Johnson outboard trouble

[redfrog]

I'm new to the forum. I'm wondering if someone can help me;
I was on the lake today with my 1989 70hp Johnson motor.
I was running along full throttle, when it was like it popped out of gear and the motor just reved up.
Got the boat out of the water, pulled the bottom lower unit drain plug and there was a lot of pressure causing gear oil to spray all over me.
There was metal filings in the oil and I'm just wondering what would cause this.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Johnson outboard trouble

Sounds like something let go in the LU (clutch dog, pinion, etc.). Probably need to tear down the LU to assess damage.

 

[GMWIGGS]

Re: Johnson outboard trouble

Was the metal you found tiny specks or slivers and chunks? Its not unusual to have some tiny specks of metal in LU oil when its been in there for quite awhile. I've spun several props before and they happen just like you describe, only you can usually idle back to the dock at very low rpms. Did you check that by any chance?

 

[redfrog]

Re: Johnson outboard trouble

Was the metal you found tiny specks or slivers and chunks? Its not unusual to have some tiny specks of metal in LU oil when its been in there for quite awhile. I've spun several props before and they happen just like you describe, only you can usually idle back to the dock at very low rpms. Did you check that by any chance?

There were slivers + chunks. I tried everything; prop wouldn't spin.
When I have it out of the water + spin the prop by hand with it in gear, it feels like it's clicking.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Johnson outboard trouble

There were slivers + chunks. I tried everything; prop wouldn't spin.
When I have it out of the water + spin the prop by hand with it in gear, it feels like it's clicking.

the chunks basically means you have to dissasemble the lower unit....

the cause hopefully will manifest itself...but one issue could have been a poorly adjusted shift linkage.....you want to make sure the clutch dog drives to its full extent, both into forward and reverse...

if you try it yourself, there is a special snap ring pliers that are needed....

I couldnt find a set suitable..so i bought a heavy duty pair of extra long needle nose pliers and ground the tips down to fit into the snap ring holes...

plus you might need a special puller to pull the bearing housing out of the lower unit....mine came out easily....some dont

good luck

bob