LU holes - normal or not (pics)

[jajeeper]

Got the boat out on Saturday. What a beautiful day. First time out since impeller change. The engine ran great and water cirulated well.<br /><br />While putting the boat away, I noticed three small holes in the lower unit that I haven't noticed before. I'm hoping they are just drain holes for any water or fluids that drain down from the top, but just don't remember them being there. <br /><br />One is just forward of the vent plug:<br /><br />

<br /><br />and the other two are on the opposite side:<br /><br />

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: LU holes - normal or not (pics)

They're just cavity drains. They were always there, you just didn't notice them before. They used to use much smaller holes that liked to clog. Still, it'd be a good idea to blow into them with compressed air every once in awhile. If that's a streak of oil by that one, you have a leaking shift shaft seal.

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: LU holes - normal or not (pics)

The leaky hole can also be lubrcation sprayed in the shift shaft cavity to keep the shift cam lubricated (During service) or excess fuel/oil which runs from the bottom cowling all the way down the shift shaft and out the hole. Mine is always oily, due to my obsessive spraying of WD around the front of the motor after use. BTW around that front area where the paint is chipped is a tiny slot for the speedo pickup..

 

[jajeeper]

Re: LU holes - normal or not (pics)

I'm glad you posted, Unicorn. I just changed the impeller and was dreading having to get back in there. I'm guessing mine is probably just drainage like yours. I greased the shaft splines pretty good while I was changing the impeller, so I'm guessing that may be the source of my drainage. I'll keep an eye on my LU oil for signs of water or lower levels just in case.<br /><br />Thanks everyone.

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: LU holes - normal or not (pics)

The second picture is of the speedometer pickup. Not sure, but the first picture looks like a definate hole that looks like to me like it was broken out.<br /><br />Craig

 

[jajeeper]

Re: LU holes - normal or not (pics)

Sorry to pull out an old post, but I have a couple of questions.'<br /><br />Prior to my replacing the impeller, the lower unit did not get any water in it. Since I replaced the water pump, I have been getting some water in my lower unit. As you can see from the pictures above and comments that follow, someone suggests that I have a shift shaft seal bad. <br /><br />Since replacing the water pump really doesn't involve messing with much other than the shift shaft, that would make sense.<br /><br />Could it just be misaligned? How hard is the seal to replace?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Laddies]

Re: LU holes - normal or not (pics)

the holes are all drain down holes, in replaceing the imp. you could have damaged the seals on the w/pump base or shift shaft inadvertently

 

[bh357]

Re: LU holes - normal or not (pics)

jajeeper,<br /><br />The shift shaft seal is not hard to replace. You do need a special tool, though. I believe that the tool is still available through Mercury Marine (the tool for my 1963 Merc 1000 is still available). It cost me less than $20.<br /><br />The only thing to watch out for is when you remove the shift shaft bushing, be careful not to pull the shift shaft out from the shift cam. If this happens, there is a chance that the shift cam could slide out of position. The worst case possibility is having to disassemble the l/u to reposition the shift cam.