Several years ago, 2014, I got a nasty surprise when prepping my Merc in the driveway for the summer season. The engine at that time had 23 years on it.
I just happened to glance at the 2 clear oil lines on the starboard side bottom of the power head. Those lines go from the oil tank to the oil pump to the fuel inlet hose. Noticed what looked like some hairline fractures in them and they were moist with oil - no drops. I touched them both with my finger tips and they immediately fractured/broke and began leaking. Well, after 23 years, those lines don't last forever.
Went to the local hardware store (no dealers had replacements from Merc) and bought some clear vinyl lines to replace them - 5/16OD, 3/16+ID. Easy fix but tedious: remove starter, remove oil tank, attach new lines, bleed air from new lines by letting oil flow into them from the tank thru the pump and to the fuel inlet.
Saw the same type oil lines on some Evenrude ETECs. Might want to check yours.
I just happened to glance at the 2 clear oil lines on the starboard side bottom of the power head. Those lines go from the oil tank to the oil pump to the fuel inlet hose. Noticed what looked like some hairline fractures in them and they were moist with oil - no drops. I touched them both with my finger tips and they immediately fractured/broke and began leaking. Well, after 23 years, those lines don't last forever.
Went to the local hardware store (no dealers had replacements from Merc) and bought some clear vinyl lines to replace them - 5/16OD, 3/16+ID. Easy fix but tedious: remove starter, remove oil tank, attach new lines, bleed air from new lines by letting oil flow into them from the tank thru the pump and to the fuel inlet.
Saw the same type oil lines on some Evenrude ETECs. Might want to check yours.