140 Johnson T&T issues... Buy or pass?

[Dubh Chal]

In your experienced opinion, what does this tell you...

"motor runs great, trim and tilt are a little wonky, replaced trim motor and rebuilt tilt unit think it is full of air, dont know how to bleed unit..."

Something to worry about? or something fairly easy to deal with?

D

 

[Haffiman]

Re: 140 Johnson T&T issues... Buy or pass?

What do you mean by 'wonky'??

 

[Dubh Chal]

Re: 140 Johnson T&T issues... Buy or pass?

I don't know, that is what is posted in the "for sale" ad. I've never owned a boat before, so wondering if I should bother with this or not.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: 140 Johnson T&T issues... Buy or pass?

Never by an engine you have not tested or seen running unless you know how to fix and at what cost.

 

[Dubh Chal]

Re: 140 Johnson T&T issues... Buy or pass?

Ok here's what I got back from him...

"wonky means it dont work like it suppose to, I replaced trim motor and had tilt unit rebuilt in winnipeg, trim works but tilt wont pick up motor, you can hear a gurgling so I think it needs air bled out and I just dont know how to do that..... actually started her up and took her for a rip this year and she ran goood,..."

Well, except for his 'wonky' tilt issue.

Good advice on buying an engine with issues, it's what was going through my mind and why I am asking the question. If it turns out that this is an issue that can easliy be rectified, then it still might be worth buying the package deal. If not then, maybe not.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 140 Johnson T&T issues... Buy or pass?

If it is just air, it is a simple fix, I would assume. Of course, if he had the PTT rebuilt, why is there air in it? You might post year of motor, for better info.

BTW - normally tilting the motor up, locking it up and letting it sit allows the bleeding of the system.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: 140 Johnson T&T issues... Buy or pass?

It's so simple to bleed these things, makes me wonder why the current owner or the guy that supposedly rebuilt the trim unit didn't do that. I'm thinking there's something more serious wrong, but who knows. All you have to do is unscrew the fill plug and fill-er-up with the proper hydraulic fluid (OMC tilt/trim fluid fairly inexpensive at any OMC dealer) OR (I've used Dexron II for years with no issues), replace the fill plug then run the unit up and down a few times and repeat until it won't take any more fluid.

IF that's all that's wrong with it and you really like the boat I'd be tempted to invest in some trim/tilt fluid and take it when you look at the boat. If everything else on the boat checks out then tell the seller that the sale is contingent on bleeding the trim unit. If he balks, or if that doesn't fix it then walk away.

 

[Dubh Chal]

Re: 140 Johnson T&T issues... Buy or pass?

Hey thanks, that does sound simple enough. The motor is a 1978 140 Johnson. I do like the boat except for the lack of seating. I think it is more a ski boat than a cruiser, but the shape and style are very nice looking and sleek. I'm guessing the seats could easily be changed out for something else. Perhaps I will go look at it with some fluid. Here's a pic...

View attachment 109583

 

[Dubh Chal]

Re: 140 Johnson T&T issues... Buy or pass?

Well I'm too late now, he sold it to someone "sight unseen" ... good luck with that!