Leaking water from engine, is it of concern?

[brettule]

I just noticed a stream of water coming from the gasket area on the rear of my engine when I'm running it with water from the hose. Looks like a chip has been taken out of the engine casing so the gasket isn't doing it's job properly. Take a look at the pictures, is this cause for concern?



The engine runs fine, the indicator stream is always on and seems to be strong enough when in the water (it's a bit weak when on the garden hose), and the controls never alert to overheat. It's a 1978 Johnson 85 HP (85ETLR78C) with the buzzer on the throttle controls which alert if it's overheating. I accidently run the engine with the tilt up too high once and the buzzer alerted me that the engine was overheating so I know it works

Any thoughts, advice, etc?

 

[boobie]

Re: Leaking water from engine, is it of concern?

It looks normal to me as long as everything else is okay.

 

[brettule]

Re: Leaking water from engine, is it of concern?

It looks normal to me as long as everything else is okay.

I don't think it's normal boobie, I think it's a chip taken out of the casing which is allowing water to spill out. Take a look at this schematic, it looks like the gasket at the rear is complete and there is nothing idicating a portal for water to spill from.



So should I fix it or will it be fine with that small leak?

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Leaking water from engine, is it of concern?

there is no gasket between the lower and mid casing which is where the water is coming from. you could possible have a worn seal on the water pump housing where the shaft comes out or a bad/cracked connector to the pipe from the water pump but that depends on the amount of water that is coming out. if its spraying out with the motor running then that would not be normal. most of the motors i have seen have a notch to drain that area as the water pump will leak as the seal likes to be kept wet. if the water pump hasnt been checked for a while it might be worth servicing it and checking the housing as it should be done yearly. if the engine is staying cool then im with bobbie in that it looks ok as long as you dont have any other problems like high temp

the gasket you are pointing out in the diagram is for the shifter and thats to keep water out of the oil. the mid to lower doesnt have a gasket and is not meant to be water tight

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Leaking water from engine, is it of concern?

Brettule..What you posted is 100% normal as that hole is factory cast and it will leak water as its from water pump base drain. It will also "pee" water from pressure of garden hose as posted earlier, if impeller has not been changed in last (2) sit due one no matter if it "pees" good or not.....