gearcase oil leak

[Mike_J]

I seem to have an oil leak from my starboard 50 HP yamaha. The leak is from the upper "hole", so I am surprised there is anything to leak from there.
The following photos show the leak:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/h0mgvo2jk7vwa3t/2013-06-15 18.32.14.jpg and
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i39j6qz62ty099a/2013-06-15 18.32.20.jpg

Does this look just like I have a bad O-ring? Do I need to change the oil? Looks pretty clear - not milky at all.

 

[colobear]

Mike,
This may have no connection at all but occasionally I had a drip of oil from an upper vent on my Honda fortys. I asked my mechanic if it was anything to worry about. He told me to let the engine sit for a few minutes after running before raising it for travel, that allows oil in the system to drain to the pan.

 

[Mike_J]

Thanks Barry, I am pretty sure it is coming from the upper gearcase hole.

 

[potter water]

The Suzuki shop manual insists that new gaskets at each gear oil change are required. Their gaskets/o-rings are one time affairs, and I've proven that myself. You probably should just get Yamaha brand gaskets for the oil change plugs and change them out. They are super cheap and good insurance. I'm not real surprised that you are getting a leak from the top hole. The oil in the case gets pretty stirred up under normal use and if you are even slightly overfilled...not unusual...there will be enough there to wick out through any imperfections in the plug seals.

 

[Mike_J]

Thanks, Harry. I will get some O-rings.