Just got my lower back ( new prop shaft & vertical shaft) ran her all weekend - no problem - this morning I noticed drive oil coming out of the lower water intake holes - anyone have this problem -could it be the seal around the vertical shaft allowing oil to pass into the water passage???

There are three seals between the lower and upper. Two big ones and one little one. The two big ones are different diameters, if I remember correctly.. better pull it and check. See if you have any water in the drive oil..

Good luck

Dick

My guess is the little orange seal is missing

If the boat is on a trailer try pressurizing the drive and spraying soapy water around the drive to look for bubbles. Kind of like an old bike intertube. Use an air compressor to put say 10-15psi into the lower unit through the lower drain plug. If you don't have a compressor, use a gear lube pump (with no lube) in the lower hole with about 20 strokes. Should pressurize the drive enough to find the leak. Make sure you do not run the boat any more until you ensure no water in the drive.

BT

Pulled the lower & obnoxus you are correct - little orange seal for the oil passage is missing, thank for the help OSO