White oil in lower unit.

[Old No 7]

I have a 1988 88HP Johnson Outboard. It was been out of the water for 2 seasons now. I just bought it (1st Boat) and found there was water in the oil of the lower unit. It is completely white. I have the Clymers and OEM service manual(photocopy) for the engine. I'm handy but rebuilding this does not seem easy, and the pictures in the OEM manula are not great.<br /><br />My question is: Should I just replace the oil and try it for a while? Will I hurt anything? I've had quite a bit of advice from friends.... all different. I'd like to keep my costs down as much as possible, but at the same time i want to use my boat!<br /><br />Thanks in Advance,<br /><br />Mike<br /><br />PS: I did do a search, but nothing is there about boats that have been stored that I found.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: White oil in lower unit.

Drain the oil out and let it drip good so all will come out.<br />Replace the oil and put new gaskets under the fill and drain screws. These little round gaskets can be obtained at your local rude dealer or boat shop. Try it and see if it is gonna turn milky again. If you want to you can pressure test it.<br />Do a search here and it will tell you how to pressure test it.<br /> Let us know what you found.

 

[Mercathode]

Re: White oil in lower unit.

You may want to go ahead and have that unit resealed. Seals are cheaper than gears. <br /><br />Hope you get her fixed!<br />LW

 

[Mercathode]

Re: White oil in lower unit.

You may want to go ahead and have that unit resealed. Seals are cheaper than gears. <br /><br />Hope you get her fixed!<br />LW

 

[Old No 7]

Re: White oil in lower unit.

Thanks to all that responded. I changed the two plug seals last night. After doing a search I found how to do both a pressure check and a vacuum check....I never would have thought of that! Both were fine. Put new oil in, and ran the motor for about 20 min. Oil is still clean. The boat is going in the water today.<br /><br />I only wish I had found this website 2 months ago!!!<br /><br />Thanks again!

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: White oil in lower unit.

It is easy to replace the seals, just pull the lower unit and remove the shaft and there is the seal looking at you. The prop seal is a little harder but with a little patience you can do it. welcome to the forum

 

[bubbakat]

Re: White oil in lower unit.

no 7 just as I suggested. Always check the screw <br />seals because they are the problem most of the time.<br /><br />Change the oil once a year along with the screw gaskets and you will be fine.<br />I always check mine right before winter thet way if I have water I can drain to keep it from freezing.<br />Now happy boating and welcome aboard.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: White oil in lower unit.

best time to change the oil is during the winte lay up, any water is gone for sure and you have plenty of time to do any repairs if necessary