Hope This Is Fixable

[BigNiner19]

1991 Johnson 60HP. Motor runs fabulous since the powerhead rebuild. Unfortunately, I'm not 100% satisfied with it because of one annoying thing. For whatever reasons, I did not think to address this issue while the powerhead was off and the motor in pieces.

Down towards the middle of the outboard just above where the lower unit connects there is a gap where a TON of messy grease seeps out every time I put the motor up and back down. It gets real messy, because when I run the motor it slops the grease all on the motor and the back of the transom, especially when hitting wake, or even trailoring the boat.

I understand that I could probably just let this go, aslong as I keep pumping the grease fitting with grease it should be fine, but I really dont like the mess....especially since I have tried so hard to make everything else look very nice. Can anyone tell me what specifically must be done in order to fix this? I'm guessing there is a gasket or seal that is worn out there. What must be removed in order to get there? Thanks all

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

While I don't have a service manual for that motor, I am looking at a parts explosion for it at the moment. There is a keeper and seal on the pivot shaft, right above where your grease is coming out.

From the looks of the parts, I think you can remove the shock mounts and mounting bracket to expose these parts. If I am correct, replacing the seal should be easily done and the part is only $3.79.

One question, though - any chance that you are simply over-filling the pivot shaft assembly with grease? If you pump enough into it, it is going to come out somewhere.

 

[BigNiner19]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

While I don't have a service manual for that motor, I am looking at a parts explosion for it at the moment. There is a keeper and seal on the pivot shaft, right above where your grease is coming out.

From the looks of the parts, I think you can remove the shock mounts and mounting bracket to expose these parts. If I am correct, replacing the seal should be easily done and the part is only $3.79.

One question, though - any chance that you are simply over-filling the pivot shaft assembly with grease? If you pump enough into it, it is going to come out somewhere.

Thanks for the reply. I suppose I may be giving it more grease then needed. I was always under the impression with a grease fitting that you are to pump until it slowly begins to seep out, and thats what I do...I'll whipe the excess away and then after putting the motor up and down 2 or 3 times it will get all sloppy and build up down there again.

What exactly is the grease lubricating in that particular area? The pivot shaft? which is doing what exactly?? Also, it looks like maybe just those bolts are holding that mount on which holds the keeper and seal right?

 

[F_R]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

It lubricates the steering pivot shaft. You are simply overgreasing it. That won't hurt anything except make a mess. There are seals top and bottom, but they are installed lip up on top and lip down on bottom. That configuration keeps the water out, but does not keep grease in. In other words, you pump the grease in and it just squirts right past the seal. It will probably take awhile for it to quit slobbering even if you stop greasing it completely...which I do not reccommend. But it certainly has enough in there for now. May I suggest you use the proper grease? Verify this, but isn't it what they call Anti-Corrosion Lube or Triple Guard Grease? I'd have to look that up. Anyway it is great stuff, waterproof, prevents corrosion, and is not so runny as the chassis lube you seem to be using. But it would take an awful lot of greasing to flushout all that runny stuff that is already in there.

 

[BigNiner19]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

It lubricates the steering pivot shaft. You are simply overgreasing it. That won't hurt anything except make a mess. There are seals top and bottom, but they are installed lip up on top and lip down on bottom. That configuration keeps the water out, but does not keep grease in. In other words, you pump the grease in and it just squirts right past the seal. It will probably take awhile for it to quit slobbering even if you stop greasing it completely...which I do not reccommend. But it certainly has enough in there for now. May I suggest you use the proper grease? Verify this, but isn't it what they call Anti-Corrosion Lube or Triple Guard Grease? I'd have to look that up. Anyway it is great stuff, waterproof, prevents corrosion, and is not so runny as the chassis lube you seem to be using. But it would take an awful lot of greasing to flushout all that runny stuff that is already in there.

So is there a recommendation as to what I should do in order to clean this up, so that it does not make a mess everytime I trailor and use the boat? I have been using Marine Grease as lube. I figured it would be good for all the joints and etc for the motor.

