leaking oil

[captbjack]

98 115 cross flow 90 deg v-4 leaking oil out of 1/16" size hole just to the front of the water intake in the gearcase. is this an easy fix or do i have to pull the complete gearcase apart?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: leaking oil

Are you positive it is in fact lu oil and not carbon, an unburnt fuel/oil mix? Check the FAQS for a thread entitled "Oil Leaking around Lower Unit" by IWombat and have a read.

Checking the level of the lu oil will also indicate if there is a leak. If the oil is a milky white, there is water intrusion and you will need to pressure test to isolate the leaky seal, or simly re seal all together.

Do you have a service manual?

 

[captbjack]

Re: leaking oil

Are you positive it is in fact lu oil and not carbon, an unburnt fuel/oil mix? Check the FAQS for a thread entitled "Oil Leaking around Lower Unit" by IWombat and have a read.

Checking the level of the lu oil will also indicate if there is a leak. If the oil is a milky white, there is water intrusion and you will need to pressure test to isolate the leaky seal, or simly re seal all together.

Do you have a service manual?

i do have a manual but could not tell from the pics where the oil was coming from. it is definitly lu oil and looks a little milky i will read faq thanks.

 

[captbjack]

Re: leaking oil

could not find that thread. went to FAQ typed in "oil leaking around lower unit" and no matches. what am i doing wrong allready?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: leaking oil

here it is

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=207285

 

[captbjack]

Re: leaking oil

here it is

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=207285

thanks HT i will drain it tomorrow and see but why is it leaking out of this small hole?

 

[captbjack]

Re: leaking oil

ok pulled the bottom plug and is full of water. what should be my next step?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: leaking oil

The hole you are referring to (if I am picturing it correctly) is a drain hole to ensure water does not get trapped in the gearcase. It is normal for water to exit here.

If you mean you removed the drain screw for the lower unit oil and found that the oil was milky white, indicating a sign of water intrusion, that is different. Was the drain and vent screw changed with the oil? If not, replace them, along with full synthetic oil, test run and check to see if the water remains. If not, you're golden. If there is still a water intrusion, you will need to pressure test to determine where exactly the breach is, or simply re seal the entire lower unit.

 

[iwombat]

Re: leaking oil

You should probably pressure test it and see where the leak is.

That hole (if it's what I think it is) is just a drain hole for water. If it's leaking LU oil that probably means the drive shaft seal is leaking at the top and the oil is just draining out there. A pressure test will tell for sure.

 

[captbjack]

Re: leaking oil

do i need to remove gearcase for pressure test and what kind of device do i need for the test? also do i need to disaseble the entire gearcase to change seals?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: leaking oil

Were the drain and vent screws replaced along with the oil??? The reason Im asking is that this is a likely spot for water intrusion, and by far the easiest fix.

To pressure/vacuum test a lower unit:

a) drain the gear oil
b) use an appropriate adapter with a gauge tee'd in to apply pressure or vacuum(I have rigged a set up using the adaptor from the lower unit oil pump fitting). No more than 15 psig for pressure. You can use a bicycle pump or any other compressed air source for pressure. For vacuum, you need a vacuum pump.
c) LU should retain some pressure or vacuum for 45 minutes minimum.
d) If pressure doesn't hold, submerge LU in water (or spray with soapy water) to find leak source [possibilities: drive shaft seal, prop shaft seal(s) (usually two), shift shaft seal and the fill/drain screw washers.]
e) replace offending seal(s) as required.

 

[captbjack]

Re: leaking oil

Were the drain and vent screws replaced along with the oil??? The reason Im asking is that this is a likely spot for water intrusion, and by far the easiest fix.

To pressure/vacuum test a lower unit:

a) drain the gear oil
b) use an appropriate adapter with a gauge tee'd in to apply pressure or vacuum(I have rigged a set up using the adaptor from the lower unit oil pump fitting). No more than 15 psig for pressure. You can use a bicycle pump or any other compressed air source for pressure. For vacuum, you need a vacuum pump.
c) LU should retain some pressure or vacuum for 45 minutes minimum.
d) If pressure doesn't hold, submerge LU in water (or spray with soapy water) to find leak source [possibilities: drive shaft seal, prop shaft seal(s) (usually two), shift shaft seal and the fill/drain screw washers.]
e) replace offending seal(s) as required.

thanks not sure about fill and drain screw replacement as i bought it 2nd hand.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: leaking oil

OK then before you pressure test it, change the lower unit oil, along with new gaskets for the drain and vent screw. Use full synthetic. Take it for a test run, then back off the drain screw, allowing some of the oil to exit. The water is heavier than the oil, and will sit at the bottom of the gearcase, exiting first. If it is still milky, then look into a re seal. If not, the intrusion was likely at the gaskets and the problem is solved.

 

[captbjack]

Re: leaking oil

OK then before you pressure test it, change the lower unit oil, along with new gaskets for the drain and vent screw. Use full synthetic. Take it for a test run, then back off the drain screw, allowing some of the oil to exit. The water is heavier than the oil, and will sit at the bottom of the gearcase, exiting first. If it is still milky, then look into a re seal. If not, the intrusion was likely at the gaskets and the problem is solved.

thanks, i had someone on this site post a website to find parts on do you know where i should look?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: leaking oil

Regarding the crush washers (gaskets) go to your local Johnson/Evinrude dealer and grab a handful of them to keep as stock. If you do not have one local, the actual part number is 0311598.

Here is a link. Follow the prompts to your particular model, then click on gearcase to view the exploded diagram and parts list.

http://shop2.evinrude.com/ext/index.aspx?s1=91d8a7b684b84e2c471559d073367b54

 

[captbjack]

Re: leaking oil

Regarding the crush washers (gaskets) go to your local Johnson/Evinrude dealer and grab a handful of them to keep as stock. If you do not have one local, the actual part number is 0311598.

Here is a link. Follow the prompts to your particular model, then click on gearcase to view the exploded diagram and parts list.

http://shop2.evinrude.com/ext/index.aspx?s1=91d8a7b684b84e2c471559d073367b54

thanks HT thats the one, i will bookmark it. i will follow up later.

 

[iwombat]

Re: leaking oil

What HT says is a good first run. However, if it really is LU oil leaking out the drain hole it's certainly not coming out the fill/drain plugs. That said, water contaminated unburned 2-stroke oil can easily fool you.

In order to pressure test the LU, you need to remove it from the motor and test it separately. If you don't have the equipment to test it, ask your local repair shop to pressure test it for you.

 

[captbjack]

Re: leaking oil

i have ordered seals. can anyone tell me about how much oil the lower unit will hold?