CHANGING LOWER UNIT SEALS

[schlim]

MY LOWER UNIT NEEDS SEALS REPLACED. CAN I DO IT MYSELF OR SHOULD I HAVE SOMEONE EXPERICENCED DO IT? HOW MUCH DOES IT COST EITHER WAY??

 

[Franki]

Re: CHANGING LOWER UNIT SEALS

What outboard have you?<br /><br />do you have a service manual for it??<br /><br />how mechanically inclined are you?<br /><br />Do you have a full compliment of the necessary tools?<br /><br />Some lower units are very fiddly when it comes to changing the seals.. in fact some requrie specialised tools.. and you can do alot of damage trying to "make do" with what you have.<br /><br />It's also a good idea to do leak tests..<br />1. to see if oil can get out.<br />2. to see if water can get in.<br /><br />if you can't do either of those, (ie not equiped to) then you are probably better off getting it done for you.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[petryshyn]

Re: CHANGING LOWER UNIT SEALS

Ditto Franki-ESL10072, good post....

 

[Franki]

Re: CHANGING LOWER UNIT SEALS

Why thankyou Mr schematic.. <br /><br />I did my lower unit on a 62 40HP lark.. stripped it completely, did the seals and swapped the forward and reverse gears around as reverse electic clutch had more meat then forward, (otherwise identical).<br /><br />did it with no special tools and no manual.. but I don't think I would try that on a newer motor.<br /><br />but if you must try it Boatboy.. go slowly, carefully and if you have a digital camera, take lots of photos while you take it apart,, very handy when you are trying to work out where the thingymabob goes.. <br /><br />To be honest, I think I'd rather pull my powerhead down then my lower unit.. they suk to work on unless you are equiped..<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[schlim]

Re: CHANGING LOWER UNIT SEALS

Frank,<br /><br />Thanks for the info. The motor is a '79 Merc. I don't have any specialized tools or am that mechanically inclined. I think I'll leave this up to someone who knows what he's doing. Do you know approximatley how much a reseal will cost? Happy boating,<br /><br />jeff

 

[Franki]

Re: CHANGING LOWER UNIT SEALS

I don't even know where Sterling is.. so I am not sure how much good a price from me will be..<br /><br />I have heard people speak of between 150-400 dollars.. so it aint terribly cheap..<br /><br />How do you know your seals are bad? do you have water in your oil? <br /><br />Perhaps you should get the leak tests done first.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank