lower leaking

[highwayman]

I have a 1981 75hp johnson That I had to change the drve shaft on. and I noticed a puddle of oil on the ground. Also I pulled the lower screw out to put new gear oil in and before any oil started to came out some clean clear water poored out. first question do they make like a stop leak for lower gear oil, and whats up with the water in there?

 

[Quick-man]

Re: lower leaking

I have not heard of any stop leak and I doubt they have any. Someone on this forum may have though. Water is not good in the LU, when you replaced the drive shaft you would have to take the entire LU apart, when it was apart they should have installed new seals. This is just standard practice since it is all apart anyway. Did you or a marina change the driveshaft? Was a new seal kit installed? I am assuming the water is after the drive shaft was installed. If not, is it still leaking? Did the marina pressure/vacuum test the LU? You can get this done by any good marina, if the leak is bad then you need to get it resealed. Water and oil don't mix and ruining gears is costly. What happened to the original drive shaft?
It could be that the seals need to seat. I would change the fluid run the engine (under load in the water) then look at the oil again. Keep doing this to check if the leak is stil there, or get a pressure/vacuum test to be sure.
Did you check the gaskest on the drain plugs, try replacing them if they look questionable.

 

[highwayman]

Re: lower leaking

what do you mean by the seals needing to seat?

 

[highwayman]

Re: lower leaking

Im going to try to run it a few more times and see if it leaks.If so I will order a new seal kit.but there is a tool that I need to get that cylinder out of the boot dose anyone know where I can get the puller?

 

[Quick-man]

Re: lower leaking

By seating I meant that if you did have the seals replaced then they may make a better seal after it was run a few times. Not normal but worth a try. From the sounds of it you did not have the seals replaced. The Bearing Housing is what you are referring to. I have an 83 75 hp and it was easy to get out with a pair of channel locks on the inside of the housing and I simply twisted the bearing housing out. This, I am told is not common and sometimes you have to use heat to get them out. There is a puller you can buy that does this. You will then need a long pair of split ring pliers to reach in and get the two split rings which are a bear to get out without the right tool. There is another wrench that holds the nut to the drive shaft and a special socket that attaches to the spline of the drive shaft, that is used when you torque the drive shaft nut.

After all said and done you could pay a local marina to pressure/vacuum test the LU and see where it is leaking. It may just be the oil fill screw gaskets. Since you said there was a puddle of oil the leak could be from the fill screws or the prop shaft seal if the oil is coming from the prop area and not by the fill screws. When you had the drive shaft replaced they should have replaced the seals. I would get it tested to see where it is leaking, you may only need a prop shaft seal and if so the entire lower unit does not have to be disassembled.

 

[mikesea]

Re: lower leaking

I suggest you change the seals,its not hard,they are at the end of the carrier,its easier to remove the carrir as you did when you changed the shaft(that was the time to do them,said with respect)change the oring too on other end,change the oil a couple times to get residual water out,DO NOT run the engine the way it is,you will be in a world of hurt then.You should get it pressure checked,but at least watch for continued leakage