1986 Evenrude 70HP lower unit is getting a small amount of water in it with each use

[ChocLabDog]

Do I need to take it to a mechanic to replace the seals or is this something you can do with a manual. How many seals does this lower unit have?

Also, if I change the lower unit oil every couple of trips do you think it would do any damage to leave it the way it is? I am afraid of what it will cost to get it repaired. How much water does it take to mess up the gears? 1%? 2%?

Thanks,

Alan

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: 1986 Evenrude 70HP lower unit is getting a small amount of water in it with each

Choclabdog,
Hello to you,
Hey have you replaced the vent and fill plugs seals that you use to take off to service the lower leg unit with new gear lube? Reason I ask is if those seals are used over and over again they will not seal good and a little bit of water can get inside the lower leg unit. So change those vent and fill screws seals out first, if you have never replaced those seals before.

 

[oldslowandugly]

Re: 1986 Evenrude 70HP lower unit is getting a small amount of water in it with each

Any water is bad. Do as Big Bubba said, change those seals first. Then pressure test the lower unit and double check for any other leak. A dealer can do it or do as I did and rig up a test fixture that screws in to the oil fill hole and test with a bicycle pump and MightyVac. My tool is essentially a tire valve stem inside a short piece of plastic hose that threads into the oil fill hole. Just click on the pic for a look at it, very easy to make.