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dynomite00

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"ive got a 81 35hp johnson out

"ive got a 81 35hp johnson outboard, my question is, is there supposed to be oil in the lower unit? ive had it out to replace the impeller and it doesnt have any oil in it, it runs fine though. any help is greatly appreciated. thanks."
 
"If by "lower unit" yo

"If by "lower unit" you mean the gearcase, then yes there most certainly should be gearcase oil in it! Now you mention replacing the impeller... The waterpump sits on TOP of the gearcase housing, in the exhaust housing or "midsection"... There won't be any oil in there...

On the gearcase (down by the prop / water inlet screens) you'll find two FLAT HEAD screws (plugs)... One is up high close to the cavitation plate and the other is down low towards the bottom of the gearcase...

Remove the bottom plug and let a little (tsp or so) oil drain out... CHeck it to make sure it's oil and not water or really milky oil... If so, then remove BOTH plugs and let the old oil drain out and replace with new (pump in from the bottom hole UP)...

Do NOT remove any phillips head screws down there..."
 
"Yup, most any marine shop wil

"Yup, most any marine shop will sell a "pump" that screws into the top of the oil container.. (Think Ketchup/Mustard pump at your local hotdog stand... ;) The nozzle of that pump has a hose attached and on the opposite end is a "threaded" piece. You screw that into the hole (at the bottom) where the plug was and then (with both plugs removed) pump oil in until it starts to come out the vent hole (Top one).

In case you're curious, the reason you pump from the bottom up is because if you try to fill it from the top down, it can trap air bubbles/pockets... You "think" it's full, but in reality it might only be half full... Filling from bottom up eliminates any air pockets and makes sure it's completely full."
 
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