Oil From Weep Hole

[TD_Maker]

I just purchased a new-to-me 2003 Johnson 90 2 Stroke. . The motor is absolutey beautiful, great compression, and best of all in Florida....NO RUST. Motor came down from fresh water North Carolina, and it has been used very little. I will be mounting this engine on the back of a 17' McKee Craft. I have quite a bit of experience with the older OMC V-4's, and Mercury engines as of late. I am completely new to Bombardier products.

Yesterday, I noticed a small stream of oil coming from a weep hole in the lower unit. The color seems to be GREEN. It does not look like or smell like (to me) 2 Stroke Oil.

I have researched this (in this forum) and I am hearing this is a sign of bad shift rod seals. Then, I read it could be combustion residue collecting in the lower unit. Some people said the hole is there to protect the unit from freezing; therefore, I also read that its nothing to worry about. Now I am confused.

Before I pull the lower unit this weekend to pressure test, can someone give me an idea if I even need to do it? View attachment 189964View attachment 189963

 

[boobie]

Re: Oil From Weep Hole

Some of the oils for the mtr are green in color and it just may be from the exhaust. Is there any water in the gearcase ??

 

[TD_Maker]

Re: Oil From Weep Hole

Thanks for the reply. Truthfully, I did drain the lower unit to look at the oil, and I think it had a little water in it. It was sort of black with some grey streaks running in it. I was going to drop the lower unit and pressure test it to ease my mind a little. But, then again, if this is normal for a Johnson, then I won't bother until after I run the motor the next time. Water in the Lower unit just scares me to death.

 

[F_R]

Re: Oil From Weep Hole

I think you are good to go. Fill it up with some good oil and stop worrying. Obviously, the stuff you are seeing running out is not gear oil (you proved yourself that was black oil).

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Oil From Weep Hole

A 2003 Johnson? With great maintenance and care, you won't have to do much of anything to that motor, for many years. When you change the oil in the lower unit, replace the gaskets on the plugs. That could likely be where the water intrusion is.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Oil From Weep Hole

I'm confused about your question. Specifically, this statement: Yesterday, I noticed a small stream of oil coming from a weep hole in the lower unit. The color seems to be GREEN. It does not look like or smell like (to me) 2 Stroke Oil.
Mercury High performance gear oil is clear, emerald green. I've also purchased Bombardier HPF XR oil which was emerald green. Not sure where this green oil is coming from, since you say the drained oil from the lower unit is black. If the gear oil is black, I'd agree with FR, that the leaking oil is probably not from the lower unit gearbox. What color is the oil in the VRO tank?
Black gear oil indicates is is old and may have been overheated (can happen if the gear oil gets low.) Annual gear oil changes will remedy this problem.

 

[TD_Maker]

Re: Oil From Weep Hole

View attachment 190164View attachment 190165View attachment 190164View attachment 190165View attachment 190164View attachment 190165OK. I went ahead and performed a vacume test on the lower unit after I drained the oil. , and it was pretty obvious I had a leak somewhere. I pulled the lower unit and found that the oil was escaping from around the main shaft. A pressure test comfimed this.

I took off the water pump housing and impeller of course, then I popped off the water pump base plate to have a look at the seals. Sure enough, the outer seal was leaking (spring was out and everything) I knew from previous experience that the housing has two seals (facing opposite of one another) I pulled the housing to confirm.

Sometimes I hate to ask questions on these forums, because I don't want to sound dumb. Remember, up until recently, I have been a Mercury guy, so things are a little different. The gears are working perfectly F-N-R. Shift rod is shifting smoothly. Here is my question:

The Drive shaft seems to be loose (too me) I can grab the shaft and rock it slightly. Is this normal for a Johnson? It very well may be normal. I would assume the drive shaft would remain stable once the lower unit is installed in the powerhead, but I do not remember any of my other lower units being this loose.


Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[TD_Maker]

Re: Oil From Weep Hole

I am sorry about the photo screw up. I do not know how I triple posted this.