Uh OH!

[llPa1nll]

Well as I am sure this was going to happen at some time or another. Let me break it down for you. Well as most of you know I am from NH, late as it may be I winterized my boat this past weekend. Everything went as planned and I had no major problems.

The one problem I did have was when I went to drain my lower unit lube on my boat motor it came out a HORRIFIC MILKY WHITE. Yes thats right so I know I must be getting some water into the lower unit somehow. I say this before that I didnt hit anything with the lower unit nor did I have any fishing line wrapped around the prop shaft. I do take off the prop periodically during the season to check and make sure.

Well after it all drained I filled it full of new lube oil like I do every year.  Now this is an older engine not ancient but older, a 1994 Johnson 60hp.  I called some people one suggested I take it directly to a Marina and have the seals replaced right away. I called my Uncle who owns his own Marina . He said to try and replace the washers on the oil lube drain plugs. He said most likely since I didnt have any actual water in the lower unit, just milky oil, that it isnt a major influx of water into the lower unit. So my plan is too get the new drain plugs for my lower unit top off the oil again. Take it out a few times and then drain it and see if its Milky white again if it is then I know I have a problem, if it isnt then Im pretty sure that its the drain plugs. Well my question is what do you guys think and what would you do?

[surfer]

It sounds like you have already consulted some wise people, namely your uncle. I like your uncle's approach. It follows the #1 rule of fixing broke motors. Always start with the cheapest fix. Do the test and let us know.

[Jig Man]

You can buy the washers where you buy the lube.  Change both of them every time you change your lube.

[bassboy1]

You should ALWAYS change the O-rings, when you change the lube.  Otherwise, it is outboard abuse.