1978 Johnson Tilt/Trim Problem

[JohnnySCV]

Hello, I have a 1978 Johnson Outboard 85 HP engine. The Tilt/Trim is acting up and I'm wondering if anyone could provide a solution as I am not sure replacing the motor is the answer.

When I try to lower the motor (mostly from when it is almost all the way up) the tilt/trim motor just spins almost like something is slipping. I have to go back and forth with the switch to get it to engage, and sometimes I have to use the screw on the side to lower the motor a bit and bleed it to get it to go. I completely bled the system and used a lightweight fluid that the marine store recommended. Again this is an intermittent problem but mostly only when the engine is close to or completely up.

Any thoughts?

 

[JohnnySCV]

Re: 1978 Johnson Tilt/Trim Problem

Quick update. I checked the fluid level and realized it was red again (the hydrauic jack fluid that had been in there was never fully removed) I again drained as much as I could replacing the hydraulic fluid with the correct fluid and it seems to work better. Is it possible that simply the wrong fluid could cause the tilt/trim to act up?

 

[crb478]

Re: 1978 Johnson Tilt/Trim Problem

more likely that you ran out of fluid with the rams extended and it air locked.

 

[JohnnySCV]

Re: 1978 Johnson Tilt/Trim Problem

Is there a way, or better yet, wat is the proper way to completely drain and refill the TNT system? I bought a manual but it doesn't cover simply draining and refilling.

 

[crb478]

Re: 1978 Johnson Tilt/Trim Problem

Before trying to completely drain and refill I would try to fill it up to the drain level with the engine in the up position and then cycle it up and down a few times and then refill again to see if that fixes the problem. To totally drain the system you would probably need to take it apart.

 

[JohnnySCV]

Re: 1978 Johnson Tilt/Trim Problem

Thanks for the response. I have cycled the engine up and down a numbr of times. The problem is this, the hydraulic fluid (red) that I think was casuing the problem is still in the system eventhough I have drained it as best as I could. I even used a large syringe with a tube to draw out the fluid. After a few cycles up and down the light yellow oil I am using is red again. There mus be a ton of that stuff in there. Is that system as easy to remove as it looks? It appears that two bolts on each side as well as a cotter pin on the main hydraulic ram and it's out........

 

[jbuckley]

Re: 1978 Johnson Tilt/Trim Problem

Hi Can I refill with Oil while the rams are up.
Any thoughts?[/QUOTE]

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1978 Johnson Tilt/Trim Problem

refill, run motor up, lock it there, the fill, cycle down and back up, fill again. keep cycling.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1978 Johnson Tilt/Trim Problem

FIll it with the rams as high as they will go, but be sure to use the trail locks before opening the fill hole.

Try to have the trailer on level ground.

 

[jbuckley]

Re: 1978 Johnson Tilt/Trim Problem

Thank you for your input. I Managed to get the motor to go down and up however it wont go back down unless I bleed it. By bleeding will this get the air out.
Any thoughts?[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1978 Johnson Tilt/Trim Problem

Cycle the motor up and down several times with the fill plug tightly closed and then repeat the whole process; this will eventually get air out. You may need to help the motor along, especially while rising.

Make sure that the tilt tube is well greased.

 

[jbuckley]

Re: 1978 Johnson Tilt/Trim Problem

What do you mean grease the Tilt Tube

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1978 Johnson Tilt/Trim Problem

There are two grease fittings on the front of the transom bracket that lubricate the tilt tube so that the motor swings up and down easily.