TOPIC: oily leak from exhaust outlet

Hi,
I have an Evinrude 1964 Lark IV 40 HP, 40473 – 40463 model.
picture attached.
There is some oily leakage from around the lower unit exhaust plate on the screw end as shown in the picture. The screw is tight. Is this just excess oil from the oil / gas mixture? It is present after running, I wipe it off and it eventually stops until after the engine is run again.
Thank you for any help or incite that you can provide-

What does it smell like? Stinky gear oil or "gassy" oil/fuel discharge mix. That's a good way to tell you where it's coming from.

Also, if the lower unit is indeed leaking gear oil, when oil goes out, water goes in. So if your gear oil is perfectly clean/clear & at the proper level, it ain't that.

HTH..........ed

it's more of the "gassy" oil smell. I was once told that if water got into the lower unit, then the oil would have a milky color and this is more like the gas oil mix. I'll change the lower unit oil but it don't appear to be that.
thanks

Has this only been run on a hose? Or have you seen it after you have had it in the lake?

After use in the water. I don't pressure clean it with a hose, just let it run in a trash can with fresh water. That's what was done prior to the picture above.

Tabbs, that pic looks like normal Johnson/evinrude to me! Keep in mind that these early motors spit out 10-20% of what they take in! Guess they wheren't worried about fuel economy back then! You may even notice an oil slick in the water when sitting idling! Matt

Hi Matt,
Yea, small slick after engine is shut off and then it dissipates.
thx

I agree, normal residue.