1989 88 SPL prop shaft oil seal leak

[stormtracker]

Hi all.
I just got a 84 Glastron CVX16 with a 1989 Johnson 88 SPL somewhat cheap.
It seems to run ok but after I shut it off I noticed oil leaking from the prop area.
I assume it's the prop shaft oil seal, and have found it online. Is this easy to replace? I have rebuilt car motors, but never messed with an outboard before. Do I need special tools to pull the seals? Or, due to the age, should I just pull the entire lower unit, and do it all with a seal kit, and water pump kit, etc., and is that a DIY, or a big money boat shop job.
This is a project boat as I also need to replace a rotted floor. but wanted to get a little use out of it first.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks
Stormtracker

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1989 88 SPL prop shaft oil seal leak

is the oil black, does it had a rotten egg smell? it may not be the prop seal, it may be exhaust residue. does it smell like gas? read this:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=207285

have you check the lower unit oil for water intrusion?

 

[stormtracker]

Re: 1989 88 SPL prop shaft oil seal leak

It is black, but I don't really notice any odor to it, and there is quite a bit of it coming out, maybe a half cup so far.
Should I drain the lower unit gear oil and see if it looks the same?
I don't have a manual yet. To refill with new gear oil, do I just fill in the top hole till it comes out, or what?

Thanks for the reply
Stormtracker

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1989 88 SPL prop shaft oil seal leak

Take both the vent plug and the drain plug out - they generally have large slotted heads.

When the oil has fully drained, force the new oil in from the bottom drain hole until it begins to run from the top, then replace the top (vent) screw. As quickly as possible, replace the lower (drain) screw.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1989 88 SPL prop shaft oil seal leak

walmart sells a pump for this, back in the oil dept, next to the lower unit oil.

 

[stormtracker]

Re: 1989 88 SPL prop shaft oil seal leak

I'll have to check that out.
Well I drained the lower unit, and the oil that came out does seem different than whats leaking out. The oil I drained out looks somewhat cleaner, and not as black, (than what's leaking), and what I drained out smells like gear oil, compared to whats leaking, which is very black, and doesn't have much of a smell to it.
At this point I guess I'll refill the lower unit, run it again, maybe a little longer and see what happens.
Also I noticed the boat has no temp. gauge. Is there a temp. sensor on this motor, or how do I know if it's overheating?

Thanks for the replys

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1989 88 SPL prop shaft oil seal leak

There are two temperature switches, one in each cylinder head, connected by tan wires through the main harness to the horn in the remote control at the helm. If the engine overheats, the switch closes, grounding the horn and sounding a constant alarm.

You can test the wiring by disconnecting the switch at the quick disconnect a few inches out and grounding the forward wire to the engine block which would sound the alarm if the ignition is in the run position.