Water in #2 and #3, 1980 70hp Johnson

[daselbee]

J70ELCSA, 1980 70hp, I have water in #2 and #3 cyls.
Just went thru all the other repairs (carb kits, fuel lines, plugs, thermostat, etc.) and finally started up in water.
Pees good. No overheating.
Compression 120 across all three. Spark good across 7/16 air gap.

Then I pulled the new plugs, and noticed water.

Now....where is this water coming from? From other posts, these engines are prone to corrosion in the exhaust manifold assembly. Is this the LIKELY place the water is coming from?
If so, what am I looking at regarding repairs? Broken bolts? Pull the powerhead? Any tips on this issue?
Or will it be just the gaskets......???
Trying to get a feel for the most probable cause.

DURBAN? Right down your alley....

Tom in Edgewater....isn't this the same engine you have?

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Water in #2 and #3, 1980 70hp Johnson

Just had the same problem with my friend's 1979 70hp; it was the gaskets on the exhaust manifold that were leaking;put new gaskets in and 2 months into it all is still well. We did not pull the powerhead; he elected to use a dremel tool and cut a square block out of the lower cowl to get to the bottom bolts. That worked out well since he reattached the block back and you can barely see it.

 

[daselbee]

Re: Water in #2 and #3, 1980 70hp Johnson

Thank you Will for your response. So in your case, the gaskets were the only problem. Hmmm....The owner of this engine has elected to remove the powerhead for the fix. We have tried the six long powerhead bolts, three are already rounded and frozen, three are able to be loosened. So, I guess we can see how this is going to go. Anyway, I will be tearing into this today. Again thanks for your post.

 

[daselbee]

Re: Water in #2 and #3, 1980 70hp Johnson

Got all powerhead bolts off but one. Head snapped off. So, now I have a 3" bolt stud broken off, sticking thru the exhaust adaapter, and it is stuck solid. Tried torches, crow bar, air hammer, etc. The bolt will not slide out. The powerhead is loose, but basically wiggles around on that stuck bolt. Next step is Sawzall. Anyone have a 1980 70 Hp exhaust adapter?

 

[fishfeatures]

Re: Water in #2 and #3, 1980 70hp Johnson

Isn't there a nut to come off too under cylinder 3 on that model??

other than that & with 5 out and the head off the last one it should surely separate for you with a chain hoist or something hopefully.... good luck with it all the same Daselbee..

 

[daselbee]

Re: Water in #2 and #3, 1980 70hp Johnson

Yes sir, got the nut. It was rusted/rotten, and the 1/2 wrench just spun in it. I had to heat it, and basically force a 7/16 wrench down over it. Once the wrench was on, using more heat, it broke loose. I thought that one was going to be the worst one, frankly. It wasn't so bad. The stuck broken bolt is the port rear long powerhead bolt. I think I can get a Sawzall blade in there and cutting at an angle, make a short cut thru the exhaust adapter and then the bolt. It would leave about 1/2" of bolt still in the exhaust adapter, but I am sure I can force that out. I would need a new exhaust adapter at that time. If only there was a way to use some kind of hydraulic tool. I very tiny bottle jack would get in there and press up against the head and against the exhaust adapter while applying heat to the stuck bolt area....might come out that way. I tried a borrowed porta-power, but the tool was almost useless due to neglect and leaks, and...crap.