Propshaft seal problems

[bw1969]

I've got a mid 80's x-flow lower unit witha lwp. It has started pushing out the propshaft seals. It has happened 4 times now, three with the first bearing carrier so I figured it had to be the carrier so I swapped it out and now it has happened again. The bearing carrier is pinned and I have a stainless ring pressed into the gearcase housing. This is driving me crazy I ran the crap out of this motor last summer without any problems but I'm getting tired of resealing and filling the lower every other time I take the boat out now. Has anybody had this happen or have any ideas how to fix it? And I had the shaft straightened to within .001 before it was installed.
Thanks!

[flabum1017]

Sounds like too much oil. I have seen people fill the gearcase with the prop end tilted down, this allows too much oil in the gearcase and not enough air for oil expansion. The propshaft should be level when you fill it and you should stop filling when the oil just starts comming out the vent.

[Riverratt]

I had the same problem with my last gearcase after 10 good seasons with no problems. We took a punch and knurled the sealing area to give a little bite to help hold them in and we also used omc gasket sealer. I don't know what caused the problem but this helped with the solution.

[flabum1017]

Another trick is to put the seals in the carrier with Red Loc-Tite.

[donmac]

I have never installed propseals without red locktite on a prepped surface,never had a failure.

[flabum1017]

I have never installed propseals without red locktite on a prepped surface,never had a failure.


It depends on the seal. OMC reccommends gasket sealer on seals with a painted casing and red loc-tite on seals with a bare metal casing.

[bw1969]

Thanks for the replies guys. I thought I was pretty careful with the oil level, I think I'll try a little less oil and some locktite. I'm also gonna replace the driveshaft seals, it was suggested to me that the water pump might be forcing water in through the driveshaft seal. I really appreciate all the suggestions. This is really driving me nuts.

[flabum1017]

If water was getting in, the oil would be milky.