Milky Oil, Another Water in Lower Unit Question..

[kameika]

Gentlemen:<br /><br />I do have a question, yet another--about water in the lower unit:<br /><br />I had some milk in my synthetic oil. I *suspect* bad O-rings on the fill plug. <br /><br />Anyhow, I let the oil settle out in a glass Jar. A Hellman's mayonaise jar, in the event you're wondering. The 16-ounce size..<br /><br />The oil settled out, after a week; and there may be about only a teaspoon of water. *maybe* At this time, 3/4th of the oil is dark. 1/4th is milky. On the very bottom, there is a very small line of water.<br /><br />Questions:<br /><br />Has anyone else allowed their oil to settle? What did you see, and what was the cause of the water leak?<br /><br />Is it realistic to think such a small leak is from those O-rings? (They've been replaced, by the way.)<br /><br />I am told that Synthetic is very, very, tolerant of water. I was told , if the LU is filled with 50% water, with synthetic LU oil (Johnson rip-off brand,) the LU is still protected. Can anyone confirm this?<br /><br />Many thanks to all.<br />Ken Ameika<br />Red Bank, NJ

 

[OBJ]

Re: Milky Oil, Another Water in Lower Unit Question..

Ken, I wouldn't trust no water no way in my lower unit. The lube may get ya' home but I would not run knowing there is water in the lower unit.<br /><br />If it were me, I'd look for the cause of water getting in and fix it. Maybe just re-seal the whole lower unit for piece of mind.<br /><br />That's my $.02 worth.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Milky Oil, Another Water in Lower Unit Question..

ditto

 

[ob]

Re: Milky Oil, Another Water in Lower Unit Question..

The emullsifiers in a quality lower unit lube will cause the water to essentially blend with the oil allowing some of its lubrication properties to remain.However ,not locating the leak and remedying the water intrusion source will cause inevitable damage to you internal gearcase components.Likely causes are leaky propshaft seals,driveshaft seal,shift rod seal,and of course the drain a vent screw seals that you have already replaced.<br /><br />I'm with OBJ.Any water is too much.

 

[kameika]

Re: Milky Oil, Another Water in Lower Unit Question..

Alright, if I were to pull the LU off (I already bought the new seals) -- I know of five bolts from the LU to the "stem."<br /><br />Having experience pulling LUs off of my 5HP "kicker," I need to disconnect the shift linkage.<br /><br />I noticed there are two access "ports," one on each side of the engine; fastened each with four bolts. Are these the access holes for the shift linkage?<br /><br />In terms of complexity, am I biting-off too much? Is this an incredibly tricky task, or simply a larger version of the 5 Horsepower engine?<br /><br />Many thanks!<br />Ken

 

[Solittle]

Re: Milky Oil, Another Water in Lower Unit Question..

Ken - Before you go rippin things apart get the gearcase vacume and pressure tested. At this point you don't know if you have a leak or not or where.

 

[ob]

Re: Milky Oil, Another Water in Lower Unit Question..

Ken ,SoLittle is correct.Locate the leak first.May be the propshaft seal,in which case would not require dropping lower unit.Unless for peace of mind you just want to reseal with all new. Not knowing what engine you have since you didn't post it,I can only assume that the two four bolt covers that you are refering to are the access covers for the lower mount dampers.I suspect your shift rod disconnect is under the lower carb area.Post the year and HP of the engine so we can be sure.

 

[kameika]

Re: Milky Oil, Another Water in Lower Unit Question..

Oops. See my response below..

 

[Texan_Ron]

Re: Milky Oil, Another Water in Lower Unit Question..

Ken-Red have you checked the upper bearing seals just under the impeller housing? which is what caused the same proplem for my father

 

[kameika]

Re: Milky Oil, Another Water in Lower Unit Question..

Oh, of course. You should be able to read my mind.<br /><br />I have a 1988 2.7L Sea Drive (OMC.) <br /><br />I did visually inspect the prop seal; dirty--exhaust residue--but very dry. No pressure test done yet. --That'll wait 'till tomorrow; I think. <br /><br />OB: You're correct. There is a disconnect under the carb. I guess I expected a disconnect someplace much closer to the LU. I assume that I will need to "snake" the transmission control pushrod up into the engine area? Ouch. Let me guess: That's the hardest part of the job.<br /><br />From your collective experience, what has been the greatest cause for leaks? --Especially very slight ones?<br /><br />Ken

 

[OBJ]

Re: Milky Oil, Another Water in Lower Unit Question..

Ken....getting the shift rod back up into the engine is not problem. Just keep the lower unit square with the mid section and it will go right up.<br /><br />Can't really say what seal goes bad the most. For the age of your engine, I would consider resealing the whole lower unit if you don't know if it has ever been done before. May be the original seals.<br /><br />But do take the advice of solittle and get the pressure/vac test done.<br /><br />And if ya' don't have a service manual, do invest in one. It can be yer best friend.

 

[kameika]

Re: Milky Oil, Another Water in Lower Unit Question..

Thank you again for the reply.<br /><br />Hi.. Well, I just put the fee on my credit card for the service manual. I hope to have it by the weekend.<br /><br />Here's my grand plan: I'll pull the LU, re-seal all; and change the pump impeller. I might as well get this done, too.<br /><br />Then I can rest easy. There's nothing worse than thinking about this stuff when next Summer rolls around.<br /><br />Many thanks!<br />Ken

 

[ob]

Re: Milky Oil, Another Water in Lower Unit Question..

Ken ,disconnect the shift rod from the shift arm by removing I believe on your engine a 3/8 or 7/16 hex headed pin bolt from it.When the lower unit is lowered ,the entire lenghth of the shift rod will come off with the lower unit.If you have never performed this operation a manual is very helpful.Most common leak sources are the fill and vent screw seals and the propshaft seal.Remove the prop and see if you can detect any lower unit oil accumulation around the propshaft seal area.The other possible leak sources are the shift rod seal and the driveshaft seals.The lower unit will have to be removed to replace the aformentioned.Good luck.