I was getting the boat ready today and noticed this little leak out of where the prop goes in. Im guessing there is a seal that went bad. What are the other things that could be wrong. If anyone else has had this problem (assuming some of you have) can you fix it from taking the prop off or am i going to have to drop the lower unit and split it apart. 

 

Its an Evinrude 120 HP if that matters. Im assuming most motors are put together the same way.

 

Thanks For the help

First, before you do anything, did you check the LU lube? was it full and dark with no cream color? The reason to check it, it's very possible you might be about to try and fix something that ain't broke. It is very common to have a black, oily residue come out where you describe. This is nothing but oily black exhaust carbon that sometimes drains out.

Also I sure hope you know what you are doing when you start taking that LU apart? Those are not something you you want to go into without really knowing your stuff. Plus you will need a few special tools.

I have not looked at the oil yet. Thats why i came here. There are alot of people that have seen alot of things. i had the lower unit down all winter to keep water out of the housing and to keep it from freezing in the prop area. Thats how i found it today.

 

I will look into that first thanks.

Take the top plug out, if lobe comes out, notice the color, if not, use something like a tie wrap end and see how much it's low. Put the top plug back in and take the bottom plug out, just enough to see if any drops of water come out. If things look good, check it again after using it a few times.

If it's a little 1/4" or so, that's normal. You fill them from the bottom and it's not uncommon to loose a little trying to get the plug back in. Even when you put the top plug in before removing the filler from the bottom.