Water in gear oil 1999 8ML

[Skidude17]

I have a 1999 8ML (8hp 2stroke tiller) as a kicker on a new to me boat in June. It started and ran great every time I used it this summer...but when I went to change the gear oil I saw milk. What all do I need to tear apart and check / change? I was already planning on changing the impeller.

 

[jimmbo]

Did you check the Oil before you bought it? If so did you use new gaskets/seals on the Drain/Fill/Vent screws, or reused the Old Ones? If you didn't check it the Previous Owner might have Cheaped Out and reused them. Might just be these gaskets/seals are the issue. Also check the Propshaft Seal for Fishing Line. The Seals below the Water Pump are often where water gets in when they are Old or Worn.
Best is to get the Unit pressure-Vacuum tested.

 

[Skidude17]

Did you check the Oil before you bought it? If so did you use new gaskets/seals on the Drain/Fill/Vent screws, or reused the Old Ones? If you didn't check it the Previous Owner might have Cheaped Out and reused them. Might just be these gaskets/seals are the issue. Also check the Propshaft Seal for Fishing Line. The Seals below the Water Pump are often where water gets in when they are Old or Worn.
Best is to get the Unit pressure-Vacuum tested.

I did not check the oil. The seals on the vent/drain plugs looked good, but hard to say. I was about to start taking it apart to replace the impeller, but the water in oil took the wind out of my sails, and I wanted to know where to look before I started to take things apart. Thanks for giving me a starting point.

 

[jimmbo]

The Seal/Gaskets are cheap and replacing them removes one potential source of entry. Cue the "I have reused them for 10 yrs, and never had a Problem" crowd... I guess they were lucky

 

[Skidude17]

The Seal/Gaskets are cheap and replacing them removes one potential source of entry. Cue the "I have reused them for 10 yrs, and never had a Problem" crowd... I guess they were lucky

I already have replacement gaskets since I was changing the oil anyway. I never quite understood why there was all the conversation on pressure testing a drive, and even how to do it. I watched a couple youtube videos, and now I get it. That is how you figure out if you are going to have an oil/water leak prior to putting the boat in the water, and saving yourself the headache of chasing it down. Before watching the videos, I couldn't figure out how I was supposed to seal the drive, and where I should even put the pressure tester. My favorite video of the several I watched was by Dangar Marine. He shows a good way of putting one together, and why you do it. I would go as far as to say either his video or one like it should be posted on the stickys. The link to Dangar's video is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnhZFn5gkG4

 

[jimmbo]

Stu has some good stuff on his channel.