CLANG! I hit my boatlift- DF140 now leaking...

[lasik1]

Yes- I win the "Admiral Award" for seamanship- I hit the leg of my lift with my port motor while departing the dock- I swear it was the wind(twin Suzuki DF140). Engine stalled, I lifted it and inspected- 1" divot in horizontal fin above prop, prop no damage. I restarted- ran fine, went out for a 1 hour cruise. I noticed oil sheen in water around motor upon return while idling at the dock, shut it down, lifted boat- no obvious leak. Now I see oil sheen when flushing motor with flush kit- seems to come from pop /hub area, not pee hole. What have I done?

[Scotsman]

Damged prop shaft and/or seal leading to looss of oil from gearcase?
Pull prop and look, also look at oil level as well.

H.

[Aliboy]

If oil is leaking out of the gearbox, water is probably getting in. I would drain the gearbox and check it, then refill with oil and run briefly on a hose in gear to try and prevent corrosion until you can get it fixed.

[floridarob]

Yup....what they said....you probably damaged a seal in the lower unit....as adviced, check the oil level in the engine itself just to make sure....but sometimes it doesn't take much to damage a seal...you'll want to get the water out of there to prevent further damage.

[lasik1]

Thanks all-thats what I thought- engine oil is fine. Are lower unit oil plugs easy to ID? I have to reach them via floating dock.

[ReelWork]

Lower unit plugs - 2 of 'em, one at the bottom of prop axle housing and one at the top of the lower unit where the cavitation plate is.

[lasik1]

Checked lower unit oil- its full and clean- just changed at 200 hr. service 6 hours ago. Seemed to be very full- it spilled from the upper drain plug hole when I got it out. Engine oil also OK. My mechanic is out for 2 weeks. Ran the boat today and it ran fine, still had oil sheen on flushing. I will limit use until he can check it out. Prop spins freely as well.

[potty dock]

Originally Posted by lasik1

Checked lower unit oil- its full and clean- just changed at 200 hr. service 6 hours ago. Seemed to be very full- it spilled from the upper drain plug hole when I got it out. Engine oil also OK. My mechanic is out for 2 weeks. Ran the boat today and it ran fine, still had oil sheen on flushing. I will limit use until he can check it out. Prop spins freely as well.

Very full is not good! sounds like you may have water in your lower unit. Is it milky brown looking?

[no problem1]

You need to drain a small amount of oil from the bottom plug. catch it in a clear glass, let it settle. If theres water in the lower unit thats where you will see it.

[lasik1]

UPDATE- took it in this morning- mechanic thinks its the oil cooler and that it is unrelated to the impact- $240 part plus an hour of labor. I'm cautiously optimistic...

[solarfry]

Originally Posted by no problem1

You need to drain a small amount of oil from the bottom plug. catch it in a clear glass, let it settle. If theres water in the lower unit thats where you will see it.

Leave upper plug in and just open lower plug to drain a little oil into a clear container. Plastic or glass, so you can see oil. Let it sit a couple o hours if it looks clean. that will give water a lil time to come out of suspension and float to top. If you see water then you neet to check lower unit.

Check lower unit where it attaches to down housing.(forgot the name for the leg). for alignment. It could have shifted and released the exhaust housing so exchaust drips on water pump.

I don't know why they don't put rubber bumpers on edges of lifts. I am going to put one on mine. Also a crossbar ahead of arm so I don't bang into arm when docking or exiting.