Slight leak drain plug

[captn tj]

On a new to me 2005 225, I noticed that there is a very small pool of oil about the size of a quarter over a period of 2 weeks and is definitely coming from the lower unit drain plug. The screw/plug appears very tight. Is there an o ring or other seal behind this plug?

[captn tj]

Updated: drain plug

I just looked on 'purchase parts' section an found that there are 2 gaskets. I assume that these are the culprits of my leak?

[fairdeal]

probably
sometimes referred to as a "crush washer"
the idea being that it seals well the first time it is installed
but not as well if re-used
same washer on upper and lower

if you leave the upper plug in
working quickly, you can remove the lower plug,
replace the washer and reinstall
without losing a significant amount

however, if it was me, with a "new to me" engine
unless I had real good assurance
that the gear lube was recently/appropriately changed

I would just drain & refill (w/new lube & washers of course)
that way I would stop the dripping
know that it was correctly filled with good lube
(and get some insight via examination of what comes out)

[boscoe99]

Usually there is only one gasket per plug. What is the complete model of the motor you are working on?

Sometimes a gasket gets stuck in the lower unit and if another is added to the plug it can result in a leak. Given the relatively cheap price of the gasket and the importance of that bugger it is not a bad idea to install a new one each time the plug is removed.

Too bad an O ring is not used and too bad that Yamaha does not use what I will refer to as the Evinrude lower unit oil system which has a reservoir that can be inspected to see if the lower unit needs to be serviced or not. Yamaha is slow to come up with modern technology. I bet if the EPA had not forced their hand they would still be using 6 or 8 carburetors.

[captn tj]

Usually there is only one gasket per plug. What is the complete model of the motor you are working on?

Sometimes a gasket gets stuck in the lower unit and if another is added to the plug it can result in a leak. Given the relatively cheap price of the gasket and the importance of that bugger it is not a bad idea to install a new one each time the plug is removed.

Too bad an O ring is not used and too bad that Yamaha does not use what I will refer to as the Evinrude lower unit oil system which has a reservoir that can be inspected to see if the lower unit needs to be serviced or not. Yamaha is slow to come up with modern technology. I bet if the EPA had not forced their hand they would still be using 6 or 8 carburetors.

Thanks Bosco99 and Fairdeal. this is a 2005 F225TXRD. The parts site shows two washers which is strange to me - maybe Yamaha was trying to save on parts sku's otherwise they could have used a thicker washer or an o ring.

[boscoe99]

It is one gasket per plug. Two gaskets total.

If it were two gaskets per plug the illustration would show two gaskets for the upper plug and two for the lower plug. The quantity call out would be for a total of four gaskets.

[captn tj]

thanks for the clarification - 2 on 1 plug didn't make sense to me

[DennisG01]

Just as a side note, a dentist's pick tool is a great (and cheap) addition to your tool box. Sometimes the gaskets/seals can get stuck on there pretty good. Often you can pop them out with a screwdriver, but if any remains the pick tool works very well. I got a set of 5 at HF a few years ago - might have paid $5.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Just as a side note, a dentist's pick tool is a great (and cheap) addition to your tool box. Sometimes the gaskets/seals can get stuck on there pretty good. Often you can pop them out with a screwdriver, but if any remains the pick tool works very well. I got a set of 5 at HF a few years ago - might have paid $5.

Also, if you do the oil change on a lift OVER THE open water, the gasket WILL FALL OUT as will the bolt, guaranteed..

[boscoe99]

Also, if you do the oil change on a lift OVER THE open water, the gasket WILL FALL OUT as will the bolt, guaranteed..

Bolts are as attracted to water as they are to magnets. Maybe moreso.

[chummy70]

Just did mine yesterday 70 hp etlg one washer drain plug is magnetic. Best to replace washer after draining lube.

[rodbolt17]

just remember the magnetic plug ALWAYS goes on the BOTTOM hole.
one some cases if you put the magnetic plug in the top hole it DESTROYS the gearcase.
yep I have seen that one to many times.

[99yam40]

Rod ,
why and how does it destroy the gear case.
Just curious

[rodbolt17]

on some cases, the magnet part will go in far enough to contact the upper thrust bearing at the driveshaft causing it NOT to turn which quicly leads to a case failure,typically a catastrophic failure as the metal runs through the pinion.

[99yam40]

Thanks Rodbolt,
good to know that can happen if someone screws up the locations

Were the ones you saw large HP motors or smaller ones?