1975 15 HP Evinrude, leaking upper mounts to exhaust housing seal

[JohnsIsland]

15 HP is new to Dad and I, runs, seems OK except for the leaking seal. It's part 0340178. In order to replace the seal, from what I see I have to remove the gear case, exhaust housing and power head. Is this correct? Any tricks to just replacing the seal? The gear case isn't a big deal, as I am going to install a water pump kit. Removing the power head requires a couple of special tools, according to the service manual, and is therefor a bit of a problem.

What happens if I run with the upper mounts to exhaust housing seal leaking water for a summer and replace the seal after Labor Day when I have a bit more time and hopefully can buy, borrow and make the special tools?

Thanks!

Jeff

 

[JohnsIsland]

Forgot to list the model, it's a 15504C.

 

[racerone]

??----There are no special tools required to remove the powerhead !!----Ignore that service manual.

 

[F_R]

Just for kicks, I just looked at the Evinrude Factory Service manual. It doesn't mention any special tools to remove the powerhead.

Assuming your upper mounts are not all loose and flopping around, the leaking seal won't cause any damage if you run it, other than possibly a mess from whatever is leaking out (water?)

 

[JohnsIsland]

F_R,

Am I misunderstanding the manual? I thought you removed the top seal as part of the power head removal. The manual I am reading says you need a tool for removal and installation of the top seal.

Jeff

 

[racerone]

No-----No special tools required !!------Are you looking at the crankshaft seal or the seals for the mounts.----Totally different.------Factory tools are shop time savers, but not really needed if you work carefully.-----No special tools required.

 

[F_R]

F_R,

Am I misunderstanding the manual? I thought you removed the top seal as part of the power head removal. The manual I am reading says you need a tool for removal and installation of the top seal.

Jeff

Aha! I think I see what is confusing you. Under the instructions telling how to remove the mounts and mount seal, it says first remove the powerhead and lower unit. So, if you then go to the powerhead removal instructions, it starts out with a note telling you that you do not have to remove and open up the powerhead to replace the upper crankshaft seal, which can be done with those two special tools. Since you are not aiming for the upper crankshaft seal, just ignore that note. You are only removing the powerhead for access to the upper mounts, not to open and repair the powerhead. I guess that's what they call too much information.