water in lower unit

[ralphl]

Just pulled the boat out of the slip (been in for 6 mos) and found water in the lower unit during service. No Suzuki service centers within 800 miles and I am not much of a mech. Whats involved in the service and can a certified dealer for another brand do it as well ??

 

[robert graham]

Re: water in lower unit

Water got in the lower unit through bad fill/drain plug washers/seals, or bad prop shaft seals, bad drive shaft seals or bad shifter shaft seals. I would drain lower unit and refill with fresh oil, with new fill/drain plug washers, then remove prop and inspect for maybe fishing line wrapped around prop shaft and under prop shaft seal, either causing the leak or damaging that seal. A lower unit pressure test can be applied to locate the leak. Most outboard motor mechanics should be able to replace any of these seals, If they will and can get the correct parts. You really shouldn't have to drag boat 800 miles to get this fixed...check around local boat dealers. Good Luck!

 

[ralphl]

Re: water in lower unit

could it be traced to the impellor area? Its a 97 DT55 2 st , would it be prudent to have all those seals replaced when the lower unit is dropped for the impellor replacement? Found a Yamaha dealer who says he can do Suz, He's only 150 miles away

 

[robert graham]

Re: water in lower unit

If it was me and I was running in fresh water, I might be tempted to just inspect/replace the drain/fill plug seals, inspect prop shaft seals, fill with fresh oil and run the boat a while and check for more water. If water is back in there pretty quick, then drag the boat 150 miles for pressure test/repair. The drain/fill plug seals Might fix it and you save all the trouble and expense of dragging for repair. A little bit of fresh water in the lower unit is not Near as bad as a little Saltwater in it. Guess there aren't any local, independent type outboard mechanics in your area. The seals are not generally considered major surgery. Another item, if you decide to take the motor 150 miles for repair, maybe just unbolt/drop lower unit and take it to the guy..save you dragging the whole boat over there...just a thought? Good Luck!

 

[robert graham]

Re: water in lower unit

And to answer your question, no real reason to replace all the seals, just the bad one. There is the driveshaft seal under the waterpump. Your problem may just be the drain/fill washers/gaskets Or some fishing line around the prop shaft. Good Luck!