Weird stuff coming out of outboard - is this normal?

[Pshaw]

So I have a Volvo Penta 39 outboard which I have been using on and off over the last few months. I decided to test it today to check it was still all fine, and when maxing out the throttle (to burn of some carbon on the spark plug) I found this stuff coming out of the gap between the lower unit and the main bit (where the outboard can turn).

What is it and is it a problem?



Thanks,
Peter

 

[Firefly625]

So I have a Volvo Penta 39 outboard which I have been using on and off over the last few months. I decided to test it today to check it was still all fine, and when maxing out the throttle (to burn of some carbon on the spark plug) I found this stuff coming out of the gap between the lower unit and the main bit (where the outboard can turn).

What is it and is it a problem?

View attachment 37617View attachment 37618

Thanks,
Peter

have you been feeding it curry?

... In all seriousness, it looks like old grease mixed with a bit of sea water and a bit of rust... I would clean it off, find if you got a grease nipple on the joint (that age of O/B almost certain you will), and pump it full of clean grease, it may eject some more of this gunk before clear new grease comes out.

 

[mlines]

I would have guessed that a seal has gone and let in water to the lower unit, as you have warmed it up the pressure is pushing this out of the joint.

If this is the case then the seals will need checking as well as re-greasing.

 

[maby]

I would have guessed that a seal has gone and let in water to the lower unit, as you have warmed it up the pressure is pushing this out of the joint.

If this is the case then the seals will need checking as well as re-greasing.

Indeed! A friend (well, acquaintence) of ours ignored similar and subsequently suffered an expensive failure - don't leave it too long!

 

[VicS]

So I have a Volvo Penta 39 outboard which I have been using on and off over the last few months. I decided to test it today to check it was still all fine, and when maxing out the throttle (to burn of some carbon on the spark plug) I found this stuff coming out of the gap between the lower unit and the main bit (where the outboard can turn).

What is it and is it a problem?



Thanks,
Peter

I have the VP51, basically the same engine with a fancy cowl and FNR gears

Difficult to work out just what it is and where its coming from exactly.


You appear to have been running in a tank of water. Was the water level rather high and getting into the steering swivel assembly.

I am thinking like Firefly that it is a mixture of water and grease from the steering swivel.

Perhaps also running it hard in a tank there was so much turbulence that water was being forced into the swivel and very probably very little water was going up the tube to cool the exhaust with the result that the steering swivel area would have got abnormally hot. In fact you have to be aware of the possibility of damaging the swivel bushes due to overheating if the exhaust is not properly cooled.


Clean it up and regrease the steering swivel.


It would also be wise to check the condition of the gear box oil. It should be clear and bright if no water is getting in to it.

I don't understand mlines' logic regarding the gearcase warming up or how it could pressurize and force oil and water out of the top of the exhaust housing!
If anything was forced out of the gearcase into the leg it would exit with the exhaust gas and you'd see gear oil floating on the water


Owners manual at http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Vic43/library/V Penta 39 51?sort=3&page=1 if needed