Slight leak lower unit seep

[fshnfool]

I noticed the attached minor leak in my lower until. Boat has not been run for a week and ran fine when we went out. Not sure what the fluid is. It is not fuel but it is clear. Anyone have anything like this before? Thanks for help.

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

Taste it if it's a saltwater outboard, it's most likely (salt)water from inside the lower unit.
Not sure where this water inlet goes, but if it's water i would not worry.
Chris

 

[fshnfool]

Definitely not saltwater.

 

[SkunkBoat]

It can only be water (possibly mixed with exhaust ) or gear oil.
If it was gear oil I think you would know because you'd have an oil slick around the boat.

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

Definitely not saltwater.

Then its first saltwater and after you flush it becomes freshwater?

The hole there is a water inlet, probably for upper part of lower unit, if it's not oily then everything is fine.
What Yamaha outboard is it, you may find a explanation on a exploded view.
Chris

 

[fshnfool]

Thank you for all the comments. There was some sheen in the water from the droplets. That is what had me notice it at all.

 

[igblack87]

It can only be water (possibly mixed with exhaust ) or gear oil.
If it was gear oil I think you would know because you'd have an oil slick around the boat.

Might it be a little exhaust or fuel that hasn't burned off from when the engine shut down?

 

[enfish]

I might be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure that's the speedometer pitot tube input you have circled in your photo. There shouldn't be anything critical coming out of that hole.