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Milky White Oil - Lower Unit
#13572828
05/27/20 03:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
harge57
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29 |
I have a new to me 16 ft jon boat with a 2017 Mercury 20HP 4 stroke.
I changed the lower unit oil yesterday and it was milky white/ assuming from water getting in.
I am going to replace the seals on the drain plugs, as they were not there and see if that fixes the issue.
1. What is a good place to find these seals? Can you find generic seals that will fit the plug, or is there a place in DFW that may have them in stock? I have found them online, but they take like 2 weeks to get in and charge $10 for shipping. The part is 12-895146.
2. If I am still getting water in the lower unit I will just take it to somebody. Any recommendations on where to take it? I am in Dallas at 75/635.
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Re: Milky White Oil - Lower Unit
[Re: harge57]
#13572846
05/27/20 03:56 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,773
bronco71
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,773 |
Try Mercury at Bass Pro Shops
1987 Nitro MX185/Mercury Black Max 150 1999 Triton TX21/225 Mercury Optimax
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Re: Milky White Oil - Lower Unit
[Re: harge57]
#13573018
05/27/20 06:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 459
PlanoPaul
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 459 |
Seals should fix it. Bass Pro or Cabelas will have them. If it doesn’t fix it, you might consider taking it to Brent over at Larry’s Marine in Plano.
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Re: Milky White Oil - Lower Unit
[Re: harge57]
#13573186
05/27/20 08:01 PM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,604
JimBridger
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,604 |
I would get the proper size and type O Ring from a Mercury dealer, but you can get a good quality O ring from a plumbing supply for a lot less. Tighten the drain plug screws to the recommended torque, Under tighten will leak, over tightened will easily strip.
Last edited by Pappybear; 05/27/20 08:02 PM.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. Edmund Burke
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Re: Milky White Oil - Lower Unit
[Re: harge57]
#13574645
05/29/20 12:49 AM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,082
Stump jumper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,082 |
Are you sure they are missing? A lot of times they stick to the housing.
2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax 2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
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Re: Milky White Oil - Lower Unit
[Re: Stump jumper]
#13574752
05/29/20 02:37 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
harge57
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29 |
Spot on. They were just stuck to the drain screw and in good shape. Unfortunately I think that means a larger issue. Do I need a lower unit seal kit? Is that DIY job? I'm pretty handy, but a newbie on outboards.
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Re: Milky White Oil - Lower Unit
[Re: harge57]
#13574885
05/29/20 05:45 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724
Flippin-Out
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724 |
You could be optimistic and still blame it on the plug o-ring. I would replace it, torque the screw correctly, and run it a couple of trips, then check again. If you see that water has made it back into the gearcase, it's time for professional help. I'm a fairly decent DIY guy, but my buddy who is an outboard tech told me not to try that myself. There are a number of specialty tools involved, and quite a bit of know-how. If you end up getting a seal job done, do the water pump at the same time, of course.
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Re: Milky White Oil - Lower Unit
[Re: Flippin-Out]
#13575512
05/29/20 05:02 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,082
Stump jumper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,082 |
You could be optimistic and still blame it on the plug o-ring. I would replace it, torque the screw correctly, and run it a couple of trips, then check again. If you see that water has made it back into the gearcase, it's time for professional help. I'm a fairly decent DIY guy, but my buddy who is an outboard tech told me not to try that myself. There are a number of specialty tools involved, and quite a bit of know-how. If you end up getting a seal job done, do the water pump at the same time, of course. From what my mechanic told me the crank and shift shift seals are the tough ones. The prop shift seals are not bad and most likely the culprits.
2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax 2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
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Re: Milky White Oil - Lower Unit
[Re: Stump jumper]
#13582131
06/04/20 08:57 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,136
Skunked Again Fishing
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,136 |
You could be optimistic and still blame it on the plug o-ring. I would replace it, torque the screw correctly, and run it a couple of trips, then check again. If you see that water has made it back into the gearcase, it's time for professional help. I'm a fairly decent DIY guy, but my buddy who is an outboard tech told me not to try that myself. There are a number of specialty tools involved, and quite a bit of know-how. If you end up getting a seal job done, do the water pump at the same time, of course. From what my mechanic told me the crank and shift shift seals are the tough ones. The prop shift seals are not bad and most likely the culprits. That's the one I suspect. Hook up a vacuum or pressure pump, take it to spec (10-15psi I believe), and you'll see if it's the prop seals or other seals. Tim
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