Tilt & Trim bleeding down J150exedb

[ronnieverette]

What do I fix (test) first? The t&t motor runs fine, she has plenty of fluid, and no air in the system. I jack her up and she falls due to gravity. (takes about 30 seconds) I don't know if I should buy a seal and o-ring kit, or a new valve body, because I don't know how it works internally. It it the tilt ram, the trim rams, or the valve body? My guess is that fluid is leaking by a seal / o-ring / check valve somewhere. How do I test things? What normally causes this problem? I've searched and read hundreds of postings, but can find nothing that sounds like my problem.

I took it off the boat last night and was just about to take it apart to find out anything I can about what is what. I just thought I would ask before I start making more problems.

1996 Johnson 150 (J150exedb) T&T assembly part #0433460

 

[nymack66]

Re: Tilt & Trim bleeding down J150exedb

Check the manual release screw (starboard side) on the T&T make sure its tight any air through here will cause this.
If not you need to replace it or have a professional rebuild it for you. Its worn rubber seals internally, can be tricky and expensive to fix.
Its why I keep a spare in immaculate condition. I hate down times during Boating season.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Tilt & Trim bleeding down J150exedb

run tilt all the way up and see if the resoivior is full. it not fill, lower and repeat until full.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Tilt & Trim bleeding down J150exedb

The manual release valve has to be tightened to 45-55in lbs, thats very hard to do with just a screwdriver.

 

[ronnieverette]

Re: Tilt & Trim bleeding down J150exedb

Thanks for the advise guys. Is there a way to test the Manual release valve? I have removed it and visually inspected, but what can you tell from that right. As far as the level of fluid I have checked the level and it is full.

 

[nymack66]

Re: Tilt & Trim bleeding down J150exedb

I only know of a system test using two pressure gauges per my manual for my 87 not sure what the process on your model is.Sorry

 

[ronnieverette]

Re: Tilt & Trim bleeding down J150exedb

Well, I almost had it. I had taken the unit off the boat to disassemble and repair with new seal kit, or new manual release valve. (still haven't ordered yet) Saturday I went to the lake to sell another boat of mine and really wanted to go swimming. I went home and told the wife to get the kids ready, we were going to the lake on Sunday.

The assembly had been lying on my bench for about two days. I opened the cap to see if she was still full and heard a gurgling sound. I reinstalled it on the boat and opened the manual release valve (1/2 turn) then shut it. Raised the ram to install the other pin.

The engine went up like always but fell much slower. Up and down a few times and she held steady about 1/2 way up, then 2/3 up, then 4/5 up. I'll be dammed I fixed it and don't know how.

That was yesterday. TODAY is today. I was getting ready for the lake and opened the cap to check fluid level. I heard that same gurgling sound. I unblocked the engine and damm if she didn't bleed down all the way to the trim rams. (Why did I mess with it?) Up and down, up and down and she still will not stay tilted.

When I opened the cap while she is on the boat fluid poured out. How much is supposed to be in there? Why is the resivoir cap in the middle of the bowl and not the top?

How did it fix itself and why can't it fix itself again?

 

[nymack66]

Re: Tilt & Trim bleeding down J150exedb

The intermittent issues you mentioned could be a sticking valve or clog screen. You will need to open it up and clean and inspect it for loose rubber pieces etc.
Your screen is part #12 as shown.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt & Trim bleeding down J150exedb

when somebody sends me a system with intermittent failure I do not waste time trying to figure it out. I just rebuild the entire pump circuit including all release, regulating, and check valves. Rams rarely have intermittent failure. They tend to be a go or no-go thing. So i rebuild eerything else. Almost always, somewhere during the process i find an oring that has hardened and cracked or a bit of debris wedged into a corner. But it is a waste of time to go looking for the debris. Just rebuild the darned thing and keep your eyes open for suspicious seals.