1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

[catfighter]

Okay, so I'm brand-new to outboard motors; this is my first one!

I just bought this motor from this guy who assured me nothing was wrong with it. It was cold when I went to look at it and it started right up (he fiddled with things in a certain order, choke, throttle, etc.).

Anyway, I noticed there was some grease on the top of the water; he said that was normal. Is it?

So I brought it home and started it (with a little "fingerbanging" I got it running), and after a few minutes I noticed the grease again.

here are pictures:

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i18/WoW_Zoth/BOAT/?action=view&current=Johnson15-1.jpg

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i18/WoW_Zoth/BOAT/?action=view&current=Johnson15-2.jpg


Is it common to have this much oil/grease on the water after idling after a few minutes? If not, what should I do before I use this thing fishing?


Thanks for the help!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

Most likely just unburnt 2 stroke oil coming from the exhaust. Not a problem and completely normal. Shows up so much more when running in a pail like that.

 

[catfighter]

Re: 1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

Excellent; thanks for the reassurance (the guy from whom I bought the motor seemed honest).

Most likely just unburnt 2 stroke oil coming from the exhaust. Not a problem and completely normal. Shows up so much more when running in a pail like that.

 

[catfighter]

FOLLOW UP - 1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

FOLLOW UP - 1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

So, I took the motor out of the water and now I have oil dripping from the shaft:

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i18/WoW_Zoth/BOAT/?action=view&current=DSC01852.jpg

This can't be normal . . . . or is it?

 

[psteurer]

Re: 1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

Yes, it could be perfectly normal or point to a problem in the lower unit. Why don't you change the lower unit gear oil. If it is a new to you motor, you should do that anyway to make sure everything is okay. If the oil that comes out is milky looking or has a sign of water in it, then you have a problem. There are posts on how to do it on this site if you don't know and also what to look for in regard to the oil color, etc.

Idling the motor a lot could cause the sludge that you are seeing since you are running rich

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

If the oil coming out is black and smells of gas then it is still unburnt 2 stroke oil. If it smells of rotten eggs then it is lower unit oil.
Good idea to change the lower unit oil anyway if the motor is new to you. If it comes out like a milk shake then you have an issue.
Let us all know.

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

Your prop nut seams overly black to me. That is compared to mine. Was it clean when you started or perhaps it is from years of use, I'm not sure. I also recommend a bit of a run at WOT at the end of the day to help purge some of the residue before taking it out of the water. What fuel mix are you using. It should be 50/1. Rick.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

Having looked at the photo it is coming through the prop......Yes ???

 

[catfighter]

Re: 1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

Having looked at the photo it is coming through the prop......Yes ???

Yes, it's coming through the propeller, and it looks like milkshake. RAWR!

I'm going to WOT this thing for 10-15 minutes tomorrow, just in case it's been idled for too long.

Also, I'm going to replace the lower gear oil, and gasket if necessary (if there is a gasket); I have a manual on order from iboats and should get it this week some time.

 

[catfighter]

UPDATE: 1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

UPDATE: 1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

Okay, so I ran the motor this afternoon for about 20min at WOT. It worked great and was freakin' awesome (my first boat).

Afterwards there was absolutely no oil leaking out of any part of the motor or propeller. :redface:

Anyway, I'm going to do a regular maintenance on it before I take it out for any extended period. Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: UPDATE: 1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

Re: UPDATE: 1983 Johnson 15hp outboard grease in water

Okay, so I ran the motor this afternoon for about 20min at WOT. It worked great and was freakin' awesome (my first boat).

Afterwards there was absolutely no oil leaking out of any part of the motor or propeller. :redface:

Anyway, I'm going to do a regular maintenance on it before I take it out for any extended period. Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions!

Looks like you cleared out the cobwebs !!!