1982 60HP Johnson Trim/Tilt Leak

benjhind

Cadet
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Messages
8
Hello folks,

I have a 1982 60HP Johnson (J60ELCNM) that is leaking from the power tilt/trim. The fluid is coming from a plastic fitting for the sending unit that is no longer available (0172574). I've tried turning it both ways but it appears to be stripped.

I'm good with motors but this is my first boat and I haven't worked much with hydraulics. It seems pretty flimsy to have a plastic fitting on the side of a hydraulic cylinder - should there even be oil here? I don't have a trim gauge, so do I even need this? Can I just plug it with a bolt that has the same thread? If so - do I seal with teflon tape?

Sorry if these are stupid questions. Thanks for any help!
 

jdaghir

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 1, 2010
Messages
45
There is a seller on Ebay that sells a brass plug that replaces the plastic one. Search Ebay for:

Cylinder Plug for Evinrude Johnson 1972-1989 Tilt Trim Cylinder (0172574)
 

benjhind

Cadet
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Messages
8
Thanks jdaghir! This answers many of my questions. If I can't fabricate a suitable plug I will contact this seller to see whether they ship to Canada.
 

benjhind

Cadet
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Messages
8
Just thought I'd update this thread. I was able to fabricate a plug instead of ordering one.I used a 1/2 x 20 bolt which matched the threads of the original plug. Next I used my angle grinder with a cut off wheel to round off the lower part of the head and cleaned it up with a file. I threaded a nut to the base and cut through the nut and bolt to shorten it to length. Reversing the nut off of the bolt then cleaned up the threads and the plug was finished. I reused the plastic washer from the original plug and it worked like a charm.

Thanks again for your help.
 

Malone111

Cadet
Joined
Jun 2, 2010
Messages
7
Just thought I'd update this thread. I was able to fabricate a plug instead of ordering one.I used a 1/2 x 20 bolt which matched the threads of the original plug. Next I used my angle grinder with a cut off wheel to round off the lower part of the head and cleaned it up with a file. I threaded a nut to the base and cut through the nut and bolt to shorten it to length. Reversing the nut off of the bolt then cleaned up the threads and the plug was finished. I reused the plastic washer from the original plug and it worked like a charm.

Thanks again for your help.
 

Malone111

Cadet
Joined
Jun 2, 2010
Messages
7
benjhind, I have the same problem on a boat I inherited. I know it has been a while but do you by chance have a picture of what you did? Not 100% what you did... Do you remember the pitch or thread of the bolt you used? I also do not have a trim gauge. So I assume the wire coming doesn’t need to connect to anything? The goal is simply to plug up that hole, right?
 
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