1985 Johnson 15 Gasket???

[atc250r]

I am new here and relatively new to outboard engines in general. Lots of experience with 2 stroke engines in other toys, however. Question: I have a Johnson 15 that recently started leaking oil from in between where the lower unit bolts to the rest of the engine. All 6 bolts were fairly snug, and upon removing them I can see there is no gasket between the surfaces. Is this normal, or is this my problem? If this is normal, where should I look next?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1985 Johnson 15 Gasket???

the 1985 15hp does not show an exhaust tube gasket between the mid and lower sections. 99% of what you are getting is residue leaking out of the exhaust tube.
do a decarb with seafoam, clean out the guts, it is like a good enema for you motor.

Decarb,
take a can of seafoam put 3/4 of it in the gas tank, with only 1 gallon of premixed gas. put the rest in a spray bottle. start the engine, and let it come up to temperature. then remove plugs, and them some real good shot of seafoam into the cylinders, replace plugs, let sit 15 minutes. restart, and spray the rest of the seafoam into the carbs, so the the motor almost stalls, wait and repeat until the seafoam is gone.then take for a wide open spin. then put in new plugs, ad premixed gas to the tank, and take it for a wide open throttle spin. it is going to smoke like a house on fire, during this process.

afterwards compression.recheck

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1985 Johnson 15 Gasket???

Ya it doesn't, strange, wonder why the 9.9 would have the rubber gasket and the 15 wouldn't???

 

[atc250r]

Re: 1985 Johnson 15 Gasket???

Well, it sure doesn't look like its just exhaust residue, but I'll change the oil and keep a real close eye on it in spring. We have about 3 feet of ice on our lake here, so I just thought now was a good time to do any R & R on this engine. Thanks for the opinions.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1985 Johnson 15 Gasket???

have you tried smelling it?