Gearcase Removal 1995 Johnson J4REOD 4hp

[Henry Morgan]

Hi Folks,
I recently started up a '95 Johnson 4hp that had been sitting in my garage for 12 years. It ran for a few minutes but then the water pump stopped working. I purchased a service manual and a water pump kit. The manual says in order to remove the lower gearcase to get to the water pump, you have to drain the oil and remove the propeller. Is that true? I thought I should be able to remove the two bolts holding the gearcase on and the whole thing, including the drive shaft, should slide out. It's sems like it's caught on something and it won't release. I banged on it a bit with a rubber mallet but I'm a little leery of trying to force it. Anybody have experience with this particular engine and project? I'm trying to avoid removing the propeller if I don't have to. Or maybe I should go ahead and change the oil in there since it's old? The engine itself is practically new - probably has no more than 5 hours on it. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Henry Morgan]

You need to pull the four bolts holding the powerhead and remove it to get to the shift link pull pin and then you can drop the gearbox. Just sitting for 17 years yes it needs a impeller. You may want to either get a new gasket for the powerhead exhaust housing to put it back together or just make one or a light coat of permatex #2 if you dont destroy it too bad never use silicone. Turn the driveshaft clockwise when installing the impeller and never turn it backwards after you put it in. Turn the flywheel clockwise to line up the splines.

Thanks kimcrwbr1. Sounds easy enough. I'm a little surprised I have to pull the powerhead but what the hey, I've got nothing better to do.