55 hp Evenrude - forgot to winterize now what?

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wemmons

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I have a 1975 - 55 hp Evenrude that runs great. by mistake I never winterized and now that the snow is gone I cranked it up and took it for a quick warm up on the lake. With some fresh gas and clean plugs it started hard but finally fired up and ran fine. When I pulled it out of the water I noticed a little oil drippping from the lower unit. I got it home, drained the old oil out and water came out along with oil. I refilled it and have noticed oil still dripping from what looks like a small drain hole. Is this normal or have I messed up the lower unit and it will now need repairs? Thanks For Your Help.
 
Vic.S

Vic.S

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Re: 55 hp Evenrude - forgot to winterize now what?

Firstly not a smart idea to put your Email address on a public form, unless you like loads of spam and other rubbish. I suggest you remove it. (It is actually against the forum rules as well)

Secondly I can't find a 55hp listed for 1975. '76 perhaps ?

If there was water in the gear case you have a seal, or seals, that needs replacing although drain and filler plug washers can be the trouble. Did you leave it in the water all winter?

The oil you see leaking from a "drain hole". Is it the colour of fresh gear oil or is it black. If its black its only partly burnt fuel and oil from the exhaust. It is not normal or correct for gear oil to leak

Where is this "drain hole" that the oil is coming from?
 
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wemmons

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Re: 55 hp Evenrude - forgot to winterize now what?

I did not leave it in the water all winter as we freeze solid here in the north east. I forgot to service the lower unit and remembered that when I put the boat back in the water two weeks ago. When I pulled it out after a brief spin on the lake water and oil were dripping out. When I drained the unit half water half oil came out. After I refilled it with fresh oil it was only clear oil that was seeping out. Yes it is a "76".

What is leaking out is fresh oil. 3/4 of the way up the housing above the
actual bulge of the shaft are 4 holes with screens in them (water intakes perhaps) In line with the lower 4th hole is an allen screw. Directly below the forth hole and this allen screw is a very small hole that a little bit of oil has been seeping out of. This did not happen last year. I explained all this to a local marine mechanic and he also thought it was probably seals as well due to winter ice in the unit. No cracks on the housing thank God!! He said repair would probably be about $90 plus labor. Any thoughts? How hard is it to do this myself??
 
Vic.S

Vic.S

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Re: 55 hp Evenrude - forgot to winterize now what?

I think i can see where you mean. If those holes are water intakes then I reckon the drive shaft seals below the pump are leaking. But If the pump stayed full of water during the winter and froze there could be damage to more than just the seals.

If it were mine I'd have go fixing it myself but I'm like that. It's your call you are the one who knows best if that's the sort of thing you can tackle. A workshop manual would be advisable.

Basically the gearbox has got to come off then it should be straightforward but it would be sensible to do all the seals while you have in off. Impeller as well
 
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wemmons

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Re: 55 hp Evenrude - forgot to winterize now what?

Vic.S said:
I think i can see where you mean. If those holes are water intakes then I reckon the drive shaft seals below the pump are leaking. But If the pump stayed full of water during the winter and froze there could be damage to more than just the seals.

If it were mine I'd have go fixing it myself but I'm like that. It's your call you are the one who knows best if that's the sort of thing you can tackle. A workshop manual would be advisable.

Basically the gearbox has got to come off then it should be straightforward but it would be sensible to do all the seals while you have in off. Impeller as well
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Thanks a bunch for the help. I'm not that good with boat motors...My son in Alaska is a natural with this stufff... I guess I'll take it into the shop...
 
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