Milky Gear Oil - 1986 50hp Johnson

jayard78

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 28, 2008
Messages
101
Recently I started keeping my boat in a wet slip instead of trailering it. The last time I drained the gear oil to replace it, the color was a gray milky color. I have run it a few times since and today checked the oil by removing the drain screw and again it was gray and milky. I've read that I may need to replace the drain plug and vent plug gaskets. That is fine and I will, but my question is this.....can I continue running it for a few short fishing trips in the next month or two without worrying about damage to my gears (more so what kind of damage could take place)? And can anyone explain this pressure test if the gaskets don't correct the issue?
 

bernd64

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
117
Re: Milky Gear Oil - 1986 50hp Johnson

water and oil is like sandpaper i wurd fix the problems first or you be buying a new gear set and berings and seals
 

jayard78

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 28, 2008
Messages
101
Re: Milky Gear Oil - 1986 50hp Johnson

Ok, anyone else got any comments on this subject?
 

Daviet

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
8,958
Re: Milky Gear Oil - 1986 50hp Johnson

Water in the gear case can cause some major problems. To do a pressure test you drain the lower unit and pressurize it to about 10/12 psi, then submerge it in a water tank and look for bubbles. Bubbles indicate a leak. You can also preform a vacuum test on your lower unit also, you just suck the air out and see if it will hold a vacum.
 
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