lower unit

[medic2051]

Drained the lower unit today on my '75 johnson 50 hp and found milky oil. Had same problem last year, so I made sure there was an o ring on each drain bolt. can I assume water has entered the lower unit? Does this require a whole lower unit rebuild, or just new seals? Is the job a do-it-yourself type thing? I have some experience working on this motor (replaced water pump, rebuilt carbs) but do not have special tools/shop.<br />Any thoughts?<br />Thanks

 

[C-RAVEN]

Re: lower unit

best way to tell is to do a pressure test on the lower unit.<br />this will tell you which seals are giving you the problem.

 

[OBJ]

Re: lower unit

Just to add a little more to RAVENs advice, since you already know how to drop the lower unit and remove the water pump, the rest would be easy. If your not sure which seal is the bad guy and not sure of the last reseal job, just get a kit and do the whole she-bang. You can use sockets of different sizes as seal installers. Sometimes a metric will fit better than an SAE socket.

 

[medic2051]

Re: lower unit

Can the seals be replaced without removing the works inside the lower unit? I have an original manual, but it seems like major work with many special tools. Can you recommend a manual with more details than the OEM?

 

[medic2051]

Re: lower unit

Anyone?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: lower unit

OEM manual and it's contents are best.<br />There really isn't any way around pulling it down to change seals.

 

[OBJ]

Re: lower unit

Pulling the bearing carrier isn't all that spooky medic. I believe yours has four bolts down inside the carrier to hold it in place. These can be gotten to with a good 1/4" drive set and extension. A slide hammer can bump it out the carrier real easy if it's not stuck. You can get a seal remover tool at any NAPA dealer. It's a hook afair that you use to pry the old seals out being careful not to score the sides of the carrier. Same with the seals under the pump. Clean the surfaces real good and press in the new seals. Not much to it really.<br /><br />And Kenny is right....you don't get much better than an OEM manual. Us a little imagination and you can do the job......really.

 

[xikxak]

Re: lower unit

kEY WORDS " if it's not stuck" if it is,lots of luck. I just put my lower unit on the curb after attacking it with a sledge hammer because it was stuck. Tempers cost big bucks.

 

[OBJ]

Re: lower unit

LOL....key words...."temper" "sledge hammer". The two don't mix. If you have trouble with getting the carrier out medic, give us a post. There's ways to make them give.

 

[medic2051]

Re: lower unit

You guys are great. thanks a million.<br />Looks like a good spring project.