Is this gear oil a dodgy colour ?

[duggie12]

Hi all. Just changing the gear oil on my new tohatsu 2 stroke 9.8. I've drained the old oil and it looks quite a light colour to me - light grey. Is this normal?
Thanks

[Nos4r2]

Nope, you have water in that.

[duggie12]

Oh no. Anyone any ideas re remedials?

[jambo]

Agree with nos. Need to look at seals as it's getting in somewhere.


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[A1an]

Replace fibre washers on the"fill level" and "drain" plugs, usually done when doing gearbox oil, some people don't though.

I'd run it for a bit and see if that cures the problem, if it doesn't you'll be replacing the seals.

[paddlers]

If it's under warranty I'd have it back to the dealer. Might be something simple like a washer or if it's behind the prop or impeller much more complicated (EXPENSIVE).

[samt]

Take the prop off and see if there's any fishing line behind the thrust washer. It can damage oil seals.

[duggie12]

No warranty unfortunately !

I've got new washers. I'll change oil and see how it goes.....

Thanks

[The Gurnard]

As the others say..water in the oil. could be the washers if you changed the oil.. Tt happened to my wee 3.3 Mariner two years ago .. and its problem was I had accidentally caught someones old discarded fishing braid round the prop shaft ..and I never noticed. It wore the outer rubber seal allowing the leak.. shouldn't be a hard fix even if it is a seal ?

Hey..I was too long typing..others have covered my thots

[duggie12]

Thanks guys I'll take the prop off and have a look

This is the first oil change so it shouldn't be the washers. Bolts seemed nice and tight as well

Would it be unwise to replace oil/washers and then run engine for a while and then check oil again? Or should I be investigating seals now? I'm unsure if I can do serious damage or not by operating the engine further....?

[matt h]

Exactly as samt says.. Fishing line possibly in the seal. Clean seal out without taking it out

[duggie12]

Guys, could this be the problem ?

Thanks

[duggie12]

Doesn't look like fishing line as it's flat, but it's something !

[The Gurnard]

That is exactly where the fishing braid was stuck to my Mariner Duggie. Does it feel stiff enough to have damaged the seal or is it soft seaweed ? Has some gone under the seal ?

When it happened to mine..I could some oil seep from the seal ..so I knew it was gone. I ran it while I waited a new seal to arrive ..which was a couple of weeks.. and just kept a close eye on the oil levels..I had no further issues after replacing the seal. Im no mechanic..but it was obvious how to get the seal out the Mariner..so its not a difficult job.

I would remove all the stuff round the shaft.. then refill gear box with oil and run it a couple of times..keeping a close eye on levels etc. Obviously if the oil runs out because the seal is badly damaged..I wouldn’t use it.

However Im no expert.. only telling my experience ..so perhaps someone else can offer better advice.

You PM box is full cos I tried to reply to your trip PM and got a note saying its full.

[duggie12]

Cheers donny

It's quite soft and there wasn't too much of it but it did get under the seal

I think I'll just use the 4 stroke meantime and get a new seal sorted. This tohatsu was hard to get hold of so I want to keep it tip top!

I don't know about these things but I'm surprised how easily that happened, thought they would be made seaweed/fishing line proof!

Cleared my inbox if you want to re send

[Fenlander]

>>>surprised how easily that happened, thought they would be made seaweed/fishing line proof!

It's just a chance thing... never had it with any of the ten outboards owned over the last decade... but next week who knows...

The Gurnards advice is sound so unless the seal shows signs of damage it's 99% likely to be OK.... but I know you cherish this motor so understand the caution.

[The Gurnard]

Yup..its just yer luck..only happened once to me ..in my life time too. Hope its more than just a jelly fish tentacle..but if it got under the seal..that should be the problem

The PM ..It was just chit chat on where to camp at Knoydart as I saw your post on the walking forum. I camp here and no one has bothered me at this location..but I may just be lucky. Enjoy the visit when you go..its a magic place.. Im heading off adventuring tomorrow so will be out of circulation for a week or so too. Its to be a wild weekend by the looks of the forecast...so I will stay close to shore

[duggie12]

Ach I just decided to re fill the oil and not bother with the seal. Will keep a close eye on it!

Thanks for all th advice again guys, it's much appreciated

Re knoydart,yeah the chap from the estate wasn't best pleased, saying I was spoiling the area (while he was flying his drone about all over the place !). I'm going to keep camping there but I'll take the boat in to the far west side of the bay rather than over by the land rover track.

[Xk59D]

pressure test the gearbox and you'll know for sure.

i have had a gearbox fail before with water in it as the seal failed...£££££££ atleast you caught this one though.

[duggie12]

Is that a job for a dealer?