Johnson Hi-Vis Oil Alternatives

[racerone]

???----Shafts are spinning at 5000 RPM and 2500 RPM.-------Fact is that the seals wear out.----On seals that have been in service for 30 years or more they need to be replaced.---No need to argue the fact.

 

[oldboat1]

You can improvise a pressure tester quite easily. I just use a small foot pump with a gauge (also good for inflating boat bumpers). Remove the l.u. and test with the unit in water, using an inflation needle and some rubber gasket material. (Hold the needle in place while pumping, and watch for bubbles.) Lower unit needs to be drained before testing -- use either the vent or fill hole for pressure testing (light pressure -- 6 or 8 lbs).

A Mityvac works well for vacuum testing. If you use a pump for filling the lower unit (recommended), a similar tube and fitting also works with a Mityvac for vacuum testing -- or just use one of the rubber ends in the Mityvac kit, holding it in place to seal. Drain the l.u. (test out of water).

Will want to do the testing both before and after any resealing work. (Can get a little more sophisticated rigging adapters.)

 

[interalian]

???----Shafts are spinning at 5000 RPM and 2500 RPM.-------Fact is that the seals wear out.----On seals that have been in service for 30 years or more they need to be replaced.---No need to argue the fact.

Racer, if this comment is directed at me, I never said seals aren't consumable, just that they're original and "I have no illusion of permanence of these items". It'll be interesting to see whether changing the plug washers for the first time ever makes any difference to what comes out this fall.

I have a Mighty Vac and cobbled together parts from the oil pump and a bicycle pump to make the tests last time. I'd prefer better adapters for ongoing tests.

 

[jwall116]

My oil is the one I posted in the first post which was Pennzoil 80W90 lower unit oil after 3 uses.

The shop pressure tested my lower unit and it held pressure for 1 hour. Spec calls for 30 minutes.

The shop put Merc High performance oil in it. I will drain it in a few weeks and post what it looks like in comparison to the Pennz.

I like the feedback from this topic though! Really hoping my seals are in fact good. And YES I do change the seals on the screws every time. I order them by the 50 pack!

 

[MTboatguy]

I have a question can someone answer, I have a 2001 Johnson 150hp I bought some Johnson hi viz oil can I use it in there or do I have to use the Johnson hpf pro that people are telling me to get.

I have always been told that any good lower unit oil is fine in mechanical shift lower units. I use Quicksilver in my stuff and have never had a problem with any of them