1982 johnson 60 gear oil leak.

Hi there, I live in Massachusetts and just pulled my old boat out of a barn where I had stored it all winter. I got it home, and it sat in my driveway over night. I noticed the next day it had a puddle of gear oil coming from the where the exhaust comes out in the middle of the prop. I replaced the upper oil seals under the water pump about 4 years back and after removing the lower unit from the engine, I have determined it's not those that are leaking. Times are tough and I do all the work on my toys myself. My question is how many seals are there in for the prop shaft. I know there is at least one I can see after removing the prop, but then when I look further back I can see 3 small bolts, is there another seal behind those bolts too? It looks as tho that is where the oil is pooling up. I also wanted to ask if I need a special puller to pull those pieces out, and how hard of a job is this going to be? Any help or input would be great. I have used this site a few times over the years and it has gotten me through all the different problems I have had with this engine. Thank you for your time!

There is a large oring that goes around the bearing carrier. This may be your problem if it is pooling in the area inside the bearing carrier.

Thank you very much, I imagine that's probably where the problem is. I might as well replace the seals around the shaft while I have it apart. Do I need a puller to remove the bearing carrier after removing the 3 bolts? Thanks

Leakage around the lower unit may well be the oil that is mixed with the gas or fogging oil from winterizing the motor.----------Gear cases can be pressure tested to look for leaks.

Hey there, I am certain it is gear oil. I went to my local marine engine shop and they wanted 100$ just to do the pressure test. I figure since I already replaced the seals on top, and there was no oil present around there, that it has to be the big o-ring around the bearing carrier or the seals around the prop shaft. Just not sure if I need a 3 armed puller to pull the piece without damaging it. The last thing I want to do is damage the entire case. Thanks.

Please need help!!!!, I removed the 3 bolts holding the bearing carrier and my wheel puller wont work for this application. What tool and where can I buy it to remove this?!

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Please need help!!!!, I removed the 3 bolts holding the bearing carrier and my wheel puller wont work for this application. What tool and where can I buy it to remove this?!

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omc makes the tool for the job, you woiuld have to know the part number of the tool to order it. and dont be suprised if its a couple/few hundred dollars. you need to find a service manual for your motor and that will have the part/tool number you will need. you can find the tools on ebay cheaper sometimes if you can find the tool on there.some parts stores carry mercury/mercruiser tools but i dont think they carry OMC tools although im not sure..

try harbor freight, i bought a bearing puller that has a slideweight/hammer with 3 different length rods and about 20 bearing fittings in a kit for 22.00 and it worked to pull bearings and seals from my drive shaft on my johnson....

Yes unfortunately I smelled it and looked at it, definately gear oil. I will begin soaking it in power steering fluid tonight. I doubt it has ever been pulled before, the boat sat 15 years before I came along and bought it. I have owned it about 8 years now and when I got it I rebuilt carbs, fuel pump, and the oil seals in the top of the lower unit. It's been a great engine, very reliable. I will work on getting the puller this weekend. I'll keep you all posted. Thank you very much everyone for all the help!