Propshaft Seal 82 Johnson 25 hp

[missotis]

I recently bought a replacement lower unit for my 1982 Johnson longshaft 25 hp motor. I did not replace any seals, just put a new water pump and gaskets in and attached it to my motor. I filled the lower unit with new gear oil but have not run it yet. Its been sitting in my unheated garage for about a week now and I notice a small oil spot on the floor. Temperatures have been in the teens at night and low 30's in the day. It is definitely gear oil seeping very very slowly from around the prop shaft. As I am new to outboard maintenance I was wondering if there was any likelyhood that the rear seal would seal itself after running or warmer temperatures prevail or am I just wishful thinking? I have no idea how long the lower unit sat without oil so I probably have dried seals. Things usually do not fix themselves.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Propshaft Seal 82 Johnson 25 hp

Not likely but you could run it a little and check for water intrusion.

 

[Mas]

Re: Propshaft Seal 82 Johnson 25 hp

If someone said it'd fix itself, would you trust it? Sounds you have a LU rebuild on your hand. You may want to do a pressure test, just for to confirm your fear.

MAS

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Propshaft Seal 82 Johnson 25 hp

I recently bought a replacement lower unit for my 1982 Johnson longshaft 25 hp motor...

If it's leaking sitting idle, it will probably leak more under use. In my opinion, you shouldn't have to open a gearcase you just bought. Hopefully the seller will remedy.

 

[missotis]

Re: Propshaft Seal 82 Johnson 25 hp

In my opinion, you shouldn't have to open a gearcase you just bought. Hopefully the seller will remedy.

No such luck. The LU was an ebay purchase last December. Everything else is fine with the unit so it looks like i will be taking it apart to reseal it. Is this a job for the repair shop or can the typical shade tree mechanic do it. Special tools needed to pull old seals? Is there potential to screw-up the gears? The seal kit doesn't appear to be that expensive.

 

[Mas]

Re: Propshaft Seal 82 Johnson 25 hp

Buy the manual, screw up the kit a couple of times, and you're still money ahead! Plus, you're learning all the way!

Do it yourself, That's my opinion.

MAS

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Propshaft Seal 82 Johnson 25 hp

Yea, I agree with Mas. A split gearcase is simple to work on. I did my old '62 28hp, having only some mechanical experience from working a little on cars and stuff around the house.
You may need a couple tools if you decide to change the driveshaft and shift rod seals, but they're not spendy. I bought a seal puller for the driveshaft seal for $11. Replacing the shift rod seal can be a challenge, but there's a special punch tool available for that, or you can make your own.

Also, I have a '81 25hp and manual. I can email you the lower unit section of the manual if you like. Just PM me your email address. That way you can read the manual and then decide if its something you want to take on.
I didn't even have a workbench, but I searched craigslist and found a free desk and chair. Now I call my furnace room my boat motor repair shop.

Also, plenty of help here to get you through. Guys are itching to give helpful advice.
-jasper