Water in lower unit oil

[dhardin78737]

1992 88 hp johnson - Changing lower unit oil and half of what I drained was water.<br /><br />Assuming it is bad seal(s), how do I access seal(s) - thru prop or do I have to take lower unit off? I have taken prop off but it doesn't seem like I can go any further after prop comes off.<br /><br />Also, what is difficulty level of replacing seal(s)?<br />Thanks

 

[calm like a bomb]

Re: Water in lower unit oil

You will have to drop the lower unit and replace the seal.

 

[dhardin78737]

Re: Water in lower unit oil

So when I drop the lower unit, where exactly is this seal?

 

[DJ]

Re: Water in lower unit oil

Don't go too far.<br /><br />The most likely place for water to enter a lower unit is at the fill and drain plug seals.<br /><br />If you have never replaced them, I'll bet, that's your leak.

 

[dhardin78737]

Re: Water in lower unit oil

Can water get into lower unit oil by running motor with ear muffs? If so, is this a good way to figure out if it is vent/drain seals or other seals?

 

[DJ]

Re: Water in lower unit oil

You betcha it can.<br /><br />Especially, the lower.<br /><br />Change seals on both. Recheck.<br /><br />Much cheaper than a L/U rebuild.

 

[dhardin78737]

Re: Water in lower unit oil

Thanks - I am going to pick up some seals tomorrow.<br /><br />I am looking in my book and I basically see three different places where water can enter the lower unit:<br /> 1. drain/vent o rings<br /> 2. seal behind prop<br /> 3. seal under water pump/impeller.<br /><br />Is this correct and are there any others?

 

[ob]

Re: Water in lower unit oil

Shift rod seal is another potential leak source.It would require dropping the lower unit to replace.<br /><br />If you're handy with scribe tools and very careful not to score the propshaft,the propshaft seal/s can be replaced without removing the carrier.Otherwise,the bearing carrier will need to be removed to replace the propshaft seals.

 

[dhardin78737]

Re: Water in lower unit oil

I will show my ignorance now - why do you need scribe tools to replace the propshaft seal(s)? Can I just not use a small screw driver to pry it out?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Water in lower unit oil

Why not eliminate the obvious which requires no disassembly and two cheap gaskets?

 

[rwcreigh1]

Re: Water in lower unit oil

my lower unit was all water.replaced the vent and drain plugs and had no water after 3 trips(atleast 18 hours in water).i would start there

 

[duck64]

Re: Water in lower unit oil

i changed mine about 8 months ago,took a short cut and didn't change the gasket. last weekend changed it again about a half a cup of water came out. this time i'm going to change the magnetic plugs and the gasket (seal) vent and drain. 96 johnson 115 i guess i can buy them from a marina shop or a dealer<br />you get good help here<br />thanks