Water leak

[SweeperForce]

Hello,
All summer I have been fight with my gear case trying to keep the water out. After each run I have to drain the oil/water mixture. At $12 a quart this got expensive. I pulled the bearing cage out and everything looks ok. To my understanding the only way water can get in is either around the cage which should stopped by the rear cage ring or in between the cage andthe prop shaft, which should br stopped by a seal. I intend to rplace both rings and the seal. Is there any thing I am overlooking?


Thanks,
Tom

 

[TwoFish]

Re: Water leak

Other two places I can think of are where the main drive shaft enters the lower unit, under the water pump and the seal on the shift linkage.

Pressure test the lower unit to find the leak. Otherwise you are just guessing. It's also cheaper than replacing oil several times chasing the leak. If the shafts are damaged new seals can still leak.

Good Luck

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Water leak

The bearing cage also needs four O-Rings and flat washers under the retaining bolts. Without these seals water will enter the lower unit.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Water leak

There's also an O ring #23 under the top plate that the water pump is bolted to.

The seals (look like O rings) that Frank is referring to are #93.

The seals twofish is referring to are 18, 19 and 20.

Mercury & Mercruiser Parts, GEAR HOUSING, 150 H.P.

 

[TwoFish]

Re: Water leak

The blue washer # 3 on the drain plug need replacing every time and the o ring # 7 may need replacing. Not sure how often #7 needs to be replace as my motor only has the blue washers. At about $1.00 each it would not add much to the cost.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Water leak

Like the other said all the seals and such.
Then when you reinstall the plug. Do you put pipe tape or pipe dope on the threads?
You using the original plastic crush washers on the fill and vent screws?
I use the Mercruiser/Mercury ones.
OMC used hard plastic for a bunch of years and I found they suck.
Like someone suggested do a pressure test first.
There were a few threads on making your own tester try to find them.