Cory

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

How often are you greasing those pivot fittings? If I were you, I think I'd try wiping the excess off...just use an old rag and maybe some Stoddard solvent or regular enamel paint thinner to get rid of the residue.

Then, stop pumping more grease in there for awhile, if you're doing it frequently. One greasing should last quite awhile. I grease my pivots at the beginning of the season, once in the middle, and again at the end of the season, just to make sure no water is in there. In salt water, you might want to do it more often. I'm not sure what's recommended on your outboard, but my 6hp manual recommends every 60 days in fresh water and every 30 days in salt water. I'd increase the time if the boat was seldom used and decrease it if you use the boat frequently (more than a couple times a week).

What you're showing the the photo looks like grease that has been forced out of the seal by the new grease. I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[BigNiner19]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

CATransplant

I sorda did what you recommended. I went out there with some heavy duty degreaser. Laid it all over the area and sprayed it with a hose real good. Shot all the grease out of there real good that was seeping out. I cleaned and dried the mess, move the motor up and down multiple times, and have not seen any seepage of grease yet. Hopefully this fixes the problem.

I use my boat primarily in salt water...and at this time, I'm using probably about 6-10 hours a week. Depending on the weather.

I usually greased it every other month or so. The last time I greased it, a little trickle bit of a water came out as soon as the grease started seeping out. Thats when I stopped greasing it. It took quite a few pumps of grease for this to happen...that made me feel that I have not been overgreasing it.

Ill pay a little more attention to it now, and maybe give it less grease. Hopefully degreasing the area for now has cleaned up the mess and prevented and future messes. Thanks for the replies

Cory

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

hey looks like you can go awhile .i just rebuilt my mid in my 150.
it was a bear it was a saltwater motor , my retainer broke down the middle
and the seals were worn .you will need two seals ,the retainer.and the plastic bushing that goes in the top , it may be good but by the time you tear it down ,you will want to replace it all. so you dont ever have to do it again,
it was worth the effort ,do you have a lot of play,if you here start to clunk
back there you will know its time .
good luck

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

The Triple Guard grease will solve a lot of that problem.It is much thicker and water proof.
My 175 does the same thing but is getting better.The previous owner must have pumped it full of auto wheel bearing grease.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

I think FR makes a good point about using the correct type of grease.

Also, it isn't unusual or undesireable, to have just a bit of grease oozing out at that point. Yes, you should fill the pivot shaft assembly until you get a bit coming our of the seals - that is what lets you get any water out. Bear in mind that, while an outboard motor is just that - outboard, and it provides part of the visual impact when someone looks at your boat, it is still a mechanical item. This means some level of visible grease and grime is inevitable.

I would go find some of the grease that FR is talking about (in fact, I like his suggestion so much that I'm going to do this too), and re-fill your pivot tube assembly. Wipe it down when you are done and and keep some rags around to wipe the motor down after each use.

Bear in mind, too, that never having grease oozing out of that joint probably means there isn't much or any in the assembly. I am currently working on a 1974 Chrysler 10hp motor that has a bunch of minor things wrong with it. One of those items happens to be that the pivot tube assembly is frozen from lack of lube, and I am having to fight with it a bit to get it apart. Better to have a little bit of mess that a motor that won't steer!

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

i had switaced to a clear marine type grease helped a little
i just kept adding a little now a then but both my seals were shot it was
1983 orig ,mine started to get really loose and clunked once or twice
that drove me nuts .so i had to fix when i built powerhead
i wouldnt do it during your season ,it was worse than i thought .

 

[BigNiner19]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

jay_merrill

Let me know the results after you get some of the triple guard grease. I will try to find some, as Im not 100% sure what exactly it is. Send some links if any of you find the stuff.

I guess if I find it, I'll use it for all my grease fittings on my motor and say to hell with the MAG Marine Grease.

Cory

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

When you do grease it, one or two pumps is all that's necessary.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

Triple Guard is available at any BRP dealer.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Hope This Is Fixable

Triple Guard is available at any BRP dealer.

That's kinda what I thought.