Johnson 9.9 1979 - Water leaking out around gear shaft area above lower unit

[glenns2012]

Hi, this is my first post here....
I have just got a Johnson 9.9 1979 L/S, I discovered it wasn't pumping water so removed the lower case to find little dowl wasn't in the impeller so it was obviously just spinning free and not pumping! I thought I had sorted it, only to find it only has drops coming out of the tell tale....
The pump is certainly working but not reaching the power head! I can only assume due to the amount of water coming out of the leg casing (where the gear select rod goes through) that the water tube isn't fitted correctly into the head / alongside where the exhaust meets the head???
I can blow through the tell tale and hear air somewhere near where I guess the pipe joins into it.....I only figure this due to viewing topics and pics??
If these seems possible how do I get to it? remove the whole leg?? This is the only area I have never fiddled with before and don't know the best way to start? I must just add that whilst sorting the pump I did check that the copper tube was firmly into the head so at the time thought all was well!!
I have no idea the best way to remove the whole leg (if need to) to be able to see if this or the gromet is the problem...
Any advise would be great!!
Thanks

 

[Rick.]

Re: Johnson 9.9 1979 - Water leaking out around gear shaft area above lower unit

To get at that grommet (and they do collapse and stop flow) you need to drop the lower unit like you did to change the water pump and then pull the power head. Not a difficult job really but a bit of a bother. You are certain you got the water tube fitted into the lower grommet correctly? Might be good to check that first. Also, make sure you have your water pump well submerged in the barrel. Many times that's the only problem, not enough water. Weed wacker line up the tell tale is a good idea to insure there is no blockage. With your motor running you should be able to hold your hand on the head for a three of four count. If you can't it is probably running too hot. Here is a fantastic site that you should learn from. Best of luck. Rick.
OMC outboard related articles

 

[glenns2012]

Re: Johnson 9.9 1979 - Water leaking out around gear shaft area above lower unit

To get at that grommet (and they do collapse and stop flow) you need to drop the lower unit like you did to change the water pump and then pull the power head. Not a difficult job really but a bit of a bother. You are certain you got the water tube fitted into the lower grommet correctly? Might be good to check that first. Also, make sure you have your water pump well submerged in the barrel. Many times that's the only problem, not enough water. Weed wacker line up the tell tale is a good idea to insure there is no blockage. With your motor running you should be able to hold your hand on the head for a three of four count. If you can't it is probably running too hot. Here is a fantastic site that you should learn from. Best of luck. Rick.
OMC outboard related articles

Thanks for the swift reply Rick,
I have checked all you mentioned, the fact that when I blow up the copper tube I can hear air escaping somewhere near the powerhead leads me to believe it must be the gromet area, that combined with water leaking back down the leg when running...I also used a wire coat hanger to make sure the tube wasn't blocked....so I suspect I will have to split the leg from the power head, I know these engines well & the lower casing etc.. just never had anything to do with removing the leg from the head and not sure how to approach it.
Thanks for the link I will have a look.
Much appreciated
Glenn

 

[glenns2012]

Re: Johnson 9.9 1979 - Water leaking out around gear shaft area above lower unit

Thanks for the swift reply Rick,
I have checked all you mentioned, the fact that when I blow up the copper tube I can hear air escaping somewhere near the powerhead leads me to believe it must be the gromet area, that combined with water leaking back down the leg when running...I also used a wire coat hanger to make sure the tube wasn't blocked....so I suspect I will have to split the leg from the power head, I know these engines well & the lower casing etc.. just never had anything to do with removing the leg from the head and not sure how to approach it.
Thanks for the link I will have a look.
Much appreciated
Glenn

I stripped it all down and couldn't find anything wrong The water tube gromet was fine, I rechecked the impeller, that was fine...checked all the water ways etc...I'm hoping I haven't been silly and not waited long enough for the thermostat to open!!
One question I have if anyone reads this is : when the thermostat is closed where does or how does the water being pumped go to?? I'm now thinking that when I was blowing up the water tube and hearing air that maybe (thermostat closed) that it recirculates somehow????
Since I had her all stripped down I decided I may as well respray it all!! gearbox, leg, tray, power head the lot!! it looks great so fingers crossed for tomorrow when I fire her up again .
Thanks again

 

[glenns2012]

Re: Johnson 9.9 1979 - Water leaking out around gear shaft area above lower unit

Just to update: I'm assuming that I didn't wait long enough for the damn thermostat to open!! She is running fine and pumping water fine now! I completely stripped her down, power head off, exhaust to check the grommet tray leg gearbox....and pleased I did as never removing the power head before filled me with dread....silly as it only took 30 mins!! and now I would happily do the same again, it also gave me the chance to sort, clen & check everything & re spray it all! here's a link to her back together and running IMG_0181 - YouTube
Thanks for your advice Rick much appreciated

 

[nwcove]

Re: Johnson 9.9 1979 - Water leaking out around gear shaft area above lower unit

just watched the vid, and im surprised the motor pumps water at all! its not nearly deep enough in the water. those pumps dont self prime. ( as mentioned by rick)