Water leak at gear case & exhaust housing

[flmike02]

Is this something to worry about? I noticed it when flushing the engine after my last trip, so I replaced the water pump and it is still leaking in two spots. Does it have anything to do with the water pump? Water comes out of the spit hole just fine. At the back and on the side.

I attached a pic. It is a 1999 50hrp johnson.

 

[ob]

Re: Water leak at gear case & exhaust housing

Many will say that the leakage in your pic is nothing to worry about.And from a cooling volume standpoint I agree.However ,over time it will lead to increased corrosion at the mating surfaces and get worse.Particulary if used in salt water.I always run a light hone over both mating surfaces before reassembly after servicing waterpump and have not experienced leakage from the lower unit joint.Just a small piece of debris or tool mar could be the culprit.A very light film of PST teflon pipe joint compound doesn't hurt either.

 

[DJ]

Re: Water leak at gear case & exhaust housing

It's OK, that is not a sealed joint.

OB gives good advice, if you want to stop it.

Usually they plug themselves up, after a while.