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Water in foot

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Richard Mertins

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"I replaced my water pump on &

"I replaced my water pump on '88 9.9 Mercury and now have water in the foot. I don't know if I had water already. How do I trouble shoot for a water leak.
Thanks,
Richard"
 
"Richard, you could pressure t

"Richard, you could pressure test to confirm that you have a leak, but obviously the water came in.

Since you noticed this after an (impeller?) change, I would ask if you also replaced the waterpump seals/gaskets?

If not that could well be the problem. I consider it a good practice to install a new impeller every second year, and a full waterpump kit (which includes seals etc) every second impeller change (4 year intervals).

That precludes many "leak" issues just in the course of routine maintenance.

Was your gear oil just a little milky or do you have significant water in it?? When was the gear oil last changed?

Particularly in northern climates you will get some water intrusion no matter what you do or how well it is maintained - usually no more than just enough to taint the oil - however, if the water will settle out (in a glass jar of the the gear oil), then you probably have a seal problem that needs attention...."
 
"Graham, all new gaskets/seals

"Graham, all new gaskets/seals. I don't know when the foot oil was checked last, when I went to replace it after the pump change and test run only water came out! I put in new oil, ran it and drained out mixed oil water, then replaced with new foot oil, test ran and have tan colored oil now. Where the shift rod enters the foot could be the problem?
Richard"
 
"Richard, that is possible. T

"Richard, that is possible. The shift shaft goes through a "quad ring" where it enters the waterpump base.

That could be bad. Or it may have been the washers on the fill/vent plugs on the lower unit, the O-ring for the bearing carrier on the prop shaft or may have even been one of the seals you replaced.

That is why it is a good practice to replace the gear oil at least once a season. This may have been a minor leak that has been let go for a number of years.

I would continue (flushing) the lower unit with new gear oil until it comes out clear. A bit of a pain, but at least this only takes about 6 or 7 ounces of fluid. Replace the little washers on the vent/drain plug and maybe give the motor a test again - watch for cloudy oil - you may have already solved the problem...."
 
"Good advice, how much water w

"Good advice, how much water would it take to color the oil? I need to replace those washers anyway, where would you get them?"
 
"Richard, any Merc dealer &#40

"Richard, any Merc dealer (or pretty much any outboard dealer - they are a common size) will have them. A pair of washers is about a buck.

Even a few drops of water will make the gear oil slightly milky. If however, you let it settle in a glass jar for a day or so, as long as you don't get a definate layer of water on the bottom, it's usually not a major issue..."
 
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