Water in Lower Unit

[Keepi time]

Hello All,
I have a 1989 V4 90HP Johnson and was putting her up for the winter and noticed while changing my lower unit oil that it has been compromised with water. I am going to check all of my seals but wanted to ask what I can use to flush out the water that is in there before I change everything. I do not want to leave this milky substance in there after I figure out how it got in there. All help is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[James R]

Re: Water in Lower Unit

Was there any unmixed water in the lower or was it all milky. Do you park the boat with the foot in the water. Do you use the boat in salt water. Were the fill and level plug seals replaced at the last oil change. Just trying to figure what may have failed. If you use in salt water the lower will need stripping and cleaning and the seals replaced at that time.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Water in Lower Unit

Do yourself a favor and take the boat to a good independent marine mechanic. You'll want to make sure that the lower unit is still in good shape before spending time and parts putting in new seals. If the problem is just seals, you're looking at maybe $80 in parts and 2 hrs. labor.

This is not something for a shade tree guy (like me) to take on.

 

[boobie]

Re: Water in Lower Unit

Let the lower unit sit for a day or two with the drain plugs out and then take it in to have it pressure and vacuum checked. If you don't want to fix it now, fill it with fresh oil and leave it sit until you can.

 

[Keepi time]

Re: Water in Lower Unit

Thanks guys, I figured if I changed the prop seal and fill and level washers and pressure tested it I would know, but I think this time I will let the pros handle this one. I am thinking maybe something didn't go right when I changed the water impeller last year. I think there is a seal there as well.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Water in Lower Unit

FYI - The most common reason for water in the gear case is failing to use new seals whenever replacing the drain/fill plugs.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Water in Lower Unit

Unlikely your impeller changeout had anything to do with the gearcase water intrusion. Normally when you change the impeller, the upper gearcase seal is not involved, nor the shift rod seal.