Big oil leak coming from around propeller

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Greatlakesfisherman

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Feb 25, 2009
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I recently bought a 1985 40HP Johnson tiller and had it shipped to me. It looked great when I picked it up from the shipper on the pallet. I let it sit in the back of my cargo van (on the pallet and lying on its side) for about a month. I went to unload it from the van and all I could smell was gear oil. I cut the shrink wrap off and looked it over- about a quart or more of gear oil is all over the back of the van and coming out around the propeller. It is clean, honey colored and smells like gear oil. It appears to be coming from around the prop and not from any of the fill or vent holes. I checked the posts on here and it sounds like it may be a seal on the prop shaft but not sure.
I am looking for any trouble shooting ideas to rule out or rule in other possibilities for the source of the leak. Is it possible that the prop seal came loose in shipping (from getting bumped around on a pallet) and just needs to be reseated? Is this leak from the motor lying on its side? I do not have a book for this motor yet but am looking for one now to help me trace it down. Any help with this would be appreciated.
Thanks
 
C

crxess

Chief Petty Officer
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Apr 30, 2009
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559
Re: Big oil leak coming from around propeller

It will require (2) seals.
Remove the prop to access the seals. They can be a pain to get out.The seals are identical, but mount facing oposite each other. Outer seal keeps water out. Inner seal keeps oil in.
Inspect the shaft for any wear damage.

Good idea to pick up a manual now.
 
G

Greatlakesfisherman

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Re: Big oil leak coming from around propeller

Thanks for the reply.
Will this require any special tools to remove the seals or can I get them out with a modified screwdriver -like a J hook? Do you just tap them into place to seat them?
 
G

Greatlakesfisherman

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Re: Big oil leak coming from around propeller

I applied air to the oil drain hole and can hear hissing from the prop shaft area. It apppears to be just air coming out but you can hear some fluid girggilling from the shaft area. Someone said I need to watch out for the carrier bearing if I start pulling seals. Am I on the right track thinking this is the shaft bearings?
Thanks
 
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ezeke

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Sep 19, 2003
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12,532
Re: Big oil leak coming from around propeller

You are probably correct and there is probably very little oil left in the gearcase. If you work carefully you can remove the seals without disassembly but you will probably need to make a tool to replace the new seals and buy one to remove the old ones. You will need new seals and some sealer. 3M 847 should work for you.

Turn the propshaft with some reference object to make sure that it is not bent.

One puller that works fairly well is the Lisle Shaft Type Seal Puller # 58430; it comes with a spare tip, so it should get you through the job.

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/lis58430.html

Find pipe that has the right ID to match the edge of the seal and get around the prop shaft to re-seat.

If you should decide to reseal the whole gearcase, buy the seal kit - it is a much better deal than the individual parts.
 
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ezeke

Supreme Mariner
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Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: Big oil leak coming from around propeller

If you can change the seal without disassembly, why would you be worried about the bearing carrier?
 
G

Greatlakesfisherman

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Re: Big oil leak coming from around propeller

Mine is a 1985 model J40RLCO - Not sure why the model numbers listed all have a B or M after them.
 
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