Black oil is leaking out of my lower unit by the propeller and dripping off. Do I need a gear case reseal?
top Probably not. What you are seeing is residual oil draining down out of the exhaust system. Especially noticeable if you ran the motor for awhile at lower speeds in colder water before you removed it from the water. It is a good idea to check the gear case fluid after you use the motor to see what the oil looks like. It should be from the color of honey to coffee. If it is creamy white and foamy, there is water in it. (Some murkiness is normal over time.) Worse is black, foul smelling and/or under pressure. This is dirty, burned lube and should be changed immediately. If you see any metallic colors floating around in the oil, you got troubles, Bunky!
