Water in cylinder Johnson 9.5

[dlz]

1972 Johnson 9.5 hp
Engine has very few hours on it, probably less than 150 hours. Inherited from father in law. Engine sat for about 10 years with almost no use.

Changed the lower unit lube and used new gas and it started with two pulls of the stater rope. Ran well for several trips. Used it to go a short way onto the lake and it started and died. Restarted with effort but ran okay. When I wanted to return to shore, it started with one pull and died almost immediately. Would not start again even though the starter rope pulled easily. Went to check on it the next day and the starter rope would not pull. When I took the spark plugs out, water came out of the bottom cylinder. When I pulled the starter rope, water shot out of the lower cylinger and continued to do so as long as I pulled the starter rope.

Now the question, what should I check to find out how the water got into the cylinder? I have visually checked the head gasket (external only) and it looks like it is sealed very well with no breaks.

 

[F_R]

Re: Water in cylinder Johnson 9.5

If it truly has low hours, it almost has to be the head gasket. Whatever it is, it is a major leak. See if it still has compression on that bottom cylinder. You can't tell anything by looking at the outside.

 

[Mntom]

Re: Water in cylinder Johnson 9.5

Does that motor have water around the exhaust manifold? If so it still may have great compression but still get water in the lower cylinder because of a manifold gasket leak. That is what happened to mine.

 

[Rick.]

Re: Water in cylinder Johnson 9.5

I need to ask. Did you put a new impeller in prior to experiencing this water intrusion? Best of luck. Rick.

 

[dlz]

Re: Water in cylinder Johnson 9.5

I do not have a compression gauge however with the 'thumb' test over the spark plug holes, both cylinders seem to have equal compression.

I did not replace the impeller and as far as I know, it has never been replaced.

I have not put it back in the water yet to see if the exhaust manifold is leaking. I will try to do that today if the weather lets me get it done.

Thanks to each of you for your help. I will let you know about the manifold gasket as soon as I get it tested.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Water in cylinder Johnson 9.5

Your best bet is to replace the cylinder head gasket -that's easy. If that is not the leak, the exhaust gaskets require disassembly.

 

[Mntom]

Re: Water in cylinder Johnson 9.5

Your best bet is to get the compression checked so that you have real numbers. If they are both real close to each other then the head gasket is probably fine UNLESS the numbers are low and the same. That would indicate the gasket is blown between the cylinders. From your description I still think exhaust gaskets........

 

[dlz]

Re: Water in cylinder Johnson 9.5

I am new to this so take this question with a grain of salt as it may be a stupid question. When the outboard would not start, I rowed back to shore and immediately tilted the outboard lower unit out of the water and left it that way. Could the exhaust system have enough water in it so that the water drained into the lower cylinder causing my problem. I have been told that the exhaust system uses a reed system that may allow the water to back up into the cylinder. Again, thanks for the help. Tomorrow I will put the outboard back in the water to see if the water problem occurs again.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Water in cylinder Johnson 9.5

When you tilt the engine the power head is still higher than the exhaust housing. I don't think water could get into the cylinders from tilting the engine at normal angles.

 

[Mntom]

Re: Water in cylinder Johnson 9.5

Yes, even with tilting the motor you can have water run into the lower cylinder. had one out of the water for two weeks and it wanted to hydro lock when I went to start it. Take a look at the picture of my exhaust gasket. The oval opening is the lower exhaust outlet for the cylinder and the yellow circles show the leaks.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Water in cylinder Johnson 9.5

Do the compression test as suggested. Then you need to take the head off and have a look see. Don't delay as if you have water in the engine you need to get it out quickly or you will have a box of rust.

 

[Rick.]

Re: Water in cylinder Johnson 9.5

Lots of good advice above. I would only add that you should not have put that motor in the water without first changing the impeller and I would replace it before getting it wet again. It could be causing an overheat which could be the reason for your troubles. Rick.

 

[dlz]

Re: Water in cylinder Johnson 9.5

Well, I put it back in the water and tried to start it. It would not start. I checked the spark and both cylinders were receiving a spark. I pulled the starter rope about 10 to 15 times with the plugs out and started to notice a fine mist that did not smell like gas coming out of both cylinders. Therefore, I have a water leak that I suspect is the head gasket since both cylinders showed the mist.

Although I may not have gotten the last droplet of water out of the cylinders. I have used an air hose to blow them out and then put some WD40 in to dry out the cylinders so I do not believe that the cylinders should rust but thanks for the warning.

Although it seems that the cylinders have compression, noted by the mist coming out when turned over, I will be testing the compression and will replace the head gasket during the coming week. If that does not fix it, the next step is the exhaust gasket.

Although I realize that the impeller is approaching 40 years old, the engine does not show any lack of cooling and there was no steam in the exhaust so I don't think it is causing any current problems. I plan on replacing the impeller soon.