Johnson QD 10 hp - R'uh Oh - Seals?

[ironhill]

I went to winterize the motor for the fishing tinner.

Started her up no problem but uh-oh within a minute it lost power and bucked to a stop - before re-starting I noticed some lube floating in the barrel.

The stuff was like really diluted wet cement - gray - of course lube in water. I took it out of the barrel and saw that it was dripping from the weep hole on the front side of the lower unit at the waterpump.

I didn't have time to drain the lube but obviously I know what I will find when I do.

My guess is lower seals?

The motor's behaviour (loss of power and bucking to a stop) should have nothing to do with the drive portion when it's in neutral - - two separate issues - no?

I do the minor work on the northern hemisphere of my outboards but this will be the first time cracking a lower unit.

Here's pictures. Doable for a mere mortal if I get a shop manual?

 

[bktheking]

Re: Johnson QD 10 hp - R'uh Oh - Seals?

My guess, seal under the water pump housing, it wouldn't come from that weep hole if it were lower seals. Coming to a dead stop sounds like it ran out of gas or the float stuck or pressure tank issue.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Johnson QD 10 hp - R'uh Oh - Seals?

Drain a little oil from the lower unit and see if it's milky. If not, then what you are seeing is just unburnt 2-cycle oil mixed with water, which is normal.

 

[ironhill]

Re: Johnson QD 10 hp - R'uh Oh - Seals?

Thanks to you both for sharing your expertise!

I will drain it tonight and report back.

 

[F_R]

Re: Johnson QD 10 hp - R'uh Oh - Seals?

Drive shaft seal leak wouldn't come out that hole, it would go through the cooling system. That hole drains the exhaust housing. Exhaust---as in oil and fuel that went through the engine. In other words it is unburnt fuel.

 

[ironhill]

Re: Johnson QD 10 hp - R'uh Oh - Seals?

FR & Lindy - fingers crossed that you are correct!
Thanks again - what a great resource of helpful folks - and will report when I twist those drain screws tonight.

 

[ironhill]

Re: Johnson QD 10 hp - R'uh Oh - Seals?

Sorry it took so long to reply - I had to go out of town on business.

Anyway finally got around to draining the lower unit today and bad news.

Colour and consistency of heavy cream. I guess I do have infiltration. Only about 2 ounces of liquid came out.

Maybe the problem is unreleated to the oozing from the weap hole as described above.

In any vent any suggestions on my next move?

Thanks!
Glen

 

[lindy46]

Re: Johnson QD 10 hp - R'uh Oh - Seals?

Pressure test the lower unit to see where it's leaking. Could be just missing seals/washers on the drain and vent bolts. Next most likely culprit is the prop shaft seal - fish line gets entangled in there and compromises the seal. Pump her up and spray some dish soap solution on the seals to see where it's leaking or submerse it in water. If it's not one of the seals mentioned, you'll have to drop the lower unit to see if itift rod seal.'s the driveshaft seal or the sh

 

[cc67]

Re: Johnson QD 10 hp - R'uh Oh - Seals?

I would just buy a seal kit and be done with it. One other thing, check your upper drive shaft bushing for wear. If there is any slop, it will eat up a drive shaft seal in no time and you will be back at square one.

 

[ironhill]

Re: Johnson QD 10 hp - R'uh Oh - Seals?

One other thing, check your upper drive shaft bushing for wear. If there is any slop, it will eat up a drive shaft seal in no time and you will be back at square one.

I think this may be at issue in my case.

As I mentionned above after it ran for a minute it sounded like the shaft was making significant contact with something periodically and after the third time it stalled out the engine. I think that there is alot of play - what normally would the drive shaft hit as it idled in neutral?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Johnson QD 10 hp - R'uh Oh - Seals?

In the barrel the water should be up to the mounting bracket to be sure it can pump.
The stall sounded a little like an overheat.I think the driveshaft would have to be very loose to actually rattle.

 

[ironhill]

Re: Johnson QD 10 hp - R'uh Oh - Seals?

UPDATE

Due to time and talent restraints I took this to a fellow who knows these motors.

The oil in my first picture, as you folks suggested, was just unburned gas.

The water in the lower unit lube was the shaft seals that had given up the ghost and let in some water to the lower unit - seals changed - problem solved.

The binding and noise I heard was actually when that water froze at some time previous to my owning it it warped the drive plate and it was seizing the shaft intermittently. New plate - problem solved.

Now if winter wasn't slowing settling in and I could just get out on the lake to open her up.

Oh well she's all put to bed for winter anyway..............Thanks to all of you for your time and knowledge to help me out!