2018 F175 Slow Oil Leak off the Skeg

[Ripinout]

Hi all

Opinions welcome on this one
Very Slow clear oil leak on the skeg - gearbox?
Motor was recently serviced and took it for a run, about a month later noticed this leak on the engine cover.
Pretty sure it’s started when I’ve had the boat tilted on a slight incline.
kicked it over, no issues or alarms and kicks into gear just fine.
Took off the cowling and no obvious issues to chase, no other obvious cracks or leaks on the motor down to the skeg.
thoughts?

[99yam40]

clean it good and see if you can tell where it is coming from

[DennisG01]

Hi all

Opinions welcome on this one
Very Slow clear oil leak on the skeg - gearbox?
Motor was recently serviced and took it for a run, about a month later noticed this leak on the engine cover.
Pretty sure it’s started when I’ve had the boat tilted on a slight incline.
kicked it over, no issues or alarms and kicks into gear just fine.
Took off the cowling and no obvious issues to chase, no other obvious cracks or leaks on the motor down to the skeg.
thoughts?

What specific service did you recently have done?

The skeg is the lowest thing so most leaks will drip off that. You need to follow the trail and find where it STARTS.

Could be gear oil - pull the lower unit and check seals and/or pressure test.

Can you clarify something, though?

-- You stated you noticed a leak on the engine cover, but you also said you can only see the leak (alhtough you need to look closer) on the skeg. Those two statements don't jive.

[Ripinout]

What specific service did you recently have done?

The skeg is the lowest thing so most leaks will drip off that. You need to follow the trail and find where it STARTS.

Could be gear oil - pull the lower unit and check seals and/or pressure test.

Can you clarify something, though?

-- You stated you noticed a leak on the engine cover, but you also said you can only see the leak (alhtough you need to look closer) on the skeg. Those two statements don't jive.

[Ripinout]

The bottom of the cover was saturated.

[99yam40]

The bottom of the cover was saturated.

what are you calling the cover?

[Ripinout]

So was the bottom drain bolt gasket.
drove the screw back out and then covered it in gasket glue until I get a replacement and top up oil sorted. No leaks since.
service lad must have over torqued it.

[99yam40]

I have noticed using new gaskets that retorquing the screw after a while helps eliminate the seeps.

[99yam40]

I have noticed using new gaskets that retorquing the screw after a while helps eliminate the seeps.

edit.

was this the lower unit lube drain or the motor oil drain?
I was refiring to the lower unit lube drain screw gasket

[DennisG01]

The bottom of the cover was saturated.

Oh, OK. I thought you meant the "hood" - the part that covers then engine.

[Ripinout]

edit.

was this the lower unit lube drain or the motor oil drain?
I was refiring to the lower unit lube drain screw gasket

It was right at the bottom of the skeg, so must be gear oil?
smelt different to standard engine oil.