Question? Lower Unit Oil Leak

[Cartero]

I was working on my trailer today and after wrapping up I noticed three drops of oil on the ground under my outboard and one drop on the lower unit. I wiped the drop off and smelled it and it smells like gear oil. The oil looked clean. After a close look it appears to have come from a very small metal tube (maybe 1/16th of an inch I.D.) that is on the leading edge of the lower unit approximately three inches above the centerline of the prop shaft. I always thought that hole was for some type of sensor. Could it be a weep hole? The lower unit housing has four holes in the front of it directly in front of the prop shaft that water pours out of when I flush the motor. The little tube where the oil looks like it is leaking from is about two or three inches above those holes. Does anyone know specifically what is wrong when oil comes out of that hole?

The motor is a 2002 Mercury Optimax 225hp. Thanks to anyone who can clue me in on this problem.

[furniture 4 me]

the little hole is your speed-o pick up and the four bigger holes are your water intake for cooling. if you have oil leaking from these areas you may have some issues.
John and i talked about this it sounds like your water pump seal is not sealed anymore. may just need a new water pump.

[AquaHunter]

I agree with Mike. Do a pressure test on the drive before and after you do the water pump R and R

[Cartero]

Thanks for the response, guys. Ray I'll shoot you an e-mail or a PM soon.