96 Evinrude water in lower unit.

[mandoman68]

I drained the lower unit on my 96 Ocean Pro 90hp this weekend and found water. Does anyone have any tips or advise on this repair? Should the whole thing be rebuilt or is seal replacement enough? I have the repair manual and plan to use it. Just wondering what the good folks at Iboats have to say. Thanks for your time.

 

[Will Bark]

Re: 96 Evinrude water in lower unit.

Have you replaced the gaskets/o-rings on your drain and refill screws; these generally are the first places to leak h2o.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: 96 Evinrude water in lower unit.

^^^^^

If you have not changed the screw seals when you drain/change the L/U oil, that is often the source of leakage and is a really easy fix...

If those don't fix the problem, you can pressure test the gear-case and that should pinpoint the specific seal that needs replacement, but if you don't have the proper set-up to do it you will end up having to Jerry-rig something.
Many claim that it is the shift rod seal that is the most frequent failure.

You might consider dropping the lower unit so you can inspect/replace the impeller anyway, and once you are that far, it is not much extra in time and $$ just to replace all seals while you have it apart.

 

[boobie]

Re: 96 Evinrude water in lower unit.

Drop the g/c, drain it and have it pressue & vacuum checked. That will take all the guess work out of it. At the same time install new water pump parts.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: 96 Evinrude water in lower unit.

^^^^^

The right advice!! Ignore what I suggested above. :redface:
The beauty of boobie's advice is that you get the diagnosis done now....no waiting to test the screw seals next spring.