Water Leak out of Lower Unit?

[clarky711]

Greetings, I have a 1987 Johnson, 90 HP V4. I just got done dropping the lower unit to replace the clutch dog, new seals, and a new water pump kit. That all is done, and she is peeing better than ever. But, when I had her on the muffs, I noticed that she was leaking water out of the seam from the lower unit housing to the mid housing (on both sides, not a lot, just small streams)? I didn't put any sealer along either surface as I didn't see that in the factory manual. But, it never did this before? It was all cleaned up very good too, so there isn't any dirt, etc on the housing. I took her out for a test run this morning and all seemed fine. I'll run her back on the muffs tonight to flush it and see if it does it again.

So, should I be concerned about this? Like I said it's processing the water fine, exhaust seems to be good, and I torqued the 6 bolts to factory specs (20lbs for the smaller, 30lbs for the larger bolt).

Wondering what you think? Thanks.

Mike

 

[frozenokie]

Re: Water Leak out of Lower Unit?

Had asked my mechanic that very same question a week ago before doing my impeller except mine was gushing out water and not just trickling out. Afterwards, just trickling out.

Everything is OK from what it sounds. There is meant to be water coming from that area. There are "slots" at the mating surfaces of the lower unit and housing on my motor for water to come through. It was probably dirty and clogged before as to why you didn't see it then. Absolutely normal as long as it isn't an excessive amount of water like gushing out. If its just trickling out a little, its normal.

 

[clarky711]

Re: Water Leak out of Lower Unit?

Hmm, just so folks get a good idea of what I'm talking about, here are two pictures (sorry about the crappy phone pics). These were taken with the motor running on muffs in the driveway. Thanks for the help.

Mike

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Water Leak out of Lower Unit?

Perfectly normal. The parting line between the LU and midsection is not sealed.

 

[clarky711]

Re: Water Leak out of Lower Unit?

Thanks, I was only concerned because it never did this before I dropped the lower unit. Now, back to fishing!

 

[F_R]

Re: Water Leak out of Lower Unit?

To clear it up a bit, the factory did seal that joint and many manuals say to reseal it whenever you take it apart. BUT, it is purely for cosmetic reasons. Whether sealed or not, they all have a slot or slots somewhere to let the water drain off.

Bottom line: If it bugs you, drop it down far enough to get some sealer in there. But don't plug up the drain slot.

Any water that squirts out there is destined to go out with the underwater exhaust anyway.

 

[clarky711]

Re: Water Leak out of Lower Unit?

To clear it up a bit, the factory did seal that joint and many manuals say to reseal it whenever you take it apart. BUT, it is purely for cosmetic reasons. Whether sealed or not, they all have a slot or slots somewhere to let the water drain off.

Bottom line: If it bugs you, drop it down far enough to get some sealer in there. But don't plug up the drain slot.

Any water that squirts out there is destined to go out with the underwater exhaust anyway.

Perfect, my boat is a fishing machine, not for looks. If (when) I drop it again, maybe I'll remember, but its good piece of mind to know it's no big deal. Thanks again for the advice, time to go fishing!