Seals in the lower leg

[TrollGRG]

I am getting a bit of water in with the oil in the lower leg.

Has anyone ever changed the seals in the lower leg of an outboard?

I am relatively accomplished - would it be something I could do myself or is it better to pay a dealer to do it?

The other option would be to simply replace the oil every 30 or 40 hours. Would it be much cheaper? What kind of harm would it do to the gears, shaft etc.?

[Big Red 250]

I had my 20 Johnson done by a marine service shop a few years back. After they get it back together, they pressure tested it to be sure there wasn't any air leak, then filled with oil. If you got a way to test it, go for it.
They told me that due to the water in the bottom end, one piece, I think it was called a cradle was worn bad and they replaced it and a bearing. This was a few years ago and my memory is kinda foggy.

[fish99]

I did the seals on my 150 omc outboard , easy to do remove prop and bolts in side hub area remove assy and replaced O-rings reinstalled , no mulky oil next fall when winterized. good luck.

[Lund rebel]

With the internet now a days it's not hard to google motor brand and get a service manual, if you can read and have a few general tools anything is achievable. I had found a service manual for my 60 hp merc when I got it new and flipped through it, nothing looked overly challenging to tackle. Heck you could probally find a you tube video and watch it as you go.

[TrollGRG]

Thanks for the info and opinions guys.

I do have a serviced manual but it doesn't really help - never seen anything so badly written.

Youtube has turned p some good demos - once I compare them to my putter I will decide if I should do it myself.

Any ideas on what it would cost to have a shop do it? i.e. is it cost effective?

[Lund rebel]

Being a mechanic myself I would say with shop rates it's easy project to do yourself. I did a front cover on a pickup this weekend shop quoted 2200 for the job cost me 30 dollars for a gasket and 4 hours. A safe bet now a days is anytime anything goes into the shop expect at least 1000. Not sure what shop rates are but assume 100 a hr. All depends on your comfort level ad confidence weather you tackle it you self or get some one else too. The shop most likely will have a warranty on there service so that is nice and more experienced so they know what to look for as maybe a distorted part or cracked or exactly what part has failed.

[Big Red 250]

What size of motor is the starter of this post asking about?

[TrollGRG]

It is a 25 hp Suzuki 3 cylinder 2 stroke

[Big Red 250]

I'm sure when I had my 20 Johnson done it was around $200. This was about 10 years ago tho.

[TrollGRG]

I believe in giving credit when due.

I called around to a few shops who did this kind of thing to get quotes - at least an idea of how much it would cost and we were looking at $450 - $500.

The guy at Barry Jay's (the only shop where I didn't get his name) said that before I do that I should check to see if the washers/seals on the drain plugs were good because a lot of the time that is the only problem. damn - he was right. The washers were broken and torn.

He may have lost money on this deal but he will be getting my business from now on - and I hope you support him to. Great work ethics.