Oil tube question 76 Johnson 25 HP

[dthx]

Inside my lower unit there is a copper tube that fits into a rubber grommet on the water pump impeller housing. I've replaced the grommet as a new one came with a new water pump repair kit.
It fit the tube fine when I replaced the water pump impeller and put it all back together.
Since then, (after 2 fishing trips) .....I've taken the lower unit off again (to replace the gear case seal) and I noticed that this grommet had some dark lower unit oil that had leaked up around it...the oil was on the impeller housing...not much...but it was there..
I pulled the copper tube out and took the rubber grommet out of the housing again.....all looked "AOK".
I put the grommet back and replaced the copper tube.
I noticed that the grommet has a lip seal to prevent this leakage.
Maybe the tube had some corrosion on it and prevented a good seal.
Or when I put the unit back on the motor when I replaced the impeller earlier....the copper tube was off center and it put the tube and grommet in a :bind:....preventing a good seal.

What say all of you on all of this?

This is an old engine but hasnt' seen a lot of service......It's kinda cool to be able to use it and I think after I fix all the stuff due to age an neglect it will be fine....
That's why I'm still fooling with it.
Many thanks for your help.

BTW...I ordered a hand impact tool from Home depot tonight...

 

[F_R]

I dunno, I read your "problem" several times, and I see no problem. The water pump actually sits in the exhaust flow coming down from the powerhead. There is nasty stuff in that exhaust flow. Actual exhaust of burned fuel. Unburned fuel. Oil that was in the gas that has gone through the engine and done it's job. Oil that has settled out of the gas as it went through the crankcase. Cooling water that has gone through the powerhead and done its job and has now mixed with all that previously mentioned junk and goo.

What I'm trying to say here is I believe that mixture of stuff is what you are seeing on your water pump housing, and not gear oil. Furthermore, it is absolutely normal and unavoidable. And not to worry.

Lastly, there should be no gear oil in the water pump, so no need to seal it from the water tube.

The water tube grommet is there only to keep the water from spilling out. If it did spill out, it would not go to the powerhead nor do any good at cooling the motor. A perfect seal is not necessary.

Hope this makes sense. Relax and think of something else to worry about.

 

[dthx]

OK.......I see.....thank you very much for the reading and reply.