1954 Johnson 5.5 oil leak from hole in front of lower unit

Falconfanatic

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I have acquired a 1954 Johnson 5.5 CD-11 that is in pretty decent shape. The only issue I have with it so far is lower unit oil leaking out of a tiny hole at the front of the lower unit. The hole appears to be the way the lower unit casing was manufactured, but I can't figure out why lower unit oil would be leaking out of it when I lay the motor on its side. I have attached a picture of the hole (sorry for the fuzzy photo). Does anyone out there no what that hole is for and why lower unit oil would be coming out from it?

Thanks!
 

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BigB9000

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Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5 oil leak from hole in front of lower unit

Its happened to me a few times. one of the top seals is probably leaking.
could be the bearing plate gasket, bearing plate seal, or shift rod.

However, I stored an engine upside down once, turned it over, and lost all the fluid.

Even though the gearcase is leak free (no water in oil anyway) So I dont know..
 

Daviet

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Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5 oil leak from hole in front of lower unit

Is it actually lower unit oil, or could it be unburned oil coming from the exhaust draining out of the drain for the exhaust housing?
 

Falconfanatic

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Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5 oil leak from hole in front of lower unit

It sure looks like old lower unit oil. There was quite a volume coming out of the hole when it layed on its side...about 3-4 ounces. Do you know what that hole is for?
 

BigB9000

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Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5 oil leak from hole in front of lower unit

Its a vent hole.

there are a few more you cant see.

Here is that same hole from the top:

0823101819.jpg


When you laid it on its side, oil leaked from one of the seals, and puddled somewhere. when you righted it, it drained via hole.

it could have also drained from here:

0823101819a.jpg


Go here for info on resealing the gearcase:
http://www.bigb9k.com/BRP/6603e/grr.html
 

Falconfanatic

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Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5 oil leak from hole in front of lower unit

Thanks for your most excellent assistance...it is greatly appreciated.

I guess I have a little more work to do on the old girl. I haven't tackled replacing seals on an outboard but I will check out the link you sent to see what is involved.

Again, thanks for your help.
 

BigB9000

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Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5 oil leak from hole in front of lower unit

You might as well read the entire site, it'll give you a pretty good run-down of the thing.

On the older ones, I think you have to remove the power-head to remove the lower unit, not sure though.

Good luck!
 

54fleetwin

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Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5 oil leak from hole in front of lower unit

I bought my lower unit seal kit at NAPA
most difficult part was removing the shift rod bushing
 

ezeke

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Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5 oil leak from hole in front of lower unit

The kit that NAPA sells is exactly the same as the one from iboats - Sierra kit with the same part numbers.
 

Falconfanatic

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Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5 oil leak from hole in front of lower unit

Thanks for all of your responses. I am a recent user of the iBoat forum and have to say that I am very impressed with the quality of answers to my question. I will definitely be using this forum again!
 

bktheking

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Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5 oil leak from hole in front of lower unit

Have you run the motor? The reason I ask, they have a shock absorber down in the gearcase, when they break they take out the upper bearing plate in the process. Just a got ya on these motors, you'll find out either way when you drop the gearcase.
 

samo_ott

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Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5 oil leak from hole in front of lower unit

What color is the oil leaking out? It it dark LU oil or more milky white? As it's usually milky white coming out of that hole as it's a drain hole. The milky white is left over unburnt fuel/oil mix and water. It's normal. If it's clean and dark and you're sure it's LU oil then you have an upper seal leak probably.
 

1946Zephyr

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Re: 1954 Johnson 5.5 oil leak from hole in front of lower unit

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I always get a chuckle out of these posts. They usually come from those who know nothing about outboards.
 
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