gear box contamination

alumachris

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Messages
34
i have a 1968 18 hp evinrude. i put in a new seal kit a week ago and am still getting water in the foot. (white milky ...) only used the seal at the parting line, and the seals for the prop shaft and drive shaft from the kit. could not find any application for the other seals in the kit (probably some universal kit). wonder what i'm missing. BTW how does the shifter rod seal. didnt see a seal for it. it is just a tight fit as far as i can tell.
Thanks in advance, you guys are life savers
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: gear box contamination

The seal for the shiftrod is an o-ring captured between two bushings. You may be able to flatten the existing o-ring by driving the top bushing in further, but replacing it generally requires disassembly of the gearcase. It is often the source of leaks.

See the gearcase diagram for your model here: http://evinrude.cust.shopatron.com/

You may find it beneficial to pressure test your gearcase.
 

oldcatamount

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 4, 2010
Messages
1,740
Re: gear box contamination

That shift rod seal is probably your problem. It's down inside the shift rod bushing and is a bear to get out and replace. Try using some "picky tools" like a dentist uses and pick out the old o-ring. Then "fold' the new one and pack it back in there.
 

alumachris

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Messages
34
Re: gear box contamination

Thanks, Ezeke and oldcatamount. i will try tapping the bushing from the top using a socket. hopefully that will work for a while. i would probably do more damage to the new seal trying to insert it with my dental picks. what does it take to remove the bushings after i disassemble the gear case? thats the only way that i could get it right.
thanks again fellas.

p.s. that motor has been run numerous times with this prob. the gear oil is changed before every run. have never seen any visible metal in old oil but i wonder if any damage has been done
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: gear box contamination

The method suggested by oldcatamount can only be done after removing the shift rod and you have to disassemble the gearcase to get there.

The bushings are generally driven out from below or pulled out with a slide hammer.

Sometimes you can work the o-ring in with a little oil and two small dowels without damaging the o-ring.
 

alumachris

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Messages
34
Re: gear box contamination

thanks ezeke. i'll try using a dowel the same diameter as the bore. that should keep the new seal square until it falls into the groove. just hope i haven't done any damage to gears so far. btw, i was thinking about welding a nut (to be used as a bolt head) on the end of the pivot bolt for the shifter fork (proper nomenclature?). philips slots are worn out. what do you guys think? Thanks again
 

lindy46

Captain
Joined
Nov 27, 2008
Messages
3,886
Re: gear box contamination

This is the proper tool for removing the shift rod bushing. You punch the bushing out, replace the o-ring and tap the bushing back in. With the tool it's a 10 minute job.
 

Attachments

  • punch.JPG
    punch.JPG
    17.2 KB · Views: 0

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: gear box contamination

You might want to check with sea-way.com on the shifter lever - maybe thay have a good used one in stock.
 
Top