1996 120 force lower unit leak (help)

[heavy360]

hi everyone, i have tried to put a seal kit in my 1996, 120 force lower unit, but i'm still getting water in, just a little bit, i've seen the picture of the where the seals go, but i have two different seals that go under the impeller one is a cup style seal like a axle seal the other is not the cup style, i'm not sure which way they have to go in, and what kind of sealer should i put around them...any help would be great....thanks john..

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1996 120 force lower unit leak (help)

Mind you: I have not worked on a 96 but having done a 94 and some Mercury lowers it should be similar.

If one seal is the cup style and the other looks like a large hose washer, the cup seal goes in the case or in the lower pump housing under the water pump. You need to consult the manual to determine which side of the seal goes up. There should also be an O ring seal around the outside of the plastic part. The black hose type washer goes over the shaft on top of the pump.

The seal should be a light press fit in its seat and no goo is necessary. If the seat is worn and the seal is loose, and if it is the plastic part, replace it. You can try permatex but why gamble for a couple of bucks extra? --well, OK more than a couple of bucks, but what would a rebuilt lower cost? Weigh the benefit of cost saving against the risk of expensive gear damage.

 

[heavy360]

Re: 1996 120 force lower unit leak (help)

Thanks for the info, but i took 2 seals out from under the water pump,and 1 seal from under the shift shaft. I just can't tell which way these two under the pump go back in, the book i have does'nt show this real good. and they don't tell you that there is two different types of seals.