I had the same thing happen on my 1995 Mercury 115. However, it did not
happen when I first acquired the boat. When I first filled up the oil
container, I ran a little high, and figured that was the source of my
"trim-up leak" all over the transom. However, when the oil was well within
the marks, I still had leaks.. never a lot, maybe 1/8 - 1/4 cup max; still
much more than I wanted getting to the water.

A couple of months later, I had the motor cover off and saw that the foam
soundproofing was saturated with oil. Further inspection showed that *even
when the container was underneath the full mark*, oil would reach the cap
when tilted. Since then I am careful to keep my motor no more than 1/2 full
of oil ( which is MUCH more than my my gas tank capacity /50 ). Whenever I
fill up gas, I just double check the level to ensure it is adequate.

It is a relatively poor design in an otherwise stellar motor.

/Ty



"Eisboch" wrote in message
...
Since new, my 2001, 115hp Mercury 2 stroke has leaked two stroke oil
whenever the engine is tilted up to get the lower unit and prop out of the
water. The engine has a plastic tank on the side of the engine that holds
the oil and is automatically mixed.

At first, the leak was slight, maybe a few drops, then it would stop. I
called the Merc dealer and was told these engines have a tendency to drip
a
little oil and nothing could really be done.

I just launched it today and trailered the boat to the launch ramp with
the
engine in the up position.
When I arrived, there was at least a cup or more of oil that had leaked
out.
I removed the cowling and inspected the tank and can not see any drips or
leaks anywhere, yet a good portion of the foam noise insulation inside the
cowling was saturated with oil.

Anybody have any ideas? I'll take it back to the dealer if I have to, but
at this time of year I will probably have to wait quite a while for them
to
look at it.

Eisboch