71 Johnson sheds water from gearcase plugs...

[Colwell87]

Hey guys,

I recently bought a 60 horse 1971 Johnson 3 cylinder outboard and after messing with the ignition and getting help from the forum, I was able to get it to fire. Unfortunately, being entirely new to boat motors, hooked up the 'ears' to the water intake, turned the hose on and fire her up. She started great, sounds some what smooth and fires every time.

Problem, I didn't look into the gear case oil and when I saw water pouring from the gear case drain and level plugs, I figured those were water ports, as clean as the water was coming out. So, after seeing that I have water coming out of my gear case, I'm assuming I have a breach somewhere.

I'm not getting much water to the head and I think this is why, but equally important I don't have any lube in the gear case.

Anybody have any thoughts or insights into this and where a good place to start looking for leaks would be?

I'm assuming the first thing I should do is a pressure test on the gear case?

Thanks for your help!

 

[TrueNorthist]

Re: 71 Johnson sheds water from gearcase plugs...

The leak(s) could be from numerous places so a pressure test is a good idea. If you are servicing the lower unit it is a good time to replace the waterpump and thermostat. Make sure passages are clear while at it.

 

[Colwell87]

Re: 71 Johnson sheds water from gearcase plugs...

Hey, so after further inspection, I have noticed I over reacted, potentially.

The water is coming from two holes on the lower unit. I took my thermostat off to see if there are any signs of moisture on the top end, and sure enough it was wet, but not as though water has run through it, more like condensation or maybe just a mist. What I'm curious about is if the two holes on the lower unit are normal, one looks like it is and its right below the water intake, the other, which is top right of the intake looks less clean, almost like a puncture.

Again, its a 60esl71c

 

[TrueNorthist]

Re: 71 Johnson sheds water from gearcase plugs...

An image would be very useful here.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: 71 Johnson sheds water from gearcase plugs...

There are seals under the water pump, that are supposed to keep water out of the gearcase. They do go bad and pump the water into the gearcase instead of the powerhead. The water coming out of the fill plugs probably means those gaskets are bad also. Sound like time to reseal the whole lower unit. Also, there are supposed to be screw in plugs in those holes.

 

[Colwell87]

Re: 71 Johnson sheds water from gearcase plugs...

Thanks for your responses!

The gearcase plugs are in the proper place and I have no water coming from there, although the oil was slightly brown.

What I'm looking into right now are the two holes are the lower unit, one right above the water intake and to the right, and the other is just below the intake. Water comes out of these two holes and when I plug them, water eventually works it way up through the head. One of the holes look factory, the other is a little rough looking, so I'm concerned its not meant to be there. Any thoughts?

 

[82rude]

Re: 71 Johnson sheds water from gearcase plugs...

their suppose to be there.dont scare yourself like that.