Hoping to get a little clarity around afew questions... I have a 28HP SPL Johnson. Not sure the year though, I think the range was something like 86-96? Side question: Does anyone know how to identify the year?
The lower unit started to leak with drips coming off the prop last week. I drained the oil and replaced with fresh oil BEFORE I noticed this leak... and it started to leak after we got back. It only holds about 5 ounces of fluid and virtually all of it has leaked out. When I pull the prop, it looks like its coming from the shaft. Assuming its a bad seal.
I used some West Marine oil, which was light blueish when it went in... and the stuff leaking is light blueish, so I assume its the oil leaking out.
My questions:
1. It looks like the lower unit on this motor has 2 sections. The bottom section, with the skeg looks like it can be removed to expose 1/2 of the shaft. Before I start taking this apart, I wanted to make this post... Can I just remove this lower section to get access and replace this seal? Or do I need to remove the whole lower unit? (see picture)
2. The prop nut is held with a cotter pin. I noticed when I removed it, there was about 1/8 inch slack between the nut and prop. I was able to get one more rotation on the nut and still insert the pin, but this made it "smack tight" against the prop. Should there be slack or should it be tight? (see picture). Note, the prop still seems to move fine with the nut fully tight.
3. With the prop removed (or attached) I noticed the SHAFT itself has about 1/16 inch of play. Not side to side, but forward/aft. Is this normal? I assume alittle play might be okay since there are gears inside and seals, which might allow a small bit of play. Please confirm?
Any other tips or suggestions would be appreciated. The motor runs strong aside from this recent issue.
Thanks,
The lower unit started to leak with drips coming off the prop last week. I drained the oil and replaced with fresh oil BEFORE I noticed this leak... and it started to leak after we got back. It only holds about 5 ounces of fluid and virtually all of it has leaked out. When I pull the prop, it looks like its coming from the shaft. Assuming its a bad seal.
I used some West Marine oil, which was light blueish when it went in... and the stuff leaking is light blueish, so I assume its the oil leaking out.
My questions:
1. It looks like the lower unit on this motor has 2 sections. The bottom section, with the skeg looks like it can be removed to expose 1/2 of the shaft. Before I start taking this apart, I wanted to make this post... Can I just remove this lower section to get access and replace this seal? Or do I need to remove the whole lower unit? (see picture)
2. The prop nut is held with a cotter pin. I noticed when I removed it, there was about 1/8 inch slack between the nut and prop. I was able to get one more rotation on the nut and still insert the pin, but this made it "smack tight" against the prop. Should there be slack or should it be tight? (see picture). Note, the prop still seems to move fine with the nut fully tight.
3. With the prop removed (or attached) I noticed the SHAFT itself has about 1/16 inch of play. Not side to side, but forward/aft. Is this normal? I assume alittle play might be okay since there are gears inside and seals, which might allow a small bit of play. Please confirm?
Any other tips or suggestions would be appreciated. The motor runs strong aside from this recent issue.
Thanks,