Oil at Johnson impeller outlet

[valint1]

Hello,<br /><br />I've got a question for the experts:<br /><br />I own a 1998 Johnson 115 HP V4. The engine recently started oozing oil out of the water pump outlet hole. Roughly a teaspoon every hour of operation. The oil appears to be from the lower unit. (A very viscous light brown oil) My uneducated guess is that some lower unit oil is getting by the o-ring at the base of the water pump. Any thoughts? The engine has never idled particularly well but seems to run fine when there's some power put to it. There is a good flow of water coming out of the engine.<br /><br />Your help is much appreciated.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Oil at Johnson impeller outlet

Hi valint1...<br /><br />Could you be a little more descriptive on the "hole" you are talking about. Where is it located? There are water intake holes below the anti-cavitation plate (that's the "fin" right over the prop) on each side of the gear case. Above the plate are holes also. These are outlet holes from the engine. <br /><br />Have you check the gear case lube for water? Let the engine set vertical (trimmed down) for about 5 minutes and drain the lower unit into a catch pan. If any water appears or the oil is milky in color, you probably have a seal leaking. If it were my rig, she would not go back into the water until I found out if there is a problem and it gets repaired.<br /><br />Keep us posted....Thanks!!

 

[valint1]

Re: Oil at Johnson impeller outlet

Hi OutboardJim,<br /><br />Thanks for the reply. The hole I was talking about is on the right side of the engine at the bottom of the cowl. It is the source of the stream of water that indicates the water pump is functioning. I'll take your suggestion and drain the lower unit. If I find water in the lower unit that would seem to indicate that the propeller shaft seal is bad. How would lower unit oil get into the cooling water circuit/pathway? Any chance that it could be engine oil? i.e. headgasket leak?<br /><br />Thanks for your help! I'll keep the beast out of the water. I'll have to run my '72 Merc instead... (Old reliable)