Lower unit problem???

[metriccrescentwrench]

I just bought a 1990 Johnson 200 for the Checkmate I'm restoring. Found the engine on ebay, drove down and picked it up this past weekend. It was run on muffs, shifted into forward and reverse, compression check, ran the tilt and trim, everything looked good. It was loaded into the back of my truck, where it's been laying on it's side until tonight when I was able to move it to a trailer so it can stay in the garage until the boat's ready for it.

As I was hoisting it out of the truck bed I noticed some lube and water oozing out. I assume some lube got past the drive shaft seal, could this just be because it's been laying on it's side? There was no trace of any leaks this weekend, and it stopped after it was upright for a few minutes.

Also, I spun the prop by hand (one thing I forgot to do before) and noticed a slight "roughness" and faint grinding noise at one spot as the prop spun. What could that be?

thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Lower unit problem???

the leak in normal, the color of the lube is not.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Lower unit problem???

the leak in normal, the color of the lube is not.

Thanks TD. Once I get the engine mounted I'll take a sample of lube to make sure it doesn't have water in it.

Any thoughts on why the prop shaft would have one "rough" spot as it is rotated?

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Lower unit problem???

This I gotta know... how is leak normal??? This is a sealed unit that holds 10-15 psi pressure and vaccum but laying it on its side leaks?? If this is so wouldnt it leak in full trimed up postion? From grease color looks like a tad of water or areated cheap lube and my used units in shed dont leak and they are on their side on shelf?

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Lower unit problem???

My first thought is to take the prop off, and see if something got behind it. Turn the prop shaft, and check for straightness. Drain oil, and check for water, or metal flakes

 

[bills2004svt]

Re: Lower unit problem???

A thought on the propeller grinding. Make sure the shift rod length is right. It could cause it to be in gear partially

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Lower unit problem???

A thought on the propeller grinding. Make sure the shift rod length is right. It could cause it to be in gear partially

Ahhhhh, that makes sense. It's possible the linkage got moved a bit while cables were being disconnected. It doesn't appear that there's any wobble in the prop (but I'll admit that while my eyeballs are pretty good they aren't as good as a dial indicator).

Then I guess I'll plan on pressure testing the lower unit when I get the engine on a stand.