Leaking oil on Lower unit 1989 90 hp

[bigheaded5]

I have an Evinrude 1985 90 HP VRO that I used for the first time this past summer. It worked flawlessly in every way. In the end of season maintenance, I emptied the lower unit oil and about a pint of water came out. i NEVER checked it (yes, YELL at me ..I know i know I know) the guy i got it from SAID it was changed...my bad! Any way, a pint of water came out and NO OIL..... I filled it with the right oil, and a day later there is oil seeping from the weep holes. Not a LOT but enough to run down the sked after 48 hours of sitting in the down position.

I plan to pressure test the lower unit. My questions are:

1- How high should I set the pressure? (any tips on a set up for testing?)
2- what are the weep holes for?
3- What could this indicate?

Ed (please....I know I F-ed up by NOT checking at the beginning of the season....no need to YELL at me )

 

[orbanp]

Re: Leaking oil on Lower unit 1989 90 hp

You probably need to change the all the seals on the gear case. You might as well take it off and pressure test it like that, you will see if it leaks at the drive shaft and/or at the shift rod. (It might leak at other places as well.)
You need to pump it up to about 10 - 15psi, higher pressure might blow seals. You need to jury-rig something up to one of the drain plugs that you can pump it up and monitor the pressure. A Mighty-Vac or something like that should work.
Just wondering, on the first picture, at your thumb, is that corrosion pin hole? The pressure test should tell you that too! If it is a pinhole, then you need to take apart he whole gear case and have it welded up.

Good luck, Peter

 

[boobie]

Re: Leaking oil on Lower unit 1989 90 hp

You should also vacuum test it to about 16 " Hg. It has double lipped seals and that's the reason for the vacuum test.

 

[bigheaded5]

Re: Leaking oil on Lower unit 1989 90 hp

Thank you both....Sounds like good advice. I have to take the lower unit off any way to change the impeller.... I will do both, pressure and vacuum .... Im hoping its just seals, I didnt want to have to look for a new lower unit. I AM however looking for a spare motor for parts...for the future.

Thanks again
Ed

 

[powrguy]

Re: Leaking oil on Lower unit 1989 90 hp

I'm no expert, but there are no "weep holes" in the lower unit gearcase that I'm aware of. Those look like corrosion pinholes to me, but maybe someone more Expert can comment. I think you'll find that you might need more than new seals.....

 

[boobie]

Re: Leaking oil on Lower unit 1989 90 hp

He'll find that out on the pressure and vacuum check. And they do have "weep" holes.

 

[powrguy]

Re: Leaking oil on Lower unit 1989 90 hp

He'll find that out on the pressure and vacuum check. And they do have "weep" holes.

Hmmm.

Weep holes in the locations he indicates? Do the "weep holes" have check valves, to keep the oil from being contaminated underwater?

 

[boobie]

Re: Leaking oil on Lower unit 1989 90 hp

Water,exhaust and unburned fuel/oil come out of them. They were put in for self draing so the mtr wouldn't freeze and bust in the winter time.

 

[MACH1SCJ]

Re: Leaking oil on Lower unit 1989 90 hp

I'm no expert, but there are no "weep holes" in the lower unit gearcase that I'm aware of. Those look like corrosion pinholes to me....

It is hard to tell, I agree, right at the tip of his thumb looks like corrision pinholes to me also.

 

[bigheaded5]

Re: Leaking oil on Lower unit 1989 90 hp

I cant tell you that they are FACTORY weep holes, but they are perfectly round, and there is no sign of corrosion on the lower unit in that area. I believe they are weep holes for exactly what someone here stated they are for. After I run the motor on land, you can see the after burn coming out of them for a bit. My concern is that what I'm seeing NOW isn't after burn, its gear oil....I haven't had time to pressure test yet...Ill post when I do.

 

[mrmamiller]

Re: Leaking oil on Lower unit 1989 90 hp

I have a 1986 Johnson 110 HP and I have the identical holes (factory holes). Can't remember if anything looking like oil comes out.

 

[V153]

Re: Leaking oil on Lower unit 1989 90 hp

Water,exhaust and unburned fuel/oil come out of them. They were put in for self draing so the mtr wouldn't freeze and bust in the winter time.

Correct. I have 3 gearcases from that era & the holes are in all of them.

edit. In your case my guess would be the shift rod seal as the primary offender.