1998 Evinrude 25hp...Another issue with it

[tluchterhandt]

My last post I changed the impeller and ended up with linkage out of adjustment. Well I got that figured out and walked in the shop and notice a small amount of water and oil on the floor, and some oil on the skeg coming from behind the prop. I drained the gear oil and there was water in the oil.
When I ran the motor prior to changing the impeller there was some evidence of oil in the water tank I used (just a film of oil lined the edges of that tank). I thought it was exhaust/fuel residue. What I am wondering now is if there could be something I did while changing the impeller that allowed for water to infiltrate the gear housing. All that I removed from the lower unit was the water pump housing and the impeller housing and impeller. I didnt even move the plate or gaskets/O-rings. I am suspecting that it is the prop shaft seals (2) but would like some of your inputs.
1998 Evinrude E25TELECB
Thanks!

 

[The-Machinist]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 25hp...Another issue with it

I dont think you would have damaged your seals by replacing your impeller. I would refill with fresh lube and make sure you replace the drain and fill plug washers. This is one of the most common places for water to enter your lower unit. Then run it and see what you got. You may get lucky...

 

[tluchterhandt]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 25hp...Another issue with it

I dont think you would have damaged your seals by replacing your impeller. I would refill with fresh lube and make sure you replace the drain and fill plug washers. This is one of the most common places for water to enter your lower unit. Then run it and see what you got. You may get lucky...

Hi and thanks for the reply,
I too didn't think that impeller replacement would damage the seals, but had a thought of water getting into the gear case by somehow damaging the O-rings.

Would it make since that if oil was coming out behind the prop that the prop shaft seals were leaking, and if oil/water could come out water would go in?

I had run the boat for one outing on the lake just prior to changing the impeller after I had tested to be sure there was a stream of water coming out the tube. The reason I changed the impeller was the stream was weak and I had never replaced it in the 3 years I have had it.

 

[tluchterhandt]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 25hp...Another issue with it

I came home from work today with the idea of dumping the gear oil into glass jars to see how much water was in the oil. After I emptied the oil sump pan into the 2 jars, I then filled the gear case like The-Machinist had suggested. The only thing I did not do was replace the nylon washers on the plugs because I haven't got new ones yet.
The oil in the jars does not look milky and I cannot see any water in the oil. When I had drained it last night I was working in very low light behind the boat and it looked like water, I placed my hand in it as it drained and it felt like water but I don't think there was any water in it now that I am looking at the oil in good light. I haven't run it yet and wont be able to till tomorrow afternoon when I get home from work.

Dang, I would think I could see some water in the jars. I put some butcher paper under the motor so I could tell if any oil has dripped out and the lower unit outside is completely wiped down and free of any oil.

I sure hope that I was only mistaken. Another guy I talked to today suggested resealing the entire lower unit if there was water that had purged it. He also suggested a pressure test of 10# in a tank to see where the leak was, I sure don't have the pressure tester for doing this.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 25hp...Another issue with it

If you don't see water I would hold off on the reseal job. Just get some new fill/vent washers as suggested.
You can buy them at your local dealer. Also, we have them right here on iBoats.

 

[tluchterhandt]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 25hp...Another issue with it

Ran it again last night for a short time and there is for sure water in the gear housing, very little but it's there. I dropped it off at the shop this morning, I am just not set up or prepared to get into the gear housing that far by myself. Thanks again to those that did have a reply to my thread.