Water in lower unit during extened cold temps. Help!?

[bikingthomas]

I have a 1968 950ss and when I drained the lower unit more water came out than oil. It's been below freezing for a couple months. There is no visual cracking on the outside of the unit. What could have been damaged inside and what sort of things should I look for. And yes... I have learned my lesson, always drain it even if the guy you bought it from says it's good to go.

Thanks in advance for any help

-Chris

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Water in lower unit during extened cold temps. Help!?

If you do not see cracks, you are OK on the casing. Clearly you need to fix the leaking seals and hope that the gears and bearings are good. You have refilled it? If not, corrosion will fininh off your bearings.

Fill it with oil for now, and when its warm pressure test it and fix the leaks.

 

[bikingthomas]

Re: Water in lower unit during extened cold temps. Help!?

I'm getting ready to order the parts today (hopefully). I moved the engine to my garage and filled it with oil. Everything seems to turn smoothly.

How do I pressure test it?

 

[bikingthomas]

Re: Water in lower unit during extened cold temps. Help!?

One other issue that I just noticed... One of the previous owners had the lower unit crack on them and they welded it shut. It was a small crack an don the out side it looks pretty clean. The problem is that the weld penetrated the threads on the inside for removing the prop shaft. Am I correct in thinking that I should just fill it with oil and do very regular oil changes since I can't get to any seals behind the prop shaft? What would you do?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Water in lower unit during extened cold temps. Help!?

I would definately try it out before disassembling it. Usually the water pump base seals go bad, before the prop seals. This is good because it is far easier to replace the water pump base and gaskets.

 

[bikingthomas]

Re: Water in lower unit during extened cold temps. Help!?

Thanks for the help. I'll replace the water pump seals and call it good since there is no way to get to the prop seals.