H. I. McDunnough
Regular Contributor
Come winter I usually replace my lower unit lube. Or at least open up the lower drain plug to look at the lube, until I can get to it, which I did this year. As usual, a tiny bit of water followed by good clean lube came out. In haste to get on fish this year , I took it out a couple times on last years lube. When i did drain the lube, it did not look fresh and it had some white clumps in it. I put a pressure test on it , and I could hear air coming out of the top. Two years ago i replaced the impeller. When I tested it it leaked around the prop shaft, so I replaced those then. When I removed the pump base, I noticed that the oil seal lips were facing opposite directions; the top to the pump and the bottom to the gear case. The manual describes both of them facing the gear case. I’m beginning to question the logic of a pressure test if the seals are meant to keep water out, not keep lube in. Any thoughts on that? I’m planning on dressing the base gasket and putting the upper two in dry. Any thoughts on that? I have a lot of pitting on the aluminum pump base. I’ve found a pump base that’s made of plastic. Are there any issues with those? Another question I have about the pump base is on the lower o-ring. The manual’s part list lists two o-rings, but the diagram shows one. The o-rings are sold in pairs. The seat on the base is quite large. I’m wondering if they are intended to be stacked. I appreciate any comments.