HELP!!! working on 1977 johnson 140 T/T now..

[HOU-CHAP]

I have been sweating over my tilt and trim unit now for a couple of hours, and can't seem to find the problem. The problem I am having with it is it will tilt up, but won't go down. It has been working flawlessly untill a last week. It is a 3 wire T/T (blue, green, red) with the up wire on the solenoid. I have gone through my manual, and although very detailed, is a little too techinical for me. I have greased and inspected the tilt tube, and don't see any problems with it. I bled the manual release valve on the side of the bracket, and blew hydraulic fluid all over the place. After releasing the fluid, I topped off the resevoir. Still functions up, but not down. The motor/pump? is coming on when I energize the down tilt. I am attempting to post some pics of my t/t unit in hopes of someone recognizing the problem and using the picture to explain to me where/what to do. I have been told to remove a check/releif valve because air might by on the backside of the pump causing it to lock up. I am not sure exactly where this valve is? The diagram in my manual is not pictures, but yet a rough diagram of the hydraulic system routing. Any help would be SOOOOO appreciated. Not sure where to look next. I don't want to get into tearing into this thing too much if I don't have to. Thanks guys!!!! <br />

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<br /><br />I know the bracket and T/T unit looks bad. I recently painted the bottom of my boat and the motor, but didn't paint the bracket and T/T unit.

 

[HOU-CHAP]

Re: HELP!!! working on 1977 johnson 140 T/T now..

Can anyone at all recommend what or where to look on a possible fix for this?? Is there a check/relief valve somewhere that I can pull to release the pressure (if there is any)which could be keeping my motor from tilting down? I don't want to have to disassemble my whole Tilt assembly if there may be some possible fix options before getting to that point.

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: HELP!!! working on 1977 johnson 140 T/T now..

Hey CHAP, to access the release valve, for reference look at the first picture. The hole on the right (on the bracket) is the access hole to the valve. It's a slotted screw, use a bigger flathead to keep from tearing up the screw head since it's soft. And have someone with you to help hold motor so it don't drop and hit you when you loosen it. Just loosen it a little and keep your face away from the area in case of splattering fluid from release of pressure. That's the best I help I can give ya...

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: HELP!!! working on 1977 johnson 140 T/T now..

In the last picture.... to the left and slightly lower of the trim rod, you'll see what appears to be a large slotted screw. This is in reality a check valve.<br /><br />In back of that check valve is a shuttle valve which, under pressure, opens that facing valve or the one directly opposite it. If that shuttle valve should become stuck or either one of those check valves stick open, that problem would be encountered.<br /><br />This may not be the problem area, but it's the place I'd start at.

 

[HOU-CHAP]

Re: HELP!!! working on 1977 johnson 140 T/T now..

Thanks a bunch guys. Mikey, I opened that manual relief valve already. Bled the pressure (and some fluid) off, tightened it back up, and filled the resivoir up. That didn't solve the problem. Joe Reeves, I looked at that slotted screw, but didn't know what it was. I will remove tomorrow morning and