Lower Unit Questions-The good news and the bad news
 

1996 Johnson Oceanrunner 175 HP: The good news is that I did not see any signs of trouble while using the engine this fall. The bad news is I thiink I had a problem on the way....

I pulled the drain screws for the lower unit oil to do my seasonal change as I do every year. Instead of a dark greenish black, this year th oil was a dirty yellow color. My first thought was that sea water got into my lower unit. I pulled the prop and inspected the seal. There was a couple of beads of rubber stuck to the seal and the seal did have a tiny tear in it. I also found a small amount of fishing line inside, not much but 2 types, a bit of mono and a bit of braid. My questions:

1) Is there only 1 seal in this area? It seems as though there should be 2. What keeps the water from entering the lower unit from the outside diameter of the prop where the widest diameter slips inside the opening of the lower unit. I'm wondering if there was a seal there and it is completely burned or gone.

2) Is replacing this seal a job I can do on my own or should I have a pro do it? If yes, can you describe the process?

3) I'm flying out of town tomorrow morning until Friday. Can I leave my lower unit exposed as it is for a week or 2 or do I need to put everything back together and fill it with oil just for a week.

Thanks all!

I would make sure it sits in gear oil till you can get it looked at. Salt water already has most likely got up there, and if there is at least oil that will prevent corrison. In no expert though.