1987 8hp Johnson problems

[moonman]

I went to change my impeller today and when I disconnected the lower section, it was loaded with a greenish goo all over everything. Definitely smells like gas. Drained lower unit and it was clear. Won't let me download pic off my phone. Last time out, the telltale plugged up and I shut the motor off. Ran some string trimmer line up it and it unplugged it. Seemed to be running hot, though so I shut it off again. That is why I was going to change the impeller. Looks like I have more problems now!

 

[RCO]

Sounds like your drain is partially plugged or the engine is running poorly. It is normal for unburned gas and oil to leave some residue, but the vast majority should drain out with the exhaust.

 

[Vic.S]

Cannot offer any explanation for the greenish goo

A blocked telltale will not cause overheating...... it is only a telltale to tell you if the pump is pumping water up to the power heard or not'

You may have a problem with the grommet at the top of the water tube restricting the flow. While the lower unit is off poke a stout wire up the water tube. If it eventually hits something hard all should be well but if you can feel something squidgy at the top that's the grommet and it is probably restricting the flow.

PITA with my '84 6hp and your 8 hp looks pretty similar.

Power head has to come off, unfortunately, to replace it

 

[moonman]

picture of the gooey sludge

 

[moonman]

After changing the impeller, I am, having one heck of a time getting this lower unit back on. There is about a 3/4" flat spot milled on the end of the shift rod. Should it be facing the shifter. Right now, it is almost in the opposite direction. I get to within about and inch of getting the assembly together and I have had no luck. I have been slowly moving the prop and or flywheel to get splines for driveshaft to line up but thought that maybe this shift rod is messing me up. I do not believe that the shjift rod moved when I changed the impeller. Vic.S, I ran the wire up the tube and it kind of stuck there...."squidgy" for sure. Looks like that is going to be one of my winter projects, replacing the grommet.

 

[Vic.S]

After changing the impeller, I am, having one heck of a time getting this lower unit back on. There is about a 3/4" flat spot milled on the end of the shift rod. Should it be facing the shifter. Right now, it is almost in the opposite direction. I get to within about and inch of getting the assembly together and I have had no luck. I have been slowly moving the prop and or flywheel to get splines for driveshaft to line up but thought that maybe this shift rod is messing me up. I do not believe that the shjift rod moved when I changed the impeller. Vic.S, I ran the wire up the tube and it kind of stuck there...."squidgy" for sure. Looks like that is going to be one of my winter projects, replacing the grommet.

Ive never had any trouble with the shift rod. I think I would put the lower unit into neutral. put the shift lever to the neutral position and it should slide together with no more than a little waggle of the shift lever.

Getting the drive shaft splines to line up is another matter though........ if the lower unit is in neutral turning the prop wont help but they should slip together if you turn the flywheel a bit.

 

[moonman]

This will sound stupid I am sure, but how do I know if the lower unit is in neutral.....prop spinning, but shaft doesn't?

 

[Mohawkmtrs]

Yup...prop spinning in both directions with little/no resistance.

 

[moonman]

It is definitely in gear because the driveshaft is spinning as I turn the prop either way. How would I get it into neutral. I am afraid of busting something off if I try to turn that shift shaft. Some guy at work has an inspection camera....might borrow it if it is small enough to stick up the hole where the shift shaft goes. That way, maybe I could see where the flat machined part of the shaft is supposed to be.

 

[racerone]

No, no----You turn the shift rod to find nuetral.------Nothing to it at all.-----Then assemble with shift lever in nuetral and lower in nuetral and it will slide together.-----No hammer required for this work !

 

[Vic.S]

It is definitely in gear because the driveshaft is spinning as I turn the prop either way. How would I get it into neutral. I am afraid of busting something off if I try to turn that shift shaft. Some guy at work has an inspection camera....might borrow it if it is small enough to stick up the hole where the shift shaft goes. That way, maybe I could see where the flat machined part of the shaft is supposed to be.

Grip the shift rod with a pair of vise grips and turn it. although it does not necessarily have to be in neutral...... just needs the shift lever to be set to the same gear as the lower unit.

 

[racerone]

I read it as him saying he is going to look up towards the powerhead to see how it goes.--------------I think he will say -----" is it ever easy when you listen to good advice "
after it all slides together !

 

[moonman]

Yes, I meant to look up in the hole, not to actually lift the rod up! I was just concerned about breaking something if I turned the rod. Thanks for your help. Hoping to get back to it this weekend.

 

[moonman]

You guys are awesome. I turned the shift rod to neutral, put the shift lever to neutral, slid lower unit up, moved flywheel a little and it slid together perfectly. Thanks for your help!!