Patent ID: 7223139

Claim:
An outboard motor comprising an internal combustion engine, an exhaust conduit disposed below the engine, the exhaust conduit forming a first exhaust passage to discharge exhaust gases from the engine, a lubricant pan disposed below the engine for containing a reservoir of lubricant for the engine, at least a portion of the lubricant pan extending about at least a portion of the exhaust conduit and at least a substantial portion of the lubricant pan being comprised of a plastic material, and defining at least a second portion of the exhaust passage and a protection member providing thermal protection to protect the lubricant pan from flames that descend from the engine toward the exhaust conduit and the heat of the exhaust gases, wherein the protection member is exposed to the exhaust gases, the exhaust gases reaching the first exhaust passage through an orifice in the protection member, an inner diameter of the orifice being smaller than an inner diameter of the first exhaust passage.