Water leaking from my lower unit.

[Jonnymac]

Hi guys,

I have a Johnson 50hp 2003 outboard and whilst out this weekend I raised the engine out of the water and saw water spraying from where my lower unit meets the anti-ventillation plate.

Can you advise me what the problem may be and how I can go about fixing it.

Thanks in advance.

[yam man]

Could be exhaust sealing flange which is sealed when the lower unit is bolt to the mid section or the water pump housing is leaking . You will need to remove the lower unit .

[Jonnymac]

Thanks Yam Man,

I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to mechanics, how would I know which problem it will be will there be any obvious signs and is it a job I would be able to do myself ???

[9D280]

Jonny,

Is this something it's always done, or a recent change? Can you get a pic?

The bottom half of legs on outboards are generally not sealed - assuming Johnsorude haven't changed their manufacturing methods in the last 30 years (mine is a '73!) there is likely going to be an exhaust tube that seals into the top of the gearcase - the gearcase casting then ducts the exhaust to the prop in your case (or the hole behind the prop in my case).

A sizeable chunk of the coolant (if not all in a modern engine bar what comes out the telltale) is also pumped down the exahust to stop the leg overheating. That exhaust tube is sealed to the gearbox & the bottom of the powerhead. The rest of the cavity in the leg is like a sieve and will fill with water when dunked. I may be flukey but I have never seen a gasket or seal between gearbox & leg on any engine I've stripped. Seals are all inside on the coolant & exhaust pipes.