water in gearcase - wont turn in rev

[Total Basshole]

when i bought this motor (18 hp 1972 Evinrude) it had been sitting in the water for 4-5 years unused. there was water in the gearcase, but I was told it could just be from condensation over time and was not necessarily a leak in the lower unit seals. I changed the plugs and gaskets on the fill/drain screws and replaced the lower unit lube. I have been running the motor in a bucket to dial in the carb and noticed what seems like an abundance of oily discharge in the water. I know 2 stroke will expell unburned fuel and oil, and it looks worse in a bucket, but this looks far more than normal.
My question is will the water intrude into the lower unit enough just from bucket running for me to be able to determine if there is a leak in the lower unit seals? I want to drain the newer lube to check for evidence of water intrusion but I dont want to waste the lube if there is no way I could tell from just a few minutes of bucket running.
I know pressure test is the way to go, but I dont know how or where to get that done, or if I need to pop off the lower unit to pressure test it.

I also noticed my prop wont spin if the engine is shifted to reverse (not under power). It spins fine in forward, but does not move in reverse. Am I going to have to fix the reverse gear also or is this normal and it will only spin under power in reverse?

Thanks in advance,

 

[F_R]

Re: water in gearcase - wont turn in rev

If you get water intrusion after only a few minutes, you have an extreme leak.

Don't know what you are saying about the prop spinning. Are you saying when not running? You shold not be able to rotate the prop more than about 1/3rd turn in either direction if not running and in fwd or reverse.

Whatever the case if it has been sitting in the water for 4 years with water in the gearcase, it probably isn't going to be pretty. Condensation??? That's a hoot.

 

[Total Basshole]

Re: water in gearcase - wont turn in rev

LOL I thought it was a bit of a stretch on the condensation as well, but I figure just about everyone knows more than me about engines, but I am learning quick. I do not know if I have water in the gearcase at this time.

So far I have been focused on getting the engine to run smoothly without a hiccup. I believe you helped me with that as well. It turned out all I had to do was open the needle valve about 2 full turns to make it idle smooth. The hiccup was actually from the kill switch shorting and trying to shut down the power. I think when I replace the switch it will run comfortably.

I had not tested forward/reverse yet. The gears were the next step in the process so while I had the plug wires off the other day I put it in forward and spun the prop. It did turn but had resistance. I put it in rev and it would not spin at all. In neutral it spins freely. I was thinking the rev was stuck but from what you say it sounds like I have an issue with F?

I am guessing by your "not going to be pretty" comment means you suggest I pull apart and inspect all aspects of the gearcase and lower unit before I try to run it? I just ordered the service manual so hopefully that walks me through the lower unit job.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: water in gearcase - wont turn in rev

If I'm reading this correctly it sounds like you still haven't tested putting it in gear with the engine running. IMO you may as well bite the bullet and have a go at it, what have you got to loose? If there's been water in the gearcase for 4 years it's probably toast anyway, but you just might get lucky. If it turns out that the gearcase is shot your most economical course might be to find a functional geacase from another engine that's being parted out.

Also, have you changed the water pump impeller yet? That should be high on your list of things to do.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: water in gearcase - wont turn in rev

Running in the tank is enough to reveal a leak in the LU. You can check, by running it for a bit, then removing the lower DRAIN screw. If water comes out first, then there is a leak, if the oil comes out milky white/yellow and frothy, that is also evidence that there is a leak. If, however, there is no water and only gey/black stinky oil comes out, you're ok. Here's a great link that can walk you through a reseal job when/if the time comes.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=277190&highlight=lower+unit+seal+kit+installation

 

[Total Basshole]

Re: water in gearcase - wont turn in rev

I have not tested it in gear running yet. Reason being that up to now I could not maintain low idle and I didnt want to shift it into gear at high RPM. Now that I got to low idle and was ready to test the gears, I noticed the short in the switch and had to quit there.

So I think I can replace the switch this weekend, then kill 2 birds with 1 stone by testing the gears with the motor running, then checking the lower unit oil for water.

I also have not changed the impeller but I get good spray out of the exhaust and have been monitoring it closely while running so far. I have a feeling the last owner replaced it and never used it because most of the engine parts, fuel pump and carb looked new and unused. If I absolutly need to drop the lower unit I will definately change the water pump impeller while I am in there, but I just dont want to have to take that thing off if I dont have to.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: water in gearcase - wont turn in rev

Here's another great link.

http://www.leeroysramblings.com/johnson_E-FD_15_18hp.html

 

[Total Basshole]

Re: water in gearcase - wont turn in rev

Ok, I think we are good here. Its running smooth and it turns out my neighbor is a certified evinrude mechanic (what a jerk right? he knew what i was doing and never told me till I was done), and he said the discharge in the bucket is nothing to worry about. Can anyone take a look at the video and let me know if you think I need to change the impeller based on the amount of spray coming out?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5Z2UgDZexo

Thanks for all the help. About ready for water