Water in Lower Unit - 200HP Johnson

[AATA]

I went to change the lower unit oil and when I drained it, a few ounces of water came out first and then the oil. I was leaving the next day for a trip to the river so I went ahead and filled it up with new oil. As I was filling it with the style pump that fits on a quart of oil, I could hear bubbles coming out around the shaft. Assuming that is where the leak is, can I change the prop shaft seal without removing the lower unit? I have a manual and it starts with removing the whole lower unit, then pulling out the shaft housing to replace the seals?

With the proper tools states in the manual, I would assume this job is rather easy?

Another questions is if I only run in fresh water, is it a must that I change it immediately?

thank you!

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Water in Lower Unit - 200HP Johnson

can I change the prop shaft seal without removing the lower unit? I have a manual and it starts with removing the whole lower unit, then pulling out the shaft housing to replace the seals?

With the proper tools states in the manual, I would assume this job is rather easy?

Another questions is if I only run in fresh water, is it a must that I change it immediately?

thank you!

To answer your question, "YES" you can change the propshaft seals without removing the lower unit by just removing the bearing carier! "BUT"

Seems there is always a "BUT"!!!

It is better to replace them all and do an impellar change at the same time! If you just want to change the ones that are leaking, [futile in my opinion] you can preasurize the lower unit and use soapy water to find the leaks but you have to remove the lower unit to do that anyway!!

I did mine last year and replaced them all. It was my shift shaft seal on mine that was the culprit.

 

[AATA]

Re: Water in Lower Unit - 200HP Johnson

To answer your question, "YES" you can change the propshaft seals without removing the lower unit by just removing the bearing carier! "BUT"

Seems there is always a "BUT"!!!

It is better to replace them all and do an impellar change at the same time! If you just want to change the ones that are leaking, [futile in my opinion] you can preasurize the lower unit and use soapy water to find the leaks but you have to remove the lower unit to do that anyway!!

I did mine last year and replaced them all. It was my shift shaft seal on mine that was the culprit.

Thank you for the info. The water pump was replaced not too long ago, so I figured I could replace the shaft seal for now and change the rest of the seals at the end of the season when I change the impellar. I agree its futile, but I just don't have the time and don't want the boat to be out of commission during the season?

If I don't change anything and it gets a little water in it (Fresh water) will it do much damage. Should I be changing it immediately.

Thank you!