new problem, need lower unit help

[wmsclan]

First off, guilty as heck for not having manual, can't locate one around here.. OK, for the problem, recently acquired a hoopty boat, guy I got it from just spent a 120.00 having lower end resealed. I just pulled my plug and and came what looked like milk. (1969 Evinrude 55HP) Is it a hard project to fix this or should I spend the money at a shop and hope for better results than the last time. If it is a project I can do then can someone explain how to do it or email instructions or something? Really don't want to spend the money at the shop if I can do it, I am somewhat mechanically inclined so would rather do it myself.

 

[dw711]

Re: new problem, need lower unit help

its not a hard project with basic tools even.<br /><br />good luck<br /><br />------------------<br />no replacement for displacement!

 

[MarkC]

Re: new problem, need lower unit help

Not too hard, but I'd get a manual. It could be a bad seal, including a bad filler or vent screw gasket. If the guy replaced all the seals properly and it still leaks, then it might be a scored or chewed-up shaft (it's hard to seal a chewed-up shaft).<br /><br />You might try to narrow down the problem by looking for oil coming out somewhere. If water gets in, often gear oil comes out the same place. If you haven't seen any, that may indicate that the leak is up top (of the lower unit) where oil won't leak by gravity. <br /><br />Here's one idea: drain and pull the lower unit, put the filler and vent screws back in, put the lower in cold water for a while, then remove it and (right away) coat all the seals with soapy water (bubble mix). As it warms up (you can use a hair-dryer or something to speed it up), the air inside will expand, and you'll see bubbles at the leak. If you can figure out a way to pump air in through the filler or vent hole, you don't need to do the cold/hot thing.

 

[wmsclan]

Re: new problem, need lower unit help

Sounds like I can probably handle it.. Now the big question, I took the 5 bolts out from underneath, is there somewhere else I need to release something for thing to drop??

 

[droMac]

Re: new problem, need lower unit help

Did you disconnect the shift rod?

 

[steury]

Re: new problem, need lower unit help

Just a thought, My 1978 evinrude has a 6th bolt under the trim tab. If case don't fall after remove shift rod you may want to take off trim tab. Be sure to mark it's relative position though<br /><br />Steury

 

[wmsclan]

Re: new problem, need lower unit help

OK, I,m literally stupid here. How do you disconnect the shift rod?

 

[droMac]

Re: new problem, need lower unit help

I don't know about the '69...but on mine it's on the lower part of the power head. Look where the control cable goes into the housing and it will be connected to a rod. Trace it from there. There should be a retaining screw holding it in.

 

[wmsclan]

Re: new problem, need lower unit help

Well, never located the shift rod because there wasn't one, it finally doned on me that I have an electric shift, DUH!!! My bad, I never mentioned to ya'll it was electric. The 6th bolt was hiding under the trim tab. Now, I was able to fill the lower end with air no evidence of leaks. What i did was submerge the lower end in a tank of water applied the air and saw no bubbles, however, I got to looking at the cover for the electric shift and there was no gasket, only sealer. I lowered it into the water so everything was down under and lo and behold lots of air bubbles became visible, all from around the cover of the shifter. So, how is water getting in there, I thought the top of the lower unit should be water free or am I thinking totally wrong. The seal below the water pump/impeller and the prop are new and there are visible bubbles, is it possible that the water I'm getting in the lower unit is all from around the shift cover.

 

[steury]

Re: new problem, need lower unit help

That trim tab threw me for a loop too. I was getting water from my hydrogearcase from the shift rod also. Let me know how it turns out. Mines up for awhile for other problems so I'm watching to see how someone else does it.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />steury