Any drain on the lower unit is to drain water, not oil. Unburned fuel/oil from the power head is black in color not honey colored. You mentioned having to choke some to idle?? Not something you should have to do on a motor that's in good shape. A normal progression of a gearcase seal failure is the oil comes out as the water starts getting in. I would make very certain there is not a gearcase leak. Gearcase repairs get expensive.