Changed oil in lower unit on Johnson outboard.... leaks now. How do I fix?

[jimwalt]

Changed oil in lower unit on Johnson outboard last weekend. It has a slow leak now. I changed the crush washer and am positive I threaded the bolt back in perfectly. Even used a impact screw driver by hand. What can I do now? :-(
Thanks for your help!

 

[jimmbo]

Where is it leaking? Are you sure it is gear oil?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Changed oil in lower unit on Johnson outboard last weekend. It has a slow leak now. I changed the crush washer and am positive I threaded the bolt back in perfectly. Even used a impact screw driver by hand. What can I do now? :-(Thanks for your help!

The manner in which you worded your post indicates that the lower unit is leaking at the drain screw. If this is the case and this is indeed the leakage area.... either you are mistaken and have cross threaded the screw, OR have installed the wrong washer.

If not cross threaded, the screw should have screwed in easily via one hand to its sealing point with a plain screwdriver.

Check the underside of the drain screw head.... If perfectly flat, it requires a flat nylon washer... if the head appears to have a cupped underside, it requires a "O" Ring.

 

[lindy46]

Did you remove the old crush washer?

 

[iggyw1]

Jimwalt, When you say you used an impact screw driver by hand, did you mean one of the impact drivers that you hammer on the end of it so it would spin to make it impact on the screw, as appose to an air impact driver? If so, you probably cracked the nylon washer with the impact screw driver. Take the screw out and replace the washer, and put it back it with a regular flat screw driver. If you take out the bottom screw and leave the top one in, hardly any oil would come out while you perform this little task. I would start out by looking at the washer & make sure it is not cracked by removing the screw.

 

[racerone]

Jimmy------What is the model # of this motor ?

 

[jimwalt]

Yes I removed the old crush washer and installed a new one. Based upon what you guys suggested I must have cracked the new one because I used the "hand" (not air) impact screw driver. I had to use it to get it off so I thought it was necessary to put the new one in. I'll swap out the crush washer and install the new one by hand and hopefully that will solve the problem.


Yes, it's a flat nylon washer I used and was leaking at the lower unit by the drain screw. It's a 6hp 1977 Johnson outboard (the one in my avatar).

I'll post back after I do it. Thanks again.

 

[jimmbo]

Yes, it's a flat nylon washer I used and was leaking at the lower unit by the drain screw.

By the Drain Screw, or the Drain Screw itself?