Mariner 60 4-stroke burn mark below powerhead

[oivindu]

Greetings group members!
My first post to this great place. As English is my second language I hope you will ignore any strange language.
I was out today for the first time in two weeks and noticed a strange mark below the powerhead on my 60 hp Mariner (4-stroke, year 2001).

The paint was peeling and I thought that another boat has hit the engine some time during the last two weeks.

I started out slowly and was trolling for about 30 minutes. I then checked the area where the paint was peeling off and was shocked to see that a burn mark was showing (had not been brown burn mark when I sat out). I touched the spot and it was unbelievable hot. I shut off my outboard and splashed water on the area to cool it down.
Stopped my trolling and headed home without any problems. But, dear forum experts: What can cause this heat in this area of the outboard?

I will try to insert an image that I took with my mobile. If it doesnt work here is a link to a image of the burn mark: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oivindu/1443703764

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Regards from Norway

Oivind

[alan white]

I'd guess a bad head gasket or exhaust manifold gasket is blowing out super-heated air. Do a compression check on all cylinders.

Alan