Milky Oil in Lower Unit Johnson

HightVoltage

HightVoltage

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I have a 1998 Johnson 115-SPL Lower Unit. I checked it about a month ago and changed it at that time the Oil was a Gray color. I replaced it and ran it 2 times Noticed a bit of noise from my Motor pulled it out of water and checked the oil again this time it was a Milky white Color and had a few metal shavings on the plugs. How do you know what seal,,and is it hard to pull the lower unit off and replace stuff?
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

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Re: Milky Oil in Lower Unit Johnson

when you changed the lube did you use new seal on the drain and vent plug. #1 place for water intrusion. try it with new seals on the plugs. then check again. shifting should be a quick deliberate shift. not slow ease into gear. slow wears the edges of the gear and clutch dog.
 
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wilde1j

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Re: Milky Oil in Lower Unit Johnson

Pressure/vacuum test the LU after gear oil is drained. Do not exceed 15 psig. Submerge LU with pressure to find which seal(s) leaking. Good LU should hold some pressure for at least 45 minutes.
 
HightVoltage

HightVoltage

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Re: Milky Oil in Lower Unit Johnson

tashasdaddy said:
when you changed the lube did you use new seal on the drain and vent plug. #1 place for water intrusion. try it with new seals on the plugs. then check again. shifting should be a quick deliberate shift. not slow ease into gear. slow wears the edges of the gear and clutch dog.
Click to expand...


Nope i did not use new seal for Drain plugs or Vent Plugs..Hmm,,,prolly shoulda. As far as gear goes it goes into gear real good,,,not hesitation what so ever...Just Bam,,in gear.

Wilde,,, Not sure how to do that. You mean with lower unit off? Where do i put the pressure?
 
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wilde1j

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Re: Milky Oil in Lower Unit Johnson

HightVoltage said:
Nope i did not use new seal for Drain plugs or Vent Plugs..Hmm,,,prolly shoulda. As far as gear goes it goes into gear real good,,,not hesitation what so ever...Just Bam,,in gear.

Wilde,,, Not sure how to do that. You mean with lower unit off? Where do i put the pressure?
Click to expand...

LU doesn't have to be off. Pressure/vacuum applied thru vent or drain hole via an adapter (I made my own with a Shrader valve, a tee, and a threaded piece that fits the hole thread). You can also buy testers (there was a guy who had nice ones on Ebay for ~ $60. I also attach a pressure gauge to the tee. Very important not to overpressure, or you will be replacing all seals no matter what!

It's easier to submerge the LU when off, but the leak test can be done on, then remove the LU only if a leak is present.

BTW, an OEM shop manual gives all the detail.
 
HightVoltage

HightVoltage

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Re: Milky Oil in Lower Unit Johnson

Well i put new washers on the plugs. I also took the prop off to make sure it had no fishing line or anything else wrapped around it. I found a 1/4 inch bolt about 1-1/2 inches long in the housing, but could not find a place for it to go i thought that was a bit strange. Im gonna order a manual can anyone recommend the best one it seems there are a couple diff companies making them. Is one just as good as the other?
 
HightVoltage

HightVoltage

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Re: Milky Oil in Lower Unit Johnson

jonesg said:
Theres only one OEM factory service manual.
You can probably order the OEM manual here on Iboats or , if not ,
Ebay usually has them.

But look at this,

http://shop2.evinrude.com/ext/index.aspx?s1=49caa9cd109c65f296748a508af7434f

IS it possible that loose bolt is part # 28 in the diagram, I think its visible after removing prop. There is 2 of these bolts.
Click to expand...

Actually that diagram is not exact....Yes you can see part 28 with prop off,,,but there is 4 of those bolts and they are all still in place.

Ok my exact model is the J115TSLECM it looks like it might be part #46
 
HightVoltage

HightVoltage

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Re: Milky Oil in Lower Unit Johnson

Thanks Alot Jim,,,,I just ordered that from Ebay,,,couldnt find it anywhere else,,,very limited supply i guess....Again Thanks
 
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wilde1j

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Re: Milky Oil in Lower Unit Johnson

Glad it was still available ... way better book.
 
HightVoltage

HightVoltage

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Re: Milky Oil in Lower Unit Johnson

Well i need my boat this weekend and the book wont be here until next week. I went ahead and took it to a boat mechanic to check out....I do have water coming into my LU. They said they will put a new seal kit in and all new water pump kit since they will have it all apart for $280.00 it that a good deal?
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

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Re: Milky Oil in Lower Unit Johnson

Sounds like a very fair price to me!
 
NelsonQ

NelsonQ

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Re: Milky Oil in Lower Unit Johnson

I had the LU on my old Merc removed and seals replaced without changing the impeller and it was $227 for the repair from a very reputable repair shop so your price sounds fair. (Note I'm in Canada but the dollar for dollar repair costs should be similar)
 
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jonesg

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Re: Milky Oil in Lower Unit Johnson

HightVoltage said:
Well i need my boat this weekend and the book wont be here until next week. I went ahead and took it to a boat mechanic to check out....I do have water coming into my LU. They said they will put a new seal kit in and all new water pump kit since they will have it all apart for $280.00 it that a good deal?
Click to expand...

I was quoted $375 for a seal job !
thats without a water pump.

I'll do it myself after I finish testing with new gear oil and new plug seals.
 
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