Is this a concern?

[Bloodweiser]

Trying to prep the boat for potential trips this weekend. When I lowered the motor full down.. Noticed oil out of a weep hole..

 

[igblack87]

i think that weeps when there is an over fill or air bubbles in the lower unit. did you just change your lower unit oil?

 

[Bloodweiser]

Yes I did... That is what I was hoping for.. Thanks

 

[wspitler]

Not sure what type of outboard that is, but if it is lower unit oil you have a problem. The lower units are sealed and do not have overfill relief ports. They are required to maintain pressure when tested. It could be a bad drive shaft seal, or coming from the oil pan. The earlier years of Yamaha F225-250s have a known corrosion issue that can compromise the oil pan. If you recently changed the engine oil (4 stroke) it could be spillage, but that doesn't usually come out of a weep hole. Either way I'd investigate further.

 

[Bloodweiser]

2002 f225

 

[Bloodweiser]

Sounds like a shaft seal that is underneath the water pump. The weep hole is a indicator that the shaft is leaking. Does this sound correct??

 

[Summertop511]

Yes Or the shift shaft seal. One of them is leaking under there

 

[Bloodweiser]

Basic job? Any special tools? Tips and tricks, suggested parts to have on hand or replace as well?. There goes memerial day weekend ocean fishing.. Heading to Sierras for trout.

 

[Summertop511]

That sucks man but I have never done a Yamaha. Omc and merc there isn’t just merc has a special tool for the shift shaft. I’m sure your local Yamaha dealer has the parts. Personally I would do both and the water pump if pump is older then 2/3 years. While your in there and beer cracked and tools out. Sure there is a YouTube video to help u out

 

[wspitler]

That year F225 was one of the exhaust corrosion candidates, so I'd make sure you scope it when you have the lower unit off. Never heard of the shaft seal under the water pump leaking that bad statically.

 

[Bloodweiser]

I removed the lower a few weeks ago to fix my shifter problems. No corrosion was present. Drive shaft seal under the water pump?

 

[Late Again Grady]

Just had the exact same thing happen to me. Mine was 94 two stroke but non the less the same parts involved. It's a pretty straight forward fix once you have replacement parts in hand. Youtube is your friend. Several good videos on changing these seals.

 

[Sparkdog118]

Oil from that hole is usually a shift shaft seal. Driveshaft seal usually dumps oil out the water intake screens. When you remove the lower unit, you will see the leak. If it is the shift shaft, you can dig it out carefully with a small flat head screw driver. Be careful not to scrape the plastic housing or the shaft itself. Clean it up with brake cleaner and compressed air. Grease up the spring and lips of the new seal and press it in with your thumbs. I usually put 3m 847 around the outside of the seal to help hold the seal in place since sometimes the seal pops out under slight pressure. Weatherstripping adhesive would work also. 847 is better though.

 

[Bloodweiser]

I will get both seals then to have on hand..

 

[seasick]

To be sure it is a shift seal, you need to pull the lower unit, pressurize it with a hand to about 10 psi ( be careful, too much pressure and you may damage good seals, spray soapy water on the seals and look for bubbles. Do both shift and drive shaft. Sometimes a bad seal is obvious without a pressure test.

 

[Bloodweiser]

Replace both seals regardless of results of pressure test? Or change both seals and then pressure test to confirm seals are set?

 

[Sparkdog118]

The driveshaft seals should be replaced every 5 years or so on a Yamaha. At least here in fla. Lol. Check to see if the springs of the seals are broken under the water pump. Driveshaft should be spring up spring up and shift shaft is spring down. Pack the spring cavity with grease and I use 847 3m on the outside of the seal to insure the seal stays in place.

 

[Halfhitch]

Before you start ordering parts, Get that oil on your finger and smell it. If it is gear lube it will have a strong/strange smell compared to engine oil. If its the crankcase corrosion problem you will have plenty of time to test out the lower unit while the engine is apart.

 

[Bloodweiser]

im pretty sure its gear oil.

 

[seasick]

Replace both seals regardless of results of pressure test? Or change both seals and then pressure test to confirm seals are set?

It is advantageous to know if the seals are leaking. The pressure test and soapy water should tell you.
When you ask about BOTH seals, are you referring to the fact that there may be two seals on a shaft or are you referring to the shift seals and drive shaft seals?
Regardless, if either has two seals, one on top of the other, you should replace both. It is often not possible to remove one without damaging the second.
There was a point made about springs on the seals. A lot of the seals have a groove that has a circular spring in it to keep the seal snug to the shaft. Those springs will often break into pieces. It you see that, you need to replace seals even if they are not currently leaking.
Note that when there are two seals that may be installed in opposite directions. The seals 'seal' in one direction of fluid flow. One seal stops oil from leaking out and its partner stops water from seeping in. That is why a true test of a lower unit includes a pressure and a vacuum test. Since you are leaking oil, the pressure test will show the leak.