Sludge in lower unit housing

[SalmonSlayer]

Okay, I got the lower unit off the 88 horse Johnson so I could change the impellar. Is it a common thing to have the inside of the lower unit housing covered in a grey/brown sludge? It has the consistency of half coagulated(sp?) deer blood near where the entrance wound would be. I know, bad analogy, but that what it reminded me of. I can't tell if it is just collected crud from the exhaust or if something is leaking somewhere. I had the lower unit lube changed last year and it was fine...not milky at all. The sludge wasn't inside the impellar housing, just all over everything open to the water.

On a positive note, the impellar really looks good!:D Just a little sand inside the housing but not much. I'm replacing it anyways. I found a 2 inch piece of the rubber seal missing that seals the impellar housing to the lower unit. This is why I think I was getting low water flow, or at least partial water flow. I think the water was blowing out of the impellar housing and not as much water was going up the cooling lines. The lines all look really clean and nothing was plugged up.

Now I gotta check/replace the thermostat!

Thanks for all the help!

[STEINFISHSKI]

Outboards tend to have a little oily residue in from running a mix. When you tilt your motor up it may discharge in the cover and down the lower unit shaft. My 1995 75 horse Force was real messy like that. I'd use the best two cycle you can find to run cleaner, and pull the fuel line and let the motor run dry every time, and it will help, but not resolve the problem. You notice it more when you park in the same spot over time. Make sure a drain hole is clean to remove it from under the cover.