83 Johnson 15, water in cylinders?

[kodibass]

got a very old salty 1983 johnson 15 that was overheating just dripping water from pee hole, front lower unit drain was clogged as well, cleaned drain compartment installed new impeller. reinstalled LU still just dripping. so removed lower unit again hooked up water hose to flush water passages, checked impeller again seemed fine. water came out pee hole with hose hooked up and turned on. reinstalled LU went to start and would not turn over, pulled plugs cylinders full of water? What is most likely passage for this water to enter the cylinders? this engine has been used in salt water its whole life.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 83 Johnson 15, water in cylinders?

It sounds like you have a bad head gasket. You could also have a hole corroded through your inner exhaust cover and squirting water into your cylinders.

 

[kodibass]

Re: 83 Johnson 15, water in cylinders?

Thanks zephyr' after scratching my head about it That's what I was thinking, I just wanted to make sure I was not overlooking something on the underside of the powerhead, o-ring, seal, etc. I took this salty thing in as a repair. & its turning out to be a pain in the rear. but it will be fun to find the problem. For payment the owner gave me a fantastic 1962 5 1/2 rude.. powerhead is already off, broken shift handle replaced, lower pan painted, tomorrow new water pump impeller, and slap her back together. I'll post a photo or 2 of this cutie, I'll keep this one, she's clean for her age. kb.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 83 Johnson 15, water in cylinders?

Cool. I just got my '58 Fisherman all back together last night.

Yea, I got a funny story for you on those exhaust covers. I once picked up a couple old 7.5's at a dealer. A 1957 Evinrude and a 1956 Johnson. The Evinrude was getting water in the lower cylinder and it drove the mechanic nuts. He went as far as having the head milled and replacing the head gasket, to no avail. When I got ahold of it, I somehow though about pulling the exhaust cover and found that a small hole had corroded through the inner plate, under the exhaust cover and sprayed a nice little stream of water right into the exhaust port in number two cylinder. LOL I made a new one at work and the motor ran like a top after that. I rebuilt the lower unit on the old Johnson and sold both motors.

So, in your case, I would check your compression first, before you pull the head. If the compression comes up good and even, then it's a safe bet that your exhaust cover should be removed and checked over. Since you have a salt water motor, I'm betting the inner exhaust cover has a hole or two eaten through.