1975 70ESL75E Johnson Outboard Impeller Replacement Question

[Chadwick67]

I replaced my impeller and intake screen on my lower unit. The parts diagram shows what looks like an o-ring that goes on the driveshaft above the impeller housing. How does that work when the shaft is spinning? Wouldn't it destroy the oring when it spins? My old one did not have anything like that on it when I took it out, but I figured that is why it had 2 handfuls of silt sitting on top of the impeller housing when I dropped the lower unit.

 

[racerone]

Is there a groove at the top of the driveshaft , just below the spline ?---------One o-ring fits there.

 

[Chadwick67]

I will look. Is that where the silt would have come from if it did not have one?

 

[oldboat1]

Do you run in silty water -- river runner, maybe? If you see some silt, may want to change out the impeller a little more often, as the grit is a little hard on them (pulling the silt in via the pump) -- also a good idea to flush in fresh water after use.