Just changed the impeller new gaskets, plate, and sillycone between exhaust and pump area. Why is my 1997 XR 6 150 Merc cooling the lower unit with water? here is a pic after running it on muffs of the lower unit oil. What the he77 did I do wrong? Only had this happen once in 1998 first time I changed the impeller forgot the sillycone.

Will disassemble it tomorrow it is Patron time for me.

Did you pull/replace the lower water pump housing? There is a big o-ring there that could be broken or worn. I usually pull the lower housing and replace the o-ring every other time I do the impeller.....impeller every 2 years and both bottom o-ring and impeller every 4 years....

Also bad gaskets on the drain and vent plugs can let water in....

No I did not replace lower just gaskets like normal. I will replace the O ring tomorrow. Seems like it is spraying water somewhere inside I'm hoping it's not the pipe rubber bushing at motor. It has filled up the area around pump it is still dripping out of weep holes up top on lower. Tomorrow will tell, again thanks for the tip on the O ring.

I did replace the gaskets for vent and drain. Old drain was broken when I got to it.

There is also a shaft seal in the lower housing that could be bad.....

Drive shaft seal right, will inspect all of those in the morning. Prop shaft seal looks good inspected it today. Might just change them all anyway.

You really need to get a lower unit pressure test tool.

If you can't find a pressure kit close by, you can just use a bicycle jack. Get a hose and one of the fittings for your lower unit to fill the oil and put it on the pump. Doesn't take much pressure then spray everything with soapy water and look for bubbles. Better than keep taking the lower unit on and off. Youtube it and you'll find how to check it for leaks.

Never thought about pressure test thanks guys.

Yesterday I found this not sure how it got there maybe stuck to impeller never saw it. The gaskets were soaked with water like there was no press on them. Torqued the nuts to 60 inch pounds as specified. Sat. was one of those days I could not pour pizz out of a boot with instructs written on heal.

Its nice to find an obvious problem so it can be fixed and be done with it....

Any suggestions on what to flush lower unit with to get contaminated oil out.

Dextron trany fluid

Thanks would have never thought of that. Should clean it right up.