ooh no ! no oil '85 Johnson Evinrude 30 hp.

M

Marianne

Cadet
Joined
Jul 9, 2008
Messages
25
Finally got the drain screw and fill screw removed ... not one drip of oil - dry !
I guess the heat must have siezed those screws on giving me a hell of a time.

Last outing she was running fine. Can I go ahead and fill'er up or is there something else I should check / do because she was dry ?

Please advise,

M.
 
R

Rick.

Captain
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
3,740
Re: ooh no ! no oil '85 Johnson Evinrude 30 hp.

Go ahead and fill it up. You should not be surprised if it gives you a heap of trouble in the near future. Having said that if there is damage, it is already done. I would spend the first trip not too far from the launch. Rick.
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

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Messages
51,019
Re: ooh no ! no oil '85 Johnson Evinrude 30 hp.

replace the seals on the drain and vent plugs.

Changing lower unit oil

There are 2 straight slot screw on the starboard side of the lower unit. Top is vent plug, bottom, drain and fill plug. ( do not touch Phillips head screw).

Remove the bottom plug, put container under lower unit, now remove the vent plug, while the oil is draining, replace the seals on the plugs part # 311598, buy several of these, ( they are a one time use item)

Walmart and many places sell a little hand pump. To use to fill the unit, you insert the tube into the bottom hole, and pump till oil reaches the vent hole. Install the vent screw, then remove hose, install the drain-fill screw, clean up mess.

The screws can be hard to get out, do not mess up the head. You may need to employ an impact screw driver to break them loose.
 
kenmyfam

kenmyfam

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14,392
Re: ooh no ! no oil '85 Johnson Evinrude 30 hp.

Just a side note regarding the drain and fill screws. I changed mine out from the slotted screws to the hex socket screws made for an allen wrench. I find them a lot more user friendly although more expensive to buy. As said though, change the seals every time.
 
kenmyfam

kenmyfam

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Messages
14,392
Re: ooh no ! no oil '85 Johnson Evinrude 30 hp.

tashasdaddy said:
replace the seals on the drain and vent plugs.

Changing lower unit oil

There are 2 straight slot screw on the starboard side of the lower unit. Top is vent plug, bottom, drain and fill plug. ( do not touch Phillips head screw).

Remove the bottom plug, put container under lower unit, now remove the vent plug, while the oil is draining, replace the seals on the plugs part # 311598, buy several of these, ( they are a one time use item)

Walmart and many places sell a little hand pump. To use to fill the unit, you insert the tube into the bottom hole, and pump till oil reaches the vent hole. Install the vent screw, then remove hose, install the drain-fill screw, clean up mess.

The screws can be hard to get out, do not mess up the head. You may need to employ an impact screw driver to break them loose.
Click to expand...

Could be a good one for the "Top Secret Files"
 
bankerjohn

bankerjohn

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R

R.Johnson

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4,446
Re: ooh no ! no oil '85 Johnson Evinrude 30 hp.

Those gearcases won't run far without lube. If the case were mine, I would at least pull the prop shaft bearing carrier, and check for damage. The part's for that gearcase can get very exspensive. If there is damage, find, and fix it now. It would not take long for those gearcase part's to exceed the value of the engine. My thought would be to salvage every part I could. Running it to complete failure would not be the way to go. One man here run his engine with a dry gearcase. It sqeeked to a stop in less than a 1/4 mile, and there was not a usable part left in it.
 
Mas

Mas

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Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
1,656
Re: ooh no ! no oil '85 Johnson Evinrude 30 hp.

Get the lower unit pressure/vacuum tested...or just reseal.

MAS
 
R

Rick.

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Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
3,740
Re: ooh no ! no oil '85 Johnson Evinrude 30 hp.

Well your getting good advice here as always. Now that we've all responded it's time to ask a few questions. What about history on the leg. When did you run it last. Do you know it had oil in it then? I got to thinking maybe it was put away full and it all leaked out a seal and maybe it was never run with out lube which would make it a much nicer picture than if it had. Perhaps you drained it thinking you will fill it later? I sure hope so. Rick.
 
M

Marianne

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Joined
Jul 9, 2008
Messages
25
Re: ooh no ! no oil '85 Johnson Evinrude 30 hp.

Thanks for taking the time to read my thread ! This forum has prooved to be a great tool for a rookie boater like myself !

Update: I picked up 2 new screws w/ teflon washers $5 Canadian ea. and yes they're allan key or hex screw head ... flat / slot have been replaced (Thankgoodness).
FYI : I managed to get the stubborn screws off with some Liquid Wrench and a mother of a long shaft super big headed slot screwdriver (right tool for the job - tight fit and ample torque - two hans of course).

I was planning on installing the new screws and continue with my project ('85 barebones springbok resorter into a fishing boat w/ carpeted floor bowmount trolling motor etc. etc.) unless you advise otherwise.

Answer to some questions: I've only had the boat for 2 seasons. I checked to see if the oil was milky or not from the lower unit when I first bought it (Thanks Geoff for that advice) and it looked dark. and it started. I've since cleaned it up (several years of neglect from preivous owner). I brought it to a local marina for servicing (because I had no idea what to do and wanted it looked over) it may or may not have had an oil change (I'll have to look through reciepts to confirm). I know they(marina) did winterize it. They also advised a carb rebuild. Cost was $350 from marina or $15 for kit and I could do it myself... I chose to try my hand at it and proud to say I did it ! I also upgraded the gas tank (heavily corroded metal tank - original ) w/ a new plastic tank.

Cheers,

M.
 
kenmyfam

kenmyfam

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Messages
14,392
Re: ooh no ! no oil '85 Johnson Evinrude 30 hp.

Good Luck with your project. Be sure to keep us all posted how you make out. We would all love to see some photos when you get a chance.
 
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