Lower end water. other questions

[Caldelta]

I had a 1/4 cup water in lower unit of 1970 Merc 650<br />water pump was replaced 4 years ago or 60 hrs.<br />I have started the motor in the driveway many times for a few seconds with no water to make sure it runs.<br /><br />If the driveshaft is rusted will an outboard shop fill it and turn it or will they poss. allow me to bring it to a machine shop for repair.<br /><br />One shop told me a rusted drive shaft may be the problem ( chewed up the seal)and the motor would be junk...why?I see lots of parts sources on the net.<br /><br />what caused me to check the oil was an oil spot on the ground below the prop. Is this a clear indication that the seal is bad behind the bearing carrier for the prop or could it be comming down thru the exhast passage since the exhast gas mixes with the water for or from the pump.

 

[ob]

Re: Lower end water. other questions

Not completely clear on post but i'll take a shot.#1 never but never start motor without flush muff on lower unit .reeks havoc on impeller,not to mention engine.external oil leak in driveway either coming from propshaft seal or fill plugs.Water in lower unit coming from propshaft seals,Shiftrod seal, or water pump (driveshaft seal).recommend remove lower unit and change water pump components,and shiftrod seal as long as your there.Also, sounds like you'll need to replace propshaft seals as well.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Lower end water. other questions

Every outboard I ever owned left a black oil spot.. It's probably just unburnt fuel and oil driping from the exhaust.. Your motor is not junk!... But parts can be a bit difficult to find, but there out there.. As for the drive shaft a bit of surface rust can be cleaned up with some light emery paper, but any more than that I would repair or replace the drive shaft.. You need to replace that impeller at least every other year even if you don't use it.. And don't EVER try starting the engine without water..In just a few seconds a dry impeller can self destruct...