48 special tilt assist won't go all the way down

[Stumpalump]

The cable broke so I let the pressure out of the set screw to get the motor down. I’m fine with leaving the cable broken but the engine does not go all the way down. Under throttle it will force it’s way down but then it bounces back up or trims up a couple of inches. Is there a proper way to disable the manual non serviceable tilt assist so that it will go up and down all the way manually?

 

[Stumpalump]

Bump

 

[Rick.]

I had a look in my manual and it doesn't say anything about bleeding fluid. In fact it goes on about the unit being unserviceable and dangers associated with attempting to work on it. Only tells a detailed discription of the cable attachment and adjustment. I have the same thing on my 95 40 hp Johnson. Everyone I've spoken to says they were a failed attempt and most do not work and are not repairable. Mine would still go up and down but had no assist what so ever. Got a good deal on a CMC tilt trim last summer and I love it. Still if in reverse the prop walks the leg out of the water if I give it too much throttle. I can live with that.

 

[boobie]

Drill some holes in it to release the pressure in it then run it that way.

 

[Stumpalump]

I figured it out. If you remove the valve body that the cable attaches to and grind down the plastic valve tip then the fluid will free flow. This allows you to lower the engine all the way down. The plastic tip is by my pinky. I had to use channel locks to get it out and is why it is chewed up. It looks like a special tool was used to install it. Once the tip is gone it screws back in and works like a regular non tilt and trim motor. I’m happy with that because parts for the tilt assist are either very expensive or not available.

 

[boobie]

Thanks for the good info on the tilt. That will be very helpful in the future.

 

[Ehukai4]

I had the same issue. I couldn't remove the already damaged valve body and mangled it trying to get it out . Tried wd40 soak, heating with a torch, vice gripped the crap out of it. My spl48 wouldn't lower or raise all the way trapping it in the middle of it's swing in the wrong position.i knew the cylinder was not serviceable and trash at this point. I went against what most people advised on the forums and it immediately solved my issue. I drilled the cylinder in these 2 spots. Immediately fluid poured out and my engine manually tilts all the way up and down with some effort.