Reply To: Help removing lower unit 1985 evinrude 6hp

[Don]

jeff-register wrote:

Next time you do an impeller use vasoline perto jelly. It is inert & will not attack the rubber in the impeller. Never put grease on the top of the driveshaft, only the sides. It will create downward pressure on the driveshaft.
Don,
Why no grove for an o-ring on the splines, Thought they had that one down!!

Jeff
Someone at OMC had a “better idea”. Instead of the conventional oring on top of the driveshaft to seal the splines, the lower seal housing has two seals. The larger diameter seal is for the crankcase, the smaller diameter seal is to seal the driveshaft splines. This engine series is known for premature spline rusting resulting in seized crank/driveshaft splines. This situation did not get much better with the “two seal” method. I can only “guess” that the crank materials are subject to premature rust.
So, I recommend that the gearcase be removed once a year on salt water engines to clean and relube the splines.
Jeff- Please check your PMs, thanks Don