Issues with water in exhaust with pics

[GMCanuck]

No Title

I happened to replace this gasket last fall as well - it was allowing water from the engine's water jacket to escape into the engine compartment making a mess, so different issue...

I ended up slinging my power head from a scaffold to allow me to lift it just enough to access the gasket, without having to disconnect too much stuff. Then just laid the gasket in dry - no sealant - all went well. See photos below.

I'm also not sure how a water leak at this gasket would end up in your bottom end gear box. The gear box is sealed from the top - unless the seal around your vertical drive shaft is no good, letting water in past the water pump - again to related to the gasket. A couple of additional photos from a recent water pump replacement.

I'm mechanically inclined but not an outboard expert (yet), so I might be missing something.

 

[merc850]

It looks like gear lube is escaping from the shiftshaft boot in front of the driveshaft.

 

[oba97]

GMCanuck, I think I have two issues.

1. A leaking seal in my lower unit
2. Leaking gasket between powerhead and exhaust extension. How did you know yours was leaking?

 

[GMCanuck]

No Title

GMCanuck, I think I have two issues.

1. A leaking seal in my lower unit
2. Leaking gasket between powerhead and exhaust extension. How did you know yours was leaking?

Just to be clear, all of the photos I've provided are not related to a "gear lube" issue, just thought they'd help illustrate stuff.

As for my gasket, like I said, mine was a COMPLETELY different issue. Last fall, I just about blew up my motor when 5 of the 6 mounting bolts for the power head (bolted from below) came loose while I was on the water. This allowed the gasket to crack loose and start spilling water from the motor's water jacket. Had I not noticed the water pouring out under the cowl, I could have lost the motor completely if the last bolt had let go. Can't imagine what that would have looked like!!! So I could not simply re-tighten the bolts since the gasket was torn - had to replace the gasket.

Some more photos...

 

[oba97]

Over the winter I pulled my powerhead to do some work. I installed the new gasket and replaced the powerhead. I suspect the gasket isn't sealing completely because now I have the milkey stuff in my exhaust, all over my drive shaft,shift shaft when I pull my lower unit.

 

[GMCanuck]

From what I understand, issues with this gasket would not cause the oily residue you describe. And since your bottom end oil is milky as well, you are getting water into the bottom end. I would tend to agree with Merc850 above...your shift rod boot (or perhaps drive shaft seal) is leaking, allowing water to enter your oil from the top, and allowing oil to move out of the gear box and mix with your exhaust water above.

 

[oba97]

Maybe I will do a pressure test to check out the LU. I figure I can put about 10psi in the lower unit and stick it in my tank and look for bubbles?

 

[GMCanuck]

Sounds like an idea. Just make sure you update this thread when you find the solution, so that folks following this or reading it in the future get the full story of the repair and the results as well.

 

[oba97]

Ya, I'll let everyone know what I find. I hope to get a little work done this weekend but I have two young kids and a honey do list

 

[oba97]

No Title

I did a couple of tests today.

1. I put some pressure on the lower unit and the found the seal on the shift shaft to be leaking. I put about 10psi in the LU, I hope that didn't cause the leak?

2. I hooked up a hose to my copper water pipe and turned on the hose. I ended up getting water out my tattletale and from my exhaust pipe and some from where the copper pipe connects. I believe this tells me that my gasket between the powhead and the exhaust extension is not sealing.

Here is a pic of the water hook up and of the device I made to pressure the LU.

Please let me know if I'm off base in my thoughts.

 

[oba97]

After doing some more reading it sounds like I should be seeing water coming out from the exhaust.

 

[oba97]

I got the shift shaft bushing assembly out using a screwdriver and a couple of wacks. I'll order a new assembly and see if that's stops the water. More to come.

 

[oba97]

I'm about to replace the shift shaft bushing. My service manual says to apply general marine lubricant to the inside of the seals. Can I use marine grease or is there something different I should be using?