leaking water around lower unit to shaft housing???

mrnmrskyle

Seaman
Joined
Apr 8, 2013
Messages
56
well, was 40 miles off shore coming in last sunday and came to an abrupt hault... trimmed up and had hit a 4ft long 8in thick piece of rope wrapped around port engine... got it off, ran back in, no problems, water pump pushing like it should, running like it should, no issues.... but when i loaded up i hooked up the hose and water came out around the seam from lower unit to the shaft housing part (or whatever it's called that the lower unit bolts too) it is coming out around the seam where i bolts and on the back where there are the square covers ( i think they are covers) is this bad? asked around a little and everyone said that it was no issue just the seal between the two (which has no gasket) was broken.

it's a 1995 johnson 150
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Sounds normal to me. Is this the first time you noticed it ??
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,435
A lot of those motors have slots in the casting at that seam, to allow the water to drain. I know my '98 150HPV6 Johnny has those slots. You might inspect your motor for those slots
 

mrnmrskyle

Seaman
Joined
Apr 8, 2013
Messages
56
It didn't do it before the rope... its twin doesn't, but it seems like it's a normal thing, mine just didn't do it till it took a jolt. Must have broke the seal...
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
If it "broke the seal", it must have moved. Better check the bolts.

I guess we didn't explain it very well. The factory sealed that joint in the past, just so people wouldn't freak out and start yelling for a warranty repair. But if the lower unit has ever been removed, it probably didn't get resealed. No need to, since somewhere there are drain slots. Older motors had one drain at the front, then later they put slots on the sides too. Any water that leaks out there has already gone through the powerhead and done it's job, and is headed back to the lake anyway.

There is another major, intentional leak near the lower mounts. I assume that is what you mean by square covers. I say again, intentional. And an almost shocking amount of water pours out those. It is normal and so don't worry about it. If it didn't run out there, it would back up and damage the powerhead.
 
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