Reply To: Evinrude Fastwin 18 HP 15032 Leaking Around Exhaust

[Jeff Barsch]

Fleetwin-unfortunately I do not have a video of that side of the motor when it was running and I have fogged the cylinders to try to eliminate it seizing up again until I can chase down the cause. The spark plugs were definitely wet when I pulled them to fog the cylinders. You are correct in your understanding that the water was leaking around all 4 of the center exhaust cover bolts, not squirting per se but a constant drizzle. I will need to pull the power head to access the lower two center bolts as it is too tight to work on it in the exhaust leg so pulling the whole exhaust cover is still definitely on the table. I agree I have too much work into it and really want to eliminate the root cause. It is a freshwater motor and everything looked ok on reassembly, no saltwater corrosion nor any pitting or pinholes that I could see on either the outer or stainless inner cover and everything cleaned up real well. I blew out all the water passages to make sure they were clear prior to reassembling the block. There was a lot of carbon buildup on the exhaust side which was removed during cleanup. I assumed the seize up was caused by a lower seal failure as has been discussed in numerous posts but it may have occurred from an exhaust leak. perhaps the carbon buildup caused everything to warp a little as suggested and likely led to seized bolts.

sydinnj I did not use a bottom tap just a cheap harbor freight tap kit but did blow all the holes out with air and carb cleaner but I get your point that perhaps some debris is stopping the bolts from reaching full depth.

My plan is to pull power head, pull and dress outer exhaust cover, and reinstall with washers under the bolt heads to eliminate bottoming out of the bolts. Cleaning threads and resealing will also occur. I will post back results but it might be a few days.

Thank you all for help and ideas.

Jeff

1954 Evinrude 7.5 HP
1954 Evinrude 15 HP
1954 Gale 12 HP
1955 Johnson 10 HP
1956 Johnson 10 HP
1956 Gale 12 HP
1956 Evinrude 5.5 HP
1957 Johnson Golden Javelin 35
1958 Johnson 7.5
1960 Evinrude 18 HP
1973 Johnson 6 HP