removing water from contaminated gearlube

[Squeakit]

My old Evinrude 5.5hp Fisherman has a leaky lower unit (water gets in) and I have tried to reseal it without success, so I have given up for now and instead I drain the L.U. and refill it each time I use the motor. Is there any simple way to filter the water out of the water/oil emulsion so that the oil can be reused? I have thought about heating the stuff and letting the water boil out, leaving the oil, but I'm afraid this would result in spattering hot oil all over the place. I tried straining it thru a rag which didn't work. I only run in fresh water, and the gears in the L.U. are in great shape and sometime in the future I may get the job done at a local shop, but until then, gearlube is cheap and I drain it out each time - just wondering if there was a way to get the water out so I could use it again.

 

[sloopy]

Re: removing water from contaminated gearlube

your better off fixing it!<br /><br />whats the modle number?

 

[Hooty]

Re: removing water from contaminated gearlube

Put it in a jar and let it sit long enough, it might stratify but like Sloopy said, just fix it.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[Squeakit]

Re: removing water from contaminated gearlube

Thanks for the replies guys, I know I need to get it sealed up, but right now I'm using the motor and don't want to spend any more on it just yet. It runs great and I'll probably get it fixed later this year - I know that I sure as heck can't fix it. I think I'll try to make a pressure testing hose, and maybe I can see where the leaks are but sealing up one of these old gearcases is harder than I thought. Its a model 5514, 1957 Fisherman with a split (bottom comes off) lower unit. Just thought that maybe there was something that would separate the oil from the water. The recycler won't take it, so maybe its a bigger problem than I thought. Maybe I should try straining it thru cat litter or something (!?)

 

[sag2]

Re: removing water from contaminated gearlube

I think Hooty is right. If you let it sit long enough, the oil should settle out on top.<br />I made a leak checker by drilling out the center of a bolt that fit the plug hole. I soldered a small piece of copper tube in it and used that to put pressure in the lower unit. If I remember the max pressure was only about 2-3 psi. Mine was leaking in the shift shaft.

 

[sharpsburg]

Re: removing water from contaminated gearlube

Hey,<br />I'm kinda in the same boat (pardon the pun). I bought some oil resistant gasket maker for my lower unit. I ended up breaking one side of the primary plate that fits over the driveshaft on my 40 HP Evinrude. After a few expletives and some ranting, I used the gasket maker around the outside of the plate as a last resort...until I could find a replacement plate. I know what you are feeling-I don't want to spend anymore than I have too, but you don't win...especially with used electrical parts (condensers, coils etc.) I'm guessing that your seal might be bad for the drive shaft plate (can't think of the proper term). Buy a lower unit seal kit and try that out once. That might be a better option. Good luck!

 

[Squeakit]

Re: removing water from contaminated gearlube

Thanks again for the replies. Great idea about the drilled out bolt - I may try this. I did buy a seal kit and replaced the propshaft seal, O ring, spaghetti stuff around the bottom plate and the seal under the waterpump. Didn't realize I needed a bearing press to put these seals in - was able to do the propshaft with an old socket but had to have the waterpump seal pressed in at the local shop. Did not replace the shift shaft O ring as it is underneath a pressed in brass bushing and don't want to destroy this thing using my hodgepodge of inadequate tools. It's very frustrating and my Clymer manual does not give any help at all. I had the lower unit off 4 different times and each time you remove the L.U. you have to pull the powerhead. Basically I got sick and tired of messing with it and getting nowhere. I just got thru replacing the entire ignition system and we ran around the lake all day yesterday and this old unit ran like a fine old watch. I like this motor and it's a great conversation piece in this area where everyone runs around in fancy expensive boats - a little 12foot aluminum boat with a 45 year old motor on the back actually turns alot of heads - gets a lot of laughs too (!) I think I'm just going to wait till I have 150bux to blow and take the L.U. into the shop sometime this winter and let the guy do it right.

 

[IA rookie]

Re: removing water from contaminated gearlube

Sqeakit, I just went all through my 1957 Johnson 5.5 lower unit. Every time I tore it apart it would have water in the L.U. The last time I had it apart, while I was cleaning the bottom plate of the impeller housing, I noticed the plate had a crack in it. I replaced it and now the gearlube looks just fine after several hours on a local lake. Just a possibility. Hope you get it fixed. I owe my success in repairing my motor in large part to the great help I got from members of this board. And it is great to be out on the lake with one of these old motors purring like a well-fed kitten.

 

[Squeakit]

Re: removing water from contaminated gearlube

Thanks, rookie for the info. Maybe, next time I get ambitious I'll pull it apart and check that plate. At any rate, when I do finally pull the L.U. again, even if it's to take it in the shop, I'll be sure and check it. To anyone else who adds replies to this topic, please start new topic - Squeakit's L.U.- and then post, as my stupid WEB TV says this page is full and won't show me anymore - maybe I should invest in a real computer instead of spending money on old outboards (??!!)