Pictures- Oil leaking from weep holes in lower unit on a looper 120?

**supervetteracer** · 01-06-2016, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by FMP

" ...last night it got down to 28*... ", that's a good one. We got down to -4F or -20*C in town without the windchill.

That sounds terrible. Where are you located? I lived in a tent in Antarctica for 3 months (active Navy) of my life. So I know about real cold. But to live in the cold all the time would not be fun. I'm guessing that you are surrounded by nature. Or you must be getting a good pay check. lol

**supervetteracer** · 01-06-2016, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by mn808gade

by the way water will be on the bottom,oil floats on water.sample bottom plug---water will show up there FIRST... BUT it sounds like driveshaft seals pushed up. time to do a pump replacement anyway-th

Seems that because oil is thicker than water that the water would be on top. But I know that you are correct. I'm always fighting the water fight with my main cruiser. Diesel cat 3208's. The water in the tanks goes to the bottom. So if I get too low on fuel I can count on changing out fuel filters and cleansing the water separators.

So if the driveshaft seals have been pushed up, is the fix as easy as going in and pushing them back into place?

**FMP** · 01-06-2016, 09:23 AM

If you let it sit in the down position without running for long enough it will seperate.

Originally Posted by Dave Strong

Pretty sure thats why you pull the drain screw before the vent screw. If you run high perf gear lube it wont separate and the color of the oil tells you if water is present.

Dave

**outasite** · 01-06-2016, 09:42 AM

Simple check,take a white piece of paper take a sample off the weep hole with your finger wipe it on the paper.Then loosen the drain plug and take a small sample from the gearcase smear it alongside the first--- are they the same color?---yes is bad/no is good

**FMP** · 01-06-2016, 10:00 AM

Change the oil , roll the dice , check it in a few hours running if you feel it is mix not LU.

**supervetteracer** · 01-06-2016, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by FMP

Change the oil , roll the dice , check it in a few hours running if you feel it is mix not LU.

Think I'll just drain what is in there for now and refill during the Spring. Guess I'll plan on changing out the impeller at the same time.
By then I will have learned how to do a pressure test, and hopefully have figured out how to build / buy a pressure gauge.

Unless I get very bored and decide to take this little boat out on the river in the middle of Winter.

**delawarerick** · 01-06-2016, 11:43 AM

Drain and refill don't leave it empty could form condensation just .02

**FMP** · 01-06-2016, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by delawarerick

Drain and refill don't leave it empty could form condensation just .02

**supervetteracer** · 01-06-2016, 07:18 PM

Just drained it. Drum roll......... There must have been about 2 cups of water in the lower unit. But the fluid was not milky at all. It was too dark so I know that the fluid was bad or should I say it was past time for a change.

Sooooo,

Looks like the water started to freeze, it pushed the fluid from the bottom up through the weep holes (Yes, they worked). Guess I won't know if there was any damage until I can pressure check the lower.

**FMP** · 01-06-2016, 07:22 PM

I doubt a couple hours just bellow freezing did anything at all. Find the bad seal or do the complete.

**Dave Strong** · 01-06-2016, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by supervetteracer

Just drained it. Drum roll......... There must have been about 2 cups of water in the lower unit. But the fluid was not milky at all. It was too dark so I know that the fluid was bad or should I say it was past time for a change.

Sooooo,

Looks like the water started to freeze, it pushed the fluid from the bottom up through the weep holes (Yes, they worked). Guess I won't know if there was any damage until I can pressure check the lower.

Make sure to refill with oil to prevent the internals from rusting.

Dave

**flabum1017** · 01-06-2016, 08:09 PM

Looks like the driveshaft seal went bad, it's under the water pump and subject to water pressure which would allow water intrusion and subsequently over fill the gearcase.... cold/warm cycle will push the oil out at that seal and that's exactly where the oil will end up (at those weep holes. Pull the lower, remove the water pump and pull the seal carrier (4 bolts) and inspect the drive shaft carefully where the seal rides.... they can pit right there taking out the seal......

**harrells** · 01-08-2016, 04:48 PM

tooltopia.com has a vac./ pressure tester. mityvac-MV8500 for $60.00

**perfmarine1** · 01-09-2016, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by flabum1017

Looks like the driveshaft seal went bad, it's under the water pump and subject to water pressure which would allow water intrusion and subsequently over fill the gearcase.... cold/warm cycle will push the oil out at that seal and that's exactly where the oil will end up (at those weep holes. Pull the lower, remove the water pump and pull the seal carrier (4 bolts) and inspect the drive shaft carefully where the seal rides.... they can pit right there taking out the seal......

This /\, replace the 2 driveshaft seals,note how they are in before removing, and replace the o-ring on the carrier. Not a hard job. And like said check your driveshaft for pitting where the seals ride,replace driveshaft if pitted.

Do not let that gearcase sit without fluid put back in if it had water. It will rust and seize.

**supervetteracer** · 01-14-2016, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by perfmarine1

This /\, replace the 2 driveshaft seals,note how they are in before removing, and replace the o-ring on the carrier. Not a hard job. And like said check your driveshaft for pitting where the seals ride,replace driveshaft if pitted.

Do not let that gearcase sit without fluid put back in if it had water. It will rust and seize.

You guys know of a video out there that may help me when I end up tearing this lower unit off? I changed impellers on my old yamaha. But I have no experience with an OMC. Want to make sure that I do it right.

If no video is available perhaps I will make one when I do this job. #blindleadingtheblind