2000 Johnson 130 HP Lower Unit Leak

[VanillaGorilla]

Hey guys. Fairly new to the forum. I recently bought a used boat with a 2000 130 HP Johnson outboard. When I de-winterized it last week (and ran it with the water hooked up), I noticed a fair amount of black fluid leaking from under the prop and from where the lower unit bolts to the "main shaft housing". With a closer look, I noticed that the paint on the lower unit bolts was chipped away ... which leads me to believe that the lower unit had been removed at some point (prior to me purchasing it). Also, I noticed that when viewed from behind, the lower unit was slightly "cocked" to the right in relation to the shaft housing above it. Needless to say, I'm very concerned ... I'm wondering if I got ripped off on purchasing this boat or if it was simply a minor repair (such as impeller replacement) and the seals got screwed up or broken when it was put back together. I'm planning to get it to a mechanic. I just thought I'd ask on the forum to get opinions (and hear your stories if you've had a similar experience). Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 2000 Johnson 130 HP Lower Unit Leak

Hey Vanilla.....<br /><br />What the black goop is, is the fogging oil being burned out of the cylinders. Not all off it burns out and ends up in the exhaust housing to eventually run to the ground via gravity.<br /><br />The bolts are probably missing paint cause some one may have replaced the water pump impeller. If the lower unit is cocked a little, losen the bolts that hold the unit up a little and square it off. Should be enough "slop" to do that.<br /><br />Keep us posted if ya' have any other questions.

 

[DJ]

Re: 2000 Johnson 130 HP Lower Unit Leak

Ditto, OBJ.<br /><br />You're looking at combustion residue. Also, there is no gasket between the L/U and the exhaust housing.<br /><br />The paint missing on the bolts is a good sign. Most likely someone saved you the trouble of changing the water pump. Which should be done about every other year anyway.<br /><br />The L/U does not always line up perfectly.