87 40 hp jphnson lube leaking around and through prop

[hydrick]

i searched forum archives and can't find exact info.<br /> i did a crazy thing and bought a boat saturday without trying it out. let me first say i tried cranking it without choking using only high speed idle,i then choked it and it fired up though idling rough.<br /> here's my question i only ran it about 2 minutes, put it in forward and then checked reverse, engine finally leveled out.when i cut it off i noticed a glob of milky lube around prop, and later oozing out of center of prop.<br /> am i screwed? i haven't pulled prop yet to check for fishing line nor have i checked gear housing for water. i did however pull both plugs and notice fuel on plugs.<br />thanks,<br /> hydrick

 

[fireman57]

Re: 87 40 hp jphnson lube leaking around and through prop

Welcome to iboats. Pull it and check it. If you drain your LU lube and it is milky you will need to change all the seals on it. This includes the drain and fill bolts. While you're in there you might as well change the water pump. You might need a prop seal if your boat has one. You will definitely want a manual.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 87 40 hp jphnson lube leaking around and through prop

Sounds like you're in for a little work. If you ran it out of water, you're going to be putting an impeller in, and you'll have the lower unit off. If it's really gearcase lube, which it sounds like, you might as well do the seals at the same time.<br /><br />Find a manual for this motor. You'll need it for both jobs. Your local library may have one you can check out.

 

[hydrick]

Re: 87 40 hp jphnson lube leaking around and through prop

i ran it on a hose. i know of the prop seal, are the other seals referred to the fill and drain seals?

 

[MGuckin]

Re: 87 40 hp jphnson lube leaking around and through prop

There are other seals also in the lower unit. Not difficult to change but a manual should be available for your reference. Fuel on plugs may be from flooding while attempting to start.<br />1 thing at a time. Flush and fix lower unit first.

 

[noydb]

Re: 87 40 hp jphnson lube leaking around and through prop

Hydrick,<br />I have a '87 40hp Johnson also. Get the factory manual. The clymer and seloc manuals are basicly useless. '87 seems to be a transition year for this motor. It's not completely like the earlier models or like the later ones.<br /><br />I started with the clymer, then bought the seloc, then got smart on the third shot and got the factory manual. A world of difference.

 

[hydrick]

Re: 87 40 hp jphnson lube leaking around and through prop

i've been called hydro all my life so i changed my viewer name to h20 instead of hydrick. thanks to all,<br />i checked the drain plug, lube fresh as a daisy and no water in lower unit. pulled top plug and and she was full to the brim. hmmmmm, i can only theorize that because the guy had this boat in a shed, pulled it out into the the sun where it sat a couple days with the fuel line connected and not vented that it may have forced extra fuel through the system? i know, if floats working properly this shouldn't of happened , but it's a theory,lol.