Lower unit problem or just carbon?

[CouchTater]

I was getting cabin fever with all this good weather and decided to clean the boat up and wax it. After I got all the wax off (i think, lol) I put the motor on the muffin to make sure the water pump was pumping good. Boat ran good but seemed like it has a slight miss to it. Anyway I put the boat back in the garage and walked out to shut the door when I noticed what looked like oil on the foot. It was running from behind the prop to the skeg. Now my question is this, is this just carbon build up or is the seal on the shaft shot? I took the prop off but couldnt tell if the seal was leaking or not cause its every where in side.

Here are some pics:

Can some one help me out on this one?

 

[bass15]

I WOULD SAY THAT IT IS OIL OUT OF THE LOWER UNIT!

 

[wrechin2]

If it wan't there before you started it It is probably excessive oil in your fuel. When the fuel sits for a while the fuel evaporates but the oil doesn't. If you want to be sure you can remove the lower and look at the exhaust liner and see if it is there also. While it is off change your waterpump (cheap insurance, most manuals annual maintenance) You can also change your lower fluid and see if it is the same color. (annual thing anyway). Would only suspect excessive oil. The thrust washer comes off, Then you will be able to see the prop seal. Could also be a bearing carrier "o" ring if lower is leaking. But I doubt it.

 

[CouchTater]

Well this morning there was a spot about the size of two half dollars in the garage floor and just as black as ace of spades. The smell is more of a burnt smell so I think its oily carbonish stuff. I guess it just needs a good decarboning...

Never did it on my boat...kinda hesitant to tackle that job.

 

[wrechin2]

I had alot of them just pour that crap out when running, they usually smoke like hell. Usually when they have been sitting a while.

 

[wrechin2]

If it is a Inline merc I know it needs decarbed. They are bad about that so are the X-flow omc's. The x-flow desigh is bad about that. To decarb is pretty simply. If you want to do a good one, just give me a call and I will explain how to do one that is simple and more effective than following the instructions on the can. 949-7556 anytime or 304-0930 after 8 or if you are on at&t.