Evinrude 115 wierd water spray

[wiscoboater]

Hi guys,
Working on a 1985 evinrude 115. Motor runs nice and pumps plenty of water, not overheating. It’s spraying water from the separation line between the lower unit and the leg. I have never seen water come out in that location before. it is spraying from 3 or 4 different spots. Could it be a cracked water pump cover? No time to drop the lower until next weekend. Has anyone seen this before?

[RICK EICHRODT]

In later OMC larger size motors, the midsection on those motors were relieved around where the bolts attach the lower unit to the tower. I believe it was because in salt water areas, that would allow the lower unit to be separated easier. I have seen some of the earlier OMC motors spray small streams of water out around the seam. It could be the "wall of water" which helps silence the motor leaking due to a work out rubber exhaust seal on the lower unit. It is nothing to worry about, as long as the motor is pumping water out the tell tale indicator tube and out the two exhaust relief holes.

[wiscoboater]

Thank you rick, This 85 is new to me. It’s the newest motor I own. When I strip it down this winter for repainting I’ll check that seal. I seem to remember them being a softer more porous type of rubber/foam. After 31 years of use it’s due anyway.

Happy boating to you!!

[frankr]

The leakage question gets asked regularly. Yes, the leak is absolutely normal. In earlier years, the factory applied sealer to that seam when assembling. But if not resealed when the unit was removed for service, they leak. Not a problem, and as already mentioned at some point they put deliberate gaps in that seam for even more drainage. Yours should at least have a drain hole at the forward end of the seam. Of course all this is to prevent corrosion and/or freezing during storage. So leakage or drainage is a good thing.

[wiscoboater]

Thank you Frank. I’m in Southern Wisconsin so the freezing part is really only about a month and a half away. Where the heck did August go?

Great info and thank you for the "peace of mind"

Jeff

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