HELP! Water in lower unit and shop is worthless!!!

[racerone]

Only the vertical driveshaft comes as a 2 piece item.

 

[jimbobcooter]

I was referring to the vertical drive shaft that goes into the motor not the prop shaft. I thought that it would be much more stable once installed into the engine, but was not sure if it could still wobble enough to allow water into the gear case.

I can not argue that a 20yo motor likely needs some new rubber seals! When I originally found the problem I traced it to the vertical drive shaft seal which had zero rubber remaining around the lower seal. I installed a brand new bearing carrier with the 2 seals already in place yet I am still getting water in the case.

I priced the new shift case, gaskets, etc and it was almost $70. I am hesitant to spend the $ if my parts are in operating condition.

 

[racerone]

Then just install a new o-ring in the present cover.----This stuff is all easy !

 

[jimbobcooter]

Does the big rubber grommet on top of the shift rod case help keep water out? Simple and cheap enough to remove the case replace o-ring and case gasket. Anything else help keep water out besides that o-ring?

 

[Johark53]

Usually if you're getting water in your gear case set the motor on a down trim let it sit for a couple days you should see oil leaking somewhere if it's leaking out of your prop your lower seal is blown if it's seeping out of your Top Fin the O-ring may be damaged when installing the lower unit then of course you have fill a ring and vent O-rings if all else fails it may be seeping out of the top drive shaft seal

 

[racerone]

The big rubber grommet has nothing to do with keeping water out !---Propshaft has 2 oil seals on it as well as the big o-ring on that bearing carrier.

 

[jimbobcooter]

Ok I got my new o-rings and gasket for the shift rod and housing. I was reading the manual and it sounds like I have to remove the shift rod. If I am just replacing the o-ring seals on the shift rod can I just remove the cover slide it up the shift rod, replace the o-rings and then re-install? I would like to not remove the shift rod unless necessary. Please let me know if this is possible.

 

[racerone]

??---Just not possible you have to remove the shift rod !

 

[jimbobcooter]

Removed the shift rod and replaced the o-rings (which did not appear to be in too bad of shape & there were 2 of them so apparently I have the new design already).

I took several measurements to document the shift rod height prior to removal, but I am still uncertain that I got it back at a proper height. I have free spinning prop in neutral and it shifts into fwd and reverse although slightly more abrupt/noisy then I remember. Is there cause for concern?

I also noticed that with the engine off I can shift either fwd or reverse but not both freely. If it shifts fwd...reverse offers resistance until the prop is manually turned slightly...then it will slide into reverse and fwd becomes difficult until the prop is again turned.

 

[racerone]

The motor must be turning or someone must turn the prop when shifting.---Don't ask, that is the way most motors are !

 

[jimbobcooter]

OK thanks for the insight. So from what I stated in #29 there is no cause for concern regarding shift rod height? Anything I should watch out for other than not engaging/disengaging?

Thanks everyone for the help...I know now that if I am still getting water in the gear case it has to be coming from the prop shaft seal and I will need to dig in there.