Water leaking down shift shaft/housing 1981 9.9HP Evinrude

[1lastweekend]

I just bought a 1981 Evinrude 9.9HP from a friend and it wasn't pumping much water, so I changed the impeller and water pump assy. After reassembling it, I tank tested the motor and I have great water flow, but I noticed water was flowing down the housing where the shift shaft is located. I thought I had everything lined up pretty well at reassembly, any ideas what I could have done wrong, or what part has failed on the motor?

Thanks,

 

[oldboat1]

can loosen the bolts a bit and retorque using a criss-cross pattern, but imo that drainage isn't a problem. Water depth appears to be pretty shallow, though. I run mine with water depth about half way up the extension.

 

[1lastweekend]

can loosen the bolts a bit and retorque using a criss-cross pattern, but imo that drainage isn't a problem. Water depth appears to be pretty shallow, though. I run mine with water depth about half way up the extension.

Thanks, it is a long shaft motor...so more of the leg is in the water than it appears. I was just worried that water was somehow getting from the powerhead or exhaust channel down into the shift shaft tube, and the grease at the pivot point on that tube was turning to goo...I will try it on my boat tomorrow and see if its different with more of the motor in the water.

 

[oldboat1]

Well, mine are extra long Yachtwins, so half way up the extension on mine is about five inches above the impeller. Yours has only a five inch extension, so it would really be better to sink it about to the pinstripes shown in your picture. The rule of thumb is six inches above the impeller, which is located at the plate above the prop.

I would sink mine a bit deeper, but the current mount on my boat won't permit that.

 

[1lastweekend]

Well, mine are extra long Yachtwins, so half way up the extension on mine is about five inches above the impeller. Yours has only a five inch extension, so it would really be better to sink it about to the pinstripes shown in your picture. The rule of thumb is six inches above the impeller, which is located at the plate above the prop.

I would sink mine a bit deeper, but the current mount on my boat won't permit that.

Thanks I have off today so I will mount it on the boat where I can get the test tank up higher...hopefully i can get 6" above the impeller. Do you think raising the water level relative to the leg will stop the problem- is it due to siphoning or something like that?

 

[1lastweekend]

No Title

Ok ran it in the tank with water up much higher on lower unit- still lots of water running down the shift shaft tube and out where it meets the lower unit...Just want to confirm this is ok/common for Evinrudes...I have a 1984 8HP Johnson Sailmaster that I use on my larger boat as a trolling motor, looks very similar to this motor, and it does not have water coming out of that area...Here's a few more pics...Thanks for the help and advice!

 

[Vic.S]

Some water coming out of there is normal. Maybe the grommet is missing or damaged hence more water than normal. It is of no concern either way if there is a good cooling flow through the engine, which clearly there is.

There is no need for your ordinary long shaft to be as deeply immersed as you now picture it. All that is required is that the water pump is flooded . It's a long shaft because the height of the transom ( or the height of the mounting bracket ) requires it.

The exhaust system of your 1984 Sailmaster is somewhat different , Not only is it a later design but is specifically designed with the exhaust outlet higher to allow the prop to be more deeply immersed on a sail boat without increasing the exhaust back pressure.

( guess what sort of engine I have on the little sail boat below!)

 

[Crosbyman]

can you see water pooling at the base of the powerhead ..

​motor pissing lots of water so cooling is Ok but maybe you have a busted gasket at the bottom of the cylhead or a bad base gasket

 

[1lastweekend]

can you see water pooling at the base of the powerhead ..

​motor pissing lots of water so cooling is Ok but maybe you have a busted gasket at the bottom of the cylhead or a bad base gasket

Thanks, I was trying to look in that area for water, but I didnt see any at all. I will look for a schematic of the motor and see whats supposed to be there. I did stop by to talk to a local marine mechanic and he also said not too much to worry about, but I wanted to make sure before I take the boat out in the bay this weekend.

 

[1lastweekend]

No Title

This schematic is pretty busy, but i am guessing #106 may be bad?

 

[Vic.S]

This schematic is pretty busy, but i am guessing #106 may be bad?

You can read the diagram on the BRP parts website without an electron microscope if you zoom in a bit

 

[1lastweekend]

Sorry didn't realize my picture as so small...looks like a lot of work to get at that gasket, I will try it on the boat in the bay this weekend and see how it performs...

 

[oldboat1]

Like to hear how you come out on the "big lake" (I do my boating on Keuka). Good trolling motors.

 

[1lastweekend]

Like to hear how you come out on the "big lake" (I do my boating on Keuka). Good trolling motors.

Hopefully with a few browns...this is a new to me 12' Sea Nymph with the 9.9 Evinrude. I have fished Keuka many times in the past, lots of lakers, not much above 5 lbs but a hookup every 10 minutes or so it seemed...Stayed at the state park, but dinner at the Switz was a must!

 

[oldboat1]

No Title

Yeah, jealous. My boat doesn't get launched for a little while yet.

Thinking this year I might settle for just cruising, and leave the trolling motor at home along with all the stuff that goes with it. Maybe some drifting and jigging if I get the itch.

Good luck out there!