removing propeller shaft seal

[marvinjansen]

I have water getting into my Mercruiser 165 lower unit. I heard you can replace the outer propeller shaft seal without pulling the unit all apart. Anyone ever do this successfully?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: removing propeller shaft seal

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=how+to+replace+a+mercury+prop+shaft+seal

 

[Don S]

Re: removing propeller shaft seal

I have water getting into my Mercruiser 165 lower unit. I heard you can replace the outer propeller shaft seal without pulling the unit all apart. Anyone ever do this successfully?

1. You can't do it without removing the carrier, or you could easily destroy the carrier.
2. What makes you think the propshaft is the problem????

 

[marvinjansen]

Re: removing propeller shaft seal

I have the drive out doing the bellows and noticed oil leaking out of the propeller shaft so I figure water could get in there too. Will need to figure out how to do a pressure test.

 

[Don S]

Re: removing propeller shaft seal

You need to pull the carrier out to check the gears and bearings anyway, I remember your other posts. You have more wrong than just a seal leaking.

 

[marvinjansen]

Re: removing propeller shaft seal

When I had it out on the lake the 2 times we ran it, it shifted fine and operated properly. earlier posts on going into gear were the cable. but you are right in that it would be good to check it all out. How much trouble will it be to pull the carrier? A local shop said they would replace the seals for $150.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: removing propeller shaft seal

$150 for parts and everything? Dang that sounds like a deal... What about that seal leaking into your bellows? Have you replaced that one? You really need to do a pressure/ vacuum test and that puppy

 

[marvinjansen]

Re: removing propeller shaft seal

My solution for that seal in the upper was to buy a better used upper from a guy in Minnesota, said it was on a boat with 150 hours. The season is short up there. It was $200 and I hope it does well. Bought a gear pump with the fitting I need to do pressure test and have brake bleeder vacuum pump, almost ready to test for sure. I will test the lower and maybe have if done. Getting closer to being dependable and safe. Started up the motor the other day, just wanted to hear it run. Hooked up water hose to the fitting that goes thru the transom. It sounded and ran great, quieter without the noisey gimbal bearing spinning but healthy exhaust sounds without going thru the prop. Getting new lower cable tomorrow. Need to tap the bellhousing and start putting it back together right.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: removing propeller shaft seal

wow that sounds like a fair price to me... You realize any metal released by your failing upper goes in to the lower and will toast it too.. I don't remember if you had metal in your oil or not. I just remember the oil in the bellows...

Season is about to kick off here, and you can tell.. Everyone is scrambling around trying to get there rig running.. Even myself, I have parts ordered and a few more to order.. Won't be long.. I hope you get her sea worthy

 

[marvinjansen]

Re: removing propeller shaft seal

More fun on the water than in the shop for sure. Like my sail boats when there's wind, less shop time.
found the lower cable threads in the bell housing to already be tapped out and no need to tap them with the special 1/4-18 npsf tap. Mine is what I think is original 1973 MC165, so check yours before buying a tap. Hope to be able to use a deep socket with a vice grip on top to put in new one.