1973 johson 20hp foot leak

ctrevis7

Seaman
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
53
Ihave just purchsed a 1973 johnson 20hp tiller and fr some reason it isleaking il from one ofte holes on the foot. Is this bad? What do i need to do to fix it? and would it hurt it to run the motor like this?
I have put a piece of tape on it to stop the leaking

Thanks and God Bless,

Tyler
 

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Vanover

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 7, 2010
Messages
108
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

When my johnson leaked like that i ran it and soon after needed a lower unit. I wouldn't run it for two reasons, 1)Depending on where you use this motor, if the coast guard or other authorities sees a slick from your boat you will be fined. I mean a hefty fine. 2) not knowing the amount or condition of the lower unit oil while on the water could cause failure. If oil can get out water could get in. Right now you might be able to get away with just a simple seal replacement. Run out of oil or have water incursion and you will be out the gears as well. Now if you just want to run it on the hose for troubleshooting and mx purposes, where the oil level can be montired and there is no posiblilty of being tickedted; i say go for it.
 

ctrevis7

Seaman
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
53
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

Thank so much! I just ran it in a tank in order to see how it ran. It ran good in a tank but when i too it out water and oil poured out heavily. How much money am i looking at fixing this problem? This is my first boat so i a still learing. I just dont want to go to a mechanic and get charged alot im a college kid with not alot of money haha thaks.

Thanks and God Bless,

Tyler
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

Take the slotted drain plug out at the bottom of the gearcase so that you can check the gear oil.

It looks like the oil that is leaking is just unused oil from the engine that is draining down and normal.

If the oil that comes out of the drain plug is black, it is worn out and needs to be replaced. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=207285
 

ctrevis7

Seaman
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
53
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

Oh really? awesome! I'm new at all this boating stuff how do i change the oil and how ofteen do i need to change it?

Thanks and God Bless,

Tyler
 

jasper60103

Commander
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
2,055
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

Oh really? awesome! I'm new at all this boating stuff how do i change the oil and how ofteen do i need to change it?

Thanks and God Bless,

Tyler


Note: If you live in a cold climate, change it before every winter. Also, replace the seals on the oil drain/fill plugs with every oil change (one time use).

gearcaseoilchange1.jpg



WARNING: DO NOT TOUCH THE PHILLIPS SCREW
 

14ftgrumman

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 19, 2008
Messages
416
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

Make sure that you take out the SLOTTED screw. There is another screw down there that you DO NOT want to take out. It is the pivot pin for the shift cradle. It can be replaced with a little patience, and a pick to line things up,so don't make more work for your self.

That being said, as above, remove the drain/fill plug (lower one) and the vent (upper one).
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

Take the tape off that drain hole. It is supposed to drain.

By all means, check the gear oil just to be on the safe side, but that is not gear oil that you see draining out of that hole. It is the oil that you put in the gas. 100% of that oil goes through the powerhead. Some is burned, and the rest goes out the exhaust. It picks up carbon particles in the exhaust tube, which turns it black. In addition, it emuslifies with the cooling water that is also discharged into the exhaust, which makes it thick and foamy.

So, it is normal to get some drainage. However, you were running it in a tank, which collects the scum and makes it look 10 times worse than it really is. In addition, we don't know if the motor was running properly or not. If running poorly, excess unburned gas and oil will be discharged.

Summing up, check the gear oil as a normal maintenance procedure. Then get that thing out of the barrel and on a boat on the lake, where it is designed to run. If it is running properly and adjusted properly, it will run a whole LOT cleaner.

As for the Coast Guard, there is always some zealot ready to cite you for spitting on the sidewalk or coasting through a right turn on red. Form you own opinion on that.
 

ctrevis7

Seaman
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
53
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

Thanks guys! i just noticed it was leaking out of both sidesof the motor. Is that a bad thing? And also how would i go about changing the seals? Andis this a hard thing to do? and how muchwould it cost to change the seals?

Thanks and God Bless

Tyler
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

Less than $50 if you do it yourself. $150 to have a qualified shop do it. But didn't we just tell you to check the oil to see if it even needs seals?
 

ctrevis7

Seaman
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
53
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

Thanks! and im sorry i must have over read that and sorry if someone has already answered this but how do i know if it needs new seals?

Thanks and God Bless,

sorry for the trouble guys

Tyler
 

Daviet

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
8,958
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

Check the lower unit oil, if there is no water in it the seals are ok.
 

ctrevis7

Seaman
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
53
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

Ok when i pulled it our of my testtank this morning water and oil were both coming out
 

Daviet

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
8,958
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

Well if you had water in the lower unit it needs to be resealed. Remove the lower unit, disassemble it, replace all the seals and orings.
Do you have a manual, it would show you how to do it.
 

ctrevis7

Seaman
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
53
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

No i dont have a manual i will jsut have to buy one off of i boats. would you recomend me doing it myself or taking it to a mechanic?
 

samo_ott

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 18, 2006
Messages
5,125
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

If you're mechanically inclined, get a manual and do it yourself.
 

ctrevis7

Seaman
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
53
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

Hey guys i just changed my lower unit oil and there was no water. So i guess its not my seals. Could it be the oil from the gass mixture? i may have mixed too much oil in the gass could that be the problem?

Thanks and God Bless

Tyler
 

Daviet

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
8,958
Re: 1973 johson 20hp foot leak

If the lower unit oil is ok, it is most likely unburnt 2 cycle oil draining out, very common.
 
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