93 johnson lower unit leaking oil

[bassackwards]

it -6 degrees outside and i was walking past my boat and noticed a small amount of oil on the floor of the garage. it looks like the oil is coming from the top port and just finally reached the ground. Is it possible that the oil froze? I pulled both the drain plugs and nothing came out. The oil that is driping is super thick. Please help. I hope its not to late.

 

[boobie]

Re: 93 johnson lower unit leaking oil

Did you change the g/c oil before you put it away? If you did it's normal 'cause I lived in those temps at one time. The oil from the upper port could be unburned fuel/oil from the p/h.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 93 johnson lower unit leaking oil

If you winterized the engine prior to storage, the unburned storage/fogging oil will coat the inside exhaust and also run down inside the midsection and out the prop. Usually it is thick, black and tarry. Not of concern. If it is clear oil, you need to check it.

 

[bassackwards]

Re: 93 johnson lower unit leaking oil

I did not winterize the motor. First winter outside of Louisiana LOL. After I posted this i went out and removed the drain and vent screws for the lower unit oil. Nothing came out. I put my kerosene heater next to the motor to warm it up and after about 15 minutes it started to drain. Unfortunatly the first thing that came out was water followed by the lower unit oil, then a little more water. I am guessing that the water seperated for the oil as it sitting for a whaile and the water froze forcing the oil upward and out the top port. On a positive note if there is any, I noticed that the vent screw did not have a o-ring on the screw. I am hoping that thats how the water got into the lower unit. I am going to refill the lower unit with new oil tonight.
I didnt have any problems with the moter last year and I fished at least 3 to 4 times a week. I'm hoping after putting the new oil in and adding a gasket to the vent screw will fix her up just fine.
Allthough I didnt "winterize" the motor, I did burn all of the fuel out of the motor so nothing would gum up in the carbs over the winter and greased all of the fittings.

 

[RadarRick]

Re: 93 johnson lower unit leaking oil

Sounds like you had a fair amount of water in the lower unit. There could be some damage from the ice expansion as well as rust - something to watch for.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 93 johnson lower unit leaking oil

Check the bottom plug after the first run in the water ... any water and time to pressure/vacuum test the LU for leakage. OEM shop manual details the procedure.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 93 johnson lower unit leaking oil

Check the side of the lower unit by the vent screw hole. Sometimes the plastic gasket/washer will stick to the gearbox, instead of coming out with the screw.