Johnson 6hp Frozen Lower Unit? Cracked? Hole?

[mooring]

I bought a used Johnson 6 hp, circa 1978, last summer. I ran the water out of the water pump and ran some Stabil Gas through the carborator--all I did before storing it in the garage. I just checked in on it and there as a considerable amount of what I assume is gear lub/oil on the floor of the garage. There appears to be some kind of hole under the anticavitation plate that could have been the source of the leak--I don't see any oil higher up on the lower unit (stored in the down position). Here are a couple of pictures:



Seems to be what I would call a "blow out" or "pop out" that pushed out a circlular area of the finish down to the bar aluminim. Then in the center there is a jagged/rough raised area. Was to dark to tell if the hole went all the way through, but it is right at the juncture of the lower unit body and the anticavitation plate on the over side of the cavitation plate.

What is my next step?

 

[ultra353]

Re: Johnson 6hp Frozen Lower Unit? Cracked? Hole?

From what i can tell, looks to be a drain hole. If it is, There put there from the factory so any unburnt fuel has a place to escape. Its not uncommon to see this pool of black goo coming from the exh or drain holes after sitting. I had my motor stored vertically for 2 mos and the floor was clean beneath it and then i had to move it, I layed it down, a week later there was a pool of goo on the floor from the exh outlet..

 

[steelespike]

Re: Johnson 6hp Frozen Lower Unit? Cracked? Hole?

My guess is just a drain hole. Usually if the gearcase freezes it results in a crack.
Just checked my 55 5 hp Bucaneer an older cousin to your motor.
Couldn't get to it to look underneath but felt with finger and small screwdriver. On the starboard side of the mold seam
there is a hole like yours. I could stick the tip of the screwdriver in the hole.
These holes often leak fuel residue that resembles lube but smells like fuel.
Any outboard to be stored should have the gearlube changed to assure there is no water present to freeze
the gearcase. Don't disturb the small philips head screw only the larger flat drain and vent screws.

 

[mooring]

Re: Johnson 6hp Frozen Lower Unit? Cracked? Hole?

Thanks for the replies.

The hole is on the starboard side.

i checked my 1960 Evinrude 5-1/2 Fisherman (my nicknack in the basement) has a similar hole.

I had a plastic garbage back under the motor. The size of the oil spot on the plastic as about 10-inches by 15-inches. It was black plastice so couldn't tell color. There was a drip on the prop.

I'm hoping this is just natural drainage and I haven't caused any damage. It's been below zero a couple times here in WI and I know its been below freezing in that garage. I will plan to replace the gear lube in the sprint before first use.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Johnson 6hp Frozen Lower Unit? Cracked? Hole?

Make sure that these drain holes don't get clogged up with debris. If they do, then water will sit in there and freeze. These holes typically are 1/8" and clog real easy. What I would do, is open it up to about 3/16" to allow better drainage. Later motors were built with larger holes, to accomodate better drainage.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Johnson 6hp Frozen Lower Unit? Cracked? Hole?

pull the prop....have a look to see i its a leaky prop shaft seal.

 

[mooring]

Re: Johnson 6hp Frozen Lower Unit? Cracked? Hole?

pull the prop....have a look to see i its a leaky prop shaft seal.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I'm not sure what to look for there. Upon my most recent inspection the source seemed to be the underside of the anticavitation plate--which is above the prop shaft. How would the oil/fuel travel up to that location from the prop shaft.

Also thanks to all the others for helping me out--my favorite and only tool is my outdated copy of the Yellow Pages!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Johnson 6hp Frozen Lower Unit? Cracked? Hole?

pull the prop....have a look to see i its a leaky prop shaft seal.

Make sure there is no fishin' line tangled around your prop shaft too.