60' Evinrude 40hp Lark Please Help!

[BradSadoski]

I have a1960 40hp Evinrude Lark II. The engine came with a 1963 glassmaster flyer. The motor sat for about 2 years only being run in a bucket once. I brought this beauty home and it fired right up for me and kept running. I am a rookie, so bear with me. I went to change the lower unit oil with 80-90, and removed the bottom plug. There was aabout a half a cup of water that came out, followed by a neon green/ teal color oil. Also i have noticed that the exhaust port has the same color fluid running out of it after i run it in the bucket. Is it lower unit seals? How do i know which one? and finally, can it run as is for this summer and be repaired in the winter. I dont plan on putting many hours on it. Like I said, im a rookie this is my first boat and You are all very Knowledgeable people. Please help!!![/COLOR]​

 

[lindy46]

Re: 60' Evinrude 40hp Lark Please Help!

When you removed the drain plug, was there a nylon washer/seal on the bolt or in the hole? These (drain and vent plug) seals are the most likely cause of water intrusion, if they're bad or missing. The next most common seal is the prop shaft seal. They tend to get fishing line tangled in them and leak. There are several other seals in there also. You may want to pressure test the lower unit to see where the leak is. Spray a little dish soap solution on the various bolts, prop shaft, to see (and hear - hiss) where it's leaking. Get a pressure gauge on Ebay and pump it up to about 10psi. Should hold pressure if it's not leaking. Hope that amount of water didn't damage the gears/bearings.

 

[BradSadoski]

Re: 60' Evinrude 40hp Lark Please Help!

there are NO rubber O rings where the plugs go.....great...someone told me that if an outboard sits for a long time water can get in. The boat was just outside with no cover on the old Evinrude. Could that also be a possibility? and is the oil in the exhaust a sure tell sign?

 

[lindy46]

Re: 60' Evinrude 40hp Lark Please Help!

Those seals are available at any Johnnyrude dealer - I'd try refilling the lower unit and installing those seals and try it out. Run it a few times and drain the oil and see if water is still getting in. Water won't get in there from just sitting outside. The oil on the exhaust relief port is just unburnt gas/oil mix and is normal.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 60' Evinrude 40hp Lark Please Help!

Brad, After you refill and retest the gearcase, if it still has water in it, the repair is 30 min at the most. You should have 8-10 stainless screws holding the gearcase together. Using a hand impact driver you loosen these screws and spilt the gearcase. You need to remove the phillips screw on the very bottom of the gearcase, as this is the pivot for the shift cradle.

Now install a new prop seal and oring, plus the new gearcase seal, and your done. Remember the thrust washers need to fit into the grooves in the gearcase. You might assemble the propshaft in the lower gearcase half, to make sure you get it correct.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 60' Evinrude 40hp Lark Please Help!

Now install a new prop seal and oring, plus the new gearcase seal, and your done.

There is also a driveshaft seal under the water pump impeller and a shift rod seal which should be replaced while you're in there. These require some special tools. Also, might as well replace the impeller while the L/U is off.