Water in lower unit

[pecheux]

Hi y'awl. Had the LU of my 1997 Force 15 hp pressure checked by Merc dealer last spring and was told everything was ok but vent plug seal was broken thus had taken in a bit a water. Both plug seal were replaced by nylon washers. Ran all summer long last year then stored it for winter. Did not change LU oil since it is stored in heated garage. Changed the LU oil today and saw that the first liquid that came out of the LU was water ... about one tea spoon max. Since the LU was presure checked ... what do I look for now ????
Thank you,

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Water in lower unit

When you get a significant amount of water in a lower unit some residual water can still exist inside the lower unit after you drain it. Maybe verify all water is gone, fill with more oil then test it on the lake. When you are done fishing or boating for one day verify that the oil is clean and water free. If not Prop and drive shafts can have wear where the seal comes in contact. When the unit is not moving it will seal. When both are spinning some water can get in. A teaspoon of water will not harm the lower unit.

 

[pecheux]

Re: Water in lower unit

When you get a significant amount of water in a lower unit some residual water can still exist inside the lower unit after you drain it. Maybe verify all water is gone, fill with more oil then test it on the lake. When you are done fishing or boating for one day verify that the oil is clean and water free. If not Prop and drive shafts can have wear where the seal comes in contact. When the unit is not moving it will seal. When both are spinning some water can get in. A teaspoon of water will not harm the lower unit.

Thank you for your feedback. I will proceed that way. I forgot to mention something else ... I use light color (gold) LU oil and when I empty the LU (twice/season) this oil always come out black ??? Is this something wrong with the LU ? or considered normal ?

I also own a 1981 Johnson 9.9hp and upon LU oil change the drained oil always comes out a light gold color.

Any clues on the Force LU black color drained oil ??

Thank you and have a great day.

 

[Jack Daniels]

Re: Water in lower unit

How hard is it to replace the two seals mentioned above and were can you get the correct parts at? Do you have to purchase a whole lower unit seal kit?

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Water in lower unit

I have had the best luck with Mercury High Performance gear lube. It seems like it is thicker and I have noticed less leak problems with it. Those seals on that 1983 85 HP force would be 26-F506118-1. It shows the same part number for both the prop shaft seal and the drive shaft seal with a cost of $22 each. My guess is that a complete gear seal kit will be cheaper then buying each one. The part can be purchased through mercury or do a search for mercruiser dot com and go from there for part break downs. Seal kit is part number FK1063-2 and costs $60.

 

[gregmsr]

Re: Water in lower unit

Yea, and then be prepared to pay $$$$$ for shipping from them.
(Google "McCalls Marine", = cheap shipping.)

 

[Jack Daniels]

Re: Water in lower unit

Thanks for the info guys, but are they hard to replace. I have to change the impeller soon and was wondering if i should replace them while i have the lower unit dropped. I have had water in the lower unit, since i didnt have seals on the vent, drain, and fill plugs. Im assuming thats the culprit, however since i was going to drop the lower unit and if the seals arent that hard to replace, i figured i would just knock it out. THanks

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Water in lower unit

Yea, and then be prepared to pay $$$$$ for shipping from them.
(Google "McCalls Marine", = cheap shipping.)

To avoid shipping use the part number at a merc dealer instead of ordering online. There is usually no shipping charge that way as they order parts daily for their own service department.