johnson fd-11 1957 18 hp

[John Vaivoda]

Is this hole on the top of the lower unit supposed to be there to drain out water? I know the lower one on the side is, but am not sure about the upper one that is draining out oil mixed with water. Both holes are draining oil water mix. I am assuming the drive shaft seal under the impeller  needs to be replaced? I am replacing the prop seal also while it is apart.  Also was wondering if that which is draining  is just from the what ends up being dirty filthy oil water from running it in the test barrel, but I don’t think so. I only ran it a couple of minutes, and the water wasn’t That Dirty! See picture below.  Aslo, I can’t get the top cylinder to stop misfiring. The new points are flush, and it is timed with a timing tool. I replaced the spark plug wire also. Wondering if the coil is throwing intermitten spark? Thank you so much for anyone of you that can help. sincerely, John V

[dave-bernard]

IS the oil in the lower clean or mixed with water ?????????

[labrador-guy]

John, Yes that hole is there to drain the water from around the water pump.  The exhaust and oily residue also accumulates there.   It is a problem with heavy oil gas mixtures.   I call that mess Goobers!   Early 50’s motors did not have that drain hole.  Motors left out in the cold would freeze up and sometimes break the exhaust case.  I have several motors around here that I drilled a hole in that area to let the water out.

Lots of members like to run 16 to 1 gas oil mixture.   Some oils make a bigger mess than others.   If you run 24 to 1 mixture or somewhere in between the two.   It does make a difference in the grey sludge.  Biodegradable TCW oils are a must!

dale

• This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by labrador-guy.

[Mumbles]

That looks more like gear oil mixed with water than unburned fuel mix coming out of the drain holes.  The shift rod O ring is a prime candidate for leaking and should be included in a seal set.

Make sure you get the correct prop shaft seal as the OD size  changed on them around this time. I think it was the ’57 FDE-11K and ’58 and later used the different seal. Some Sierra kits came with several seals in them and would cover all models.

[fleetwin]

Yes, be sure this is gear lube leaking and not oil emulsion from the powerhead, does look like gear lube though.  I would pressure test the unit before disassembly to pinpoint the actual leak.

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