ran no oil in l.u. 1996 115hp johnson looper

[ddras]

hello,i'm new at this ,hope i'm doing this right.<br /> i can't believe i did this, but i did. in the fall i drained lu on my 115johnson looper with intention of adding moly, but wanted to research the idea.this spring i forgot all about it. ran 3 miles up the lake before i realized it, stopped checked tightness of the upper plug, horror, had to run the 3miles back.pulled boat removed lower plug,small amount of really burnt, black ,stink 1\2 to 1 oz of oil. topped up fresh oil ,test ran, drained, found fuzz on magnets,and silvery pasty gooey on bottom of drain pan.replaced oil, ran tank of gas,drained ,more fuzz on magnets some silver flakes in the oil,i hear no noise or feel no roughness when i spin the prop.what do you think i may have damaged,how serious and should i pull apart the l.u. and replace something before it gets worse? i really appreciate any advice.here is a lesson for anyone,stick a note on your engine to remind yourself if you intend to put off an important job till the next season.<br />Thanks.....signed...idiot with a sore head from bangin it against the wall!@#$%^&

 

[LubeDude]

Re: ran no oil in l.u. 1996 115hp johnson looper

Boy, sorry to hear that. Dont feel bad, several of us have done similar things in the past. <br /><br />I think the best thing to do is to tear it all down and have a look see. I do not think it will be in vain, as you probably will need a rebuild. Im sure you could run it like it is, but I think that in the least you probably wore the hardness off the gears, (if thats posible). All that metal more than likly got to the bearings as well. I think it is probibly toast, but then again I have seen similar things last a lifetime.

 

[ddras]

Re: ran no oil in l.u. 1996 115hp johnson looper

Hello LubeDude,<br />I was afraid you might say that, but wishfull thinking likes the lifetime part of your response.I've never tried this type of work on a boat engine,but have rebuilt a few car engines,I guess shes coming apart.Is it not normal to get some fuzz on the magnets with each oil change?<br />Thanks so much for your response.........Dirk

 

[LubeDude]

Re: ran no oil in l.u. 1996 115hp johnson looper

It is normal to get quite a bit the very first time from a new engine, after that if you change it every fall, (which I do), I see almost nothing. Once you get it all flushed out, I would certainly use a synthetic oil to protect it the best that I could. You have caused some damage, how much is uncertain.

 

[OBJ]

Re: ran no oil in l.u. 1996 115hp johnson looper

I will second LubeDudes comments. I did the same thing on a 150. Rebuilt it and put it on the floor for sale.....forgot to refill the lower unit. DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!! Cost me about a dollar two eighty nine to make it right.<br /><br />Take it apart and clean it out. Those sparklers won't do anything but damage to the seals. Get a seal kit and reseal the whole thing. No matter how much you flush it, you don't get it all. And.......don't fell dumb....we all have had similar experiences.

 

[ddras]

Re: ran no oil in l.u. 1996 115hp johnson looper

Hi LubeDude and OBJ,<br />Thanks so much again for your responses.I wonder if adding moly or something like it, would be a good idea,the question which started this whole SNAFU? OBJ,that ubbicon is too funny,that was me for sure!! This is a great site!!<br />Thanks for making me not feel like a complete idiot,I guess my head is feeling a tad better,over and out.....Dirk.

 

[ddras]

Re: ran no oil in l.u. 1996 115hp johnson looper

Well guys,<br />I tore the L.U. apart and thought I'd report on what I found. Interestingly the pinion gear was burned and pitted but the forward and reverse gear looked like new,so yes LubeDude you can wear the hardness off a gear.I sent it off to a marina,and they said the thrust bearing was also damaged,but everything else was okay.Total cost $975 canadian (pinion,forward gear,thrust bearing,pinion nut,seal kit,water pump,etc +labour)a very expensive lesson.I wonder how much is involved in the set-up of the gears,if I should have attempted it myself,as this sounds a tad on the high side?<br />signed..........still biting the bullet

 

[rodbolt]

Re: ran no oil in l.u. 1996 115hp johnson looper

hello<br /> setting up the gears is a piece of cake. a "trained" monkey with the "proper" tools can do it.sorry ya had to go through thius. we all have at one time or another. at least most of my big booboo's the US Navy paid for .<br /> good luck and keep posting.

 

[OBJ]

Re: ran no oil in l.u. 1996 115hp johnson looper

Dear Still Biting The Bullet...... <br /><br />What I've taken to do, if I don't get the lube in right away, I hang a tag on the prop shaft. In BIG LETTERS, it says, NO LUBE.

 

[Freezebear]

Re: ran no oil in l.u. 1996 115hp johnson looper

Well i did one even better. I drained the lube out of my lower unit and forgot to put oil or the plugs back in. Took boat out a few days later and went about 5 miles in saltwater, drove back in 5 miles and didn't realize it until I got home and was washing it. The stuff that came out of the lower unit while I pumped oil into the top hole was terrible. Drained and refilled a couple of times and went for many trips after that until, I blew the motor. Motor was a '73 25HP Evinrude

 

[ddras]

Re: ran no oil in l.u. 1996 115hp johnson looper

Well guys,<br />Thanks for all the great responses, its been a great help.<br />Yours truly.......ddras