1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

[DargelJohn]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

About that corroded wire- I am a novice here as you know but I would guess that the wire is definitely not why the shift rod will not physically move...

Correct, If you have a corrosion problem, as explained by crappie14, root of the problem is probably the sacrifial anode on the lower unit. While the lower unit is off, remove the anode, clean the anode, mating surfaces and bolt with a wire brush. Do not paint or use grease on reinstall.

 

[Eterzian]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

No need to pull the carbs...My current motor is a '96 88SPL and I've done this job before. Take your time...

Disconnect the shift cable (Green arrow), pull the clip out (Yellow arrow), then push in and twist the shift arm (Red arrow).

On reinstallation, I use a straightened clothes hanger, with a small hook bent in the end, to help line up the top of the shift rod.

View attachment 103926

Well that should save me a lot of time!

 

[crappie14]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

I been away from the computer but the steps in the lower unit removal have been described well. Having done this before it can be done by one person, however if you have a buddy that you can recruit for extra eyes and grunt labor it would help. The main thing is remember you are dealing with aluminum and don't force anything, it should slide down, and slide up easily. The hidden bolt under the trim tab was my only stumble on my 88 as it was actually easier than the old 48 I had previous. Take your time and remember the lower unit can be picked up by one person rather easily but the extra set of hands and eyes is always a plus at my shop.

Once the lower unit is removed you will be able to confirm that you have the same issue as I did by removing #24 from the above link, Once I removed the bolts and pulled the housing up it would shift into gear easily by raising the housing however the stainless shift lever was frozen into the housing. I panicked at this point and then realized I could unscrew the shift lever out of the lower unit and counted the turns and made note of how deep it was screwed in. Hind sight is 20/20, get you a measurement of the shift height rod once the lower unit is dropped and note the state the lower unit is in, nuetral, forward or reverse. If you have to remove shift lever, count turns when removing and reinstalling and then recheck your measurement. Once done, I did confirm and it was within the tolerance the manual gave but this must be right or else you will be dropping the lower unit again. Good luck and sorry for the delay about the response.

 

[Eterzian]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Well, in my case everyone- none of this matters. One of the bolts holding on the lower unit just snapped due to excessive corrosion. It was one of the ones next to the trim/tab anode- which apparently wasn't doing its job well. So I can't get the lower unit off- I can't un-stick the shift lever- and I think it is time for mercy and time to bring in a professional who can drill out the stuck bolt and finish the job. Damn. So frustrating after all the research I did and all the help you guys gave me. I gave it my best.

 

[dahoopd]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Eterzian, I got mine apart today. It was way less to be worried about than anticipated. The only issue I found was the shift linkage lever has to be slid forward and out to get the lower end to release.

Crappie, would it be beneficial to pull the water pump housing to inspect the impeller or would that create a bigger issue. I do not know if it has ever been replaced. Thank you again for all of the help.

 

[dahoopd]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Well, in my case everyone- none of this matters. One of the bolts holding on the lower unit just snapped due to excessive corrosion. It was one of the ones next to the trim/tab anode- which apparently wasn't doing its job well. So I can't get the lower unit off- I can't un-stick the shift lever- and I think it is time for mercy and time to bring in a professional who can drill out the stuck bolt and finish the job. Damn. So frustrating after all the research I did and all the help you guys gave me. I gave it my best.

You should still be able to separate the lower half as the bolt has about an inch shank on it. You can than spray the hell out of the bolt and work on it to remove it. Don't give up

 

[crappie14]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Crappie, would it be beneficial to pull the water pump housing to inspect the impeller or would that create a bigger issue. I do not know if it has ever been replaced. Thank you again for all of the help.

Personally I would at least pull the cover and look at the impeller and definitely would if I was unsure as to when it was last changed. There are a lot of opinions out there as to how often to change and I have often wondered if servicemen really like the easy money from changing the impeller or if it is that critical. I tend to overdo everything, I will remove the plug and check my lower unit for signs of water several times a year if the motor is getting regular use. I won't necessary change mine every year, or for that matter every other year, depends on use, clean or dirty water use, etc. I do tend to change it on every occasion when I have the lower unit removed as the hard part at that point is already done. I do pay attention to the stream the tell tale is putting out and I have a water pressure guage attached to each motor with the "new" pressure settings recorded. Personally I have had good luck with the impellers and never had one to fail.

As far as to broken bolt, as indicated by other response, don't loose faith yet. PB blaster has been know to work miracles. I have also welded a nut to the top of the bolt (assuming any stud available) and the heat from the weld along with PB blaster has got a many out. Again, caution is used as you are in aluminum, a little heat goes a long way.

 

[Eterzian]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Well, in my case everyone- none of this matters. One of the bolts holding on the lower unit just snapped due to excessive corrosion. It was one of the ones next to the trim/tab anode- which apparently wasn't doing its job well. So I can't get the lower unit off- I can't un-stick the shift lever- and I think it is time for mercy and time to bring in a professional who can drill out the stuck bolt and finish the job. Damn. So frustrating after all the research I did and all the help you guys gave me. I gave it my best.

I may be back in the game! The guy I went to today was great and he's just going to fix the snapped bolt and then give me the option of doing the rest. After all this I feel lilke I'd like to do it and save the $$$ anyway...

 

[dahoopd]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Personally I would at least pull the cover and look at the impeller and definitely would if I was unsure as to when it was last changed. There are a lot of opinions out there as to how often to change and I have often wondered if servicemen really like the easy money from changing the impeller or if it is that critical. I tend to overdo everything, I will remove the plug and check my lower unit for signs of water several times a year if the motor is getting regular use. I won't necessary change mine every year, or for that matter every other year, depends on use, clean or dirty water use, etc. I do tend to change it on every occasion when I have the lower unit removed as the hard part at that point is already done. I do pay attention to the stream the tell tale is putting out and I have a water pressure guage attached to each motor with the "new" pressure settings recorded. Personally I have had good luck with the impellers and never had one to fail.

As far as to broken bolt, as indicated by other response, don't loose faith yet. PB blaster has been know to work miracles. I have also welded a nut to the top of the bolt (assuming any stud available) and the heat from the weld along with PB blaster has got a many out. Again, caution is used as you are in aluminum, a little heat goes a long way.

Now that we both are on our way to having our issues fixed. is there something that need to be addressed for keeping the linkage from binding up like spraying something specific? When I dropped the lower end, the linkage freed itself up but I wasn't able to figure out what was the cause from the start. I did however order a new water pump kit, impeller and seal kit. The originals are 21 years old so its about time they get replaced. Thanks again for all of the help. You and the site have been a great help and I am truly thankful.

 

[DargelJohn]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Now that we both are on our way to having our issues fixed. is there something that need to be addressed for keeping the linkage from binding up like spraying something specific? When I dropped the lower end, the linkage freed itself up but I wasn't able to figure out what was the cause from the start. I did however order a new water pump kit, impeller and seal kit. The originals are 21 years old so its about time they get replaced. Thanks again for all of the help. You and the site have been a great help and I am truly thankful.

Inspect the shift rod where it goes into the top of the gearcase for corrosion.

The gearcase end of the shift rod is threaded. If you plan to replace the gasket and o-rings on the shift rod cover, be sure to count the number of turns it takes to get the shift rod out. Unscrew the shift rod, with upward pressure on the rod. You will feel it when the rod is free.

Remove the anodes and clean them as earlier described. Replace the anodes if they are severely eroded. Good Luck

 

[DargelJohn]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

I may be back in the game! The guy I went to today was great and he's just going to fix the snapped bolt and then give me the option of doing the rest. After all this I feel lilke I'd like to do it and save the $$$ anyway...

Good to here. If you have some neck left on that snapped bolt, you may be able to grab it with a pair of vise grips. A little heat from a propane torch and start wiggling it back and forth til it moves. Good Luck

 

[dahoopd]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Remove the anodes and clean them as earlier described. Replace the anodes if they are severely eroded. Good Luck

My anode is plastic there wasnt much to clean. I did clean the bolt up prior to reinstalling the anode.

 

[DargelJohn]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

My anode is plastic there wasnt much to clean. I did clean the bolt up prior to reinstalling the anode.

Anodes are unpainted metal, not plastic...Send us a pic of what you think is an anode.

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Sounds like the Trim Tab

 

[dahoopd]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Anodes are unpainted metal, not plastic...Send us a pic of what you think is an anode.

Its #74 in the parts link you have in post #17. Its plastic, maybe it was replaced at some point.

 

[DargelJohn]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Its #74 in the parts link you have in post #17. Its plastic, maybe it was replaced at some point.View attachment 104220View attachment 104221

dahoopd, Right area, but that is the strangest looking anode I've ever seen. First, It should never be painted or have any kind of coating over the metal. The purpose of an anode is to protect the outboard metals through erosion or sacrifice. This cannot happen unless you have a good metal to metal contact between the anode and outboard, and the anode surface (bare metal) needs to interact with the water.

I would replace part #74. You should also have an anode on the bottom of the swivel bracket (part that bolts to the boat transom).

 

[Eterzian]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Strangely enough- my "anode" in that position appears to be plastic as well... Makes no sense! If I have to order parts to replace a corroded shift arm bushing I will try to replace the plastic "anode" as well with a real one. I also just talked to the mechanic working on my boat and he said my bolt that snapped was due to the fact that that anode there was not doing it's job. He said that if it was plastic that sometimes those engines were designed for fresh water and not salt water. That would explain a lot.

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Here's a couple of photos of the anodes on my '95 88spl. The motor is on a bass boat bought for fresh water. I believe with this model I had the choice to have them added or not. Can't hurt to have'em.

 

[DargelJohn]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Strangely enough- my "anode" in that position appears to be plastic as well... Makes no sense! If I have to order parts to replace a corroded shift arm bushing I will try to replace the plastic "anode" as well with a real one. I also just talked to the mechanic working on my boat and he said my bolt that snapped was due to the fact that that anode there was not doing it's job. He said that if it was plastic that sometimes those engines were designed for fresh water and not salt water. That would explain a lot.

It's hard to fathom why OMC would put plastic "dummy" anodes in place of the real thing. Who knows where these engines will be used, fresh, salt??

Eterzian and dahoopd, Take a close look at the pics that Gun Dog posted, these are what anodes should look like. Good Luck Guys, I think you are both on the road to correcting your problems.

 

[DargelJohn]

Re: 1989 Johnson 88 SPL won't go into gear

Here's a couple of photos of the anodes on my '95 88spl. The motor is on a bass boat bought for fresh water. I believe with this model I had the choice to have them added or not. Can't hurt to have'em.

Thanks Gun Dog, Looks just like the anodes on my 88SPL.