175HP Suzuki Outboard leaking small film of ‘oil’ when I put the leg in the water

[LadyJ]

I have a three year old Suzuki 175HP outboard with hydraulic steering. In recent weeks when I trim the leg into the water, when I arrive at the boat, there is a thin film of oil that spreads from the engine (prob expands to about 10/15 feet from the engine. I haven’t a noticeable loss of oil as far as I can see. Any thoughts as to what is leaking or where it can be coming from?

 

[Keith-i]

Could be an oil leak from the power trim rams, the gearbox or possibly some residual fuel or oil out of the exhaust. Check the oil level in the rams and the gearbox first and look for any water contamination which will turn the oil milky.

 

[LadyJ]

Could be an oil leak from the power trim rams, the gearbox or possibly some residual fuel or oil out of the exhaust. Check the oil level in the rams and the gearbox first and look for any water contamination which will turn the oil milky.

Thanks Keith. I’m due my 600 hour service so will get them looked at.

 

[Assassin]

Any seal can leak if the engine is unused for longer periods and a thin film of oil will show around the seal, so I would suggest checking the vicinity of any oil seals with white kitchen roll with the engine dropped, but not in the water.

Dab the area but do not run it, and any tiny leaks will show up on the kitchen roll; alternatively you could dust the area with talcum powder.

 

[simonfraser]

if the shafts on your trim rams are not spotlessly clean i'd suspect a leak there.

 

[wellchilled]

I have a three year old Suzuki 175HP outboard with hydraulic steering. In recent weeks when I trim the leg into the water, when I arrive at the boat, there is a thin film of oil that spreads from the engine (prob expands to about 10/15 feet from the engine. I haven’t a noticeable loss of oil as far as I can see. Any thoughts as to what is leaking or where it can be coming from?

I had a similar problem on a Suzuki 250 outboard last year, the lower rams had some slight pitting which damaged the seals resulting in an occasional drip. I believe the same thing can happen through a build up of crystallized salt in the top of the ram caps. Fixed the problem with new rams and now kept very well greased.