Exhaust leak in lower unit

[Incorrigible]

Engine is a J225TXESS (225hp 1990)

There is evidence that exhaust is leaking along the mating surface between the lower unit and the midsection. There are two spots on the port side of the engine where there is a black, exhaust mark.

Any ideas what would cause this? I know that in many cases water leaks through this mating surface, but exhaust? Not sure why or what impact this would have?

In another posting I mentioned that this engine does NOT pass water through the exhaust port on the rear of the engine. I do not know if these two issues are related.

 

[autohead18]

Re: Exhaust leak in lower unit

Prob exoust cover gasket or head gasket i would check that out before runing check spark plugs for any water beeds or diffrence in look color water could be geting in with pistons not sure though check plugs to be sure ALSO NOTE IT IS VERY BAD TO RUN MOTOR IF THIS IS HAPPING SO CHECK IT OUT BEFORE RUNING

 

[Incorrigible]

Re: Exhaust leak in lower unit

Compression is good and it turns out I'm not leaking water into the cylinders.

I'm trying to determine whether or not the Johnson engines mix water and exhaust (I'm pretty sure they do) and that if that water/exhaust mixture is all that's coming out. I know that Johnsons often time have water come out between the midsection and the gear case, so the question then would be where the exhaust leaks into the water, or if it's supposed to be there to begin with?????