Johnson 88 SPL fuel leaking from starter mounting bolt?!

RoGun_Mako171

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 25, 2018
Messages
79
In chasing down a fuel leak on the port side of the engine, I found the fuel is coming from inside the lower starter mount bolt on the port side of the engine! After taking off the starter and having a closer look, there is no end to the bolt hole and the bolt hole continues into the crank case. I can take an allen wrench and stick it in 5 inches or so depending on where the flywheel is located. Is that normal? I highly doubt that it is normal and am thinking the previous owner ruined it and my mind is racing to think of a fix, but I'm very hopeful someone will say that's the way it's supposed to be. If it is as designed, then how would I stop the fuel from leaking out? The service manual says that the bolt only requires locktite, not any gasket sealer.

If I am as screwed as I think, the only permanent fix I can imagine is to rip apart the engine and weld it from the inside. Any thoughts on this one?
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
If the regular starter bolt works, put some gasolia varish on it and re-install it.
 
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