Johnson outboat question

[tnman]

I now that this is PWC forum, but you guys have been so helpful I thought I would go ahead and ask an outboard question. I have an older 90 Johnson outboard. I am still learning what I need to do to maintain it. I had some work done on it and the mechanic told me I didn’t have to “drain” this motor in the Fall. He said it would self-drain. It has been setting (not run) since last fall. Yesterday I opened the plug on the lower unit gear oil to check it’s color and it oozed out a yellowish milk color. My first thought is that it has water mixed in, but it is a thick motor oil consistency and should the water have separated from the oil if it has been setting? My question is what to do now. First, is this something I can tackle or should I just take it to the shop? If it is water, how do I find where it came in and what is the fix? Also, if there was water in the oil all winter is in able to freeze and cause greater damage? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[R-Doo]

That is the plug for the lower unit gear oil.
It keeps the drive shaft and gear to the propeller lubed. This should be drained and refilled each winter as water can enter from the seal behind the prop.
It should have something close to 90 weight gear oil.
There should be a drain and a vent plug. let it drain out and then pump in thru the lower hole the oil till it comes out the vent.
Screw in the vent and then remove the fill hose and close up.
If excess water got in you might have freeze issues but there usually isn't that much so you should be fine.
You probably only need about a quart to refill. You something like this:

Here's a link to a you tube on how to do it:

[xxx2]

Pull your prop and make sure there isn't fishing line that took out your prop seal. You will need to drain, and perform a pressure test if you have to pull the lower unit it is a good time to replace your water pump impeller and take a look at your zincs (sacrificial anodes)

[xxx2]

Ps. Looks like someone already tried but don't remove that Philips head in between the fill and level holes. It will cause an internal piece to fall and you will have to be pulling the lower unit off for repair

[steach]

Thanks

That is exactly what clean/used lower-end lube should look like.
-that pic made me gag a little cause I pictured the SMELL in my head.

You should google the owner's or shop manual for that lower-end and read up.
-or do what post #2 said.

[nmpeter]

outboard water procedures are exactly OPPOSITE of the ones you use on a pwc engine.

water on first.

then engine start

[tnman]

Thanks to everyone who commented to my question. Once again you guys have come though. I am going to follow your advice and hope to have her back on the water soon. nmpeter, you are absolutly right. I had to have the impeller replaced. The mechanic said it was because I "blew out" the motor. Two more questions. Can water actually mix with oil? My simple brain says that if there is water if would have some level of seperation after setting all winter. Where is the best place to purhase the oil and pump kit and drain plug O rings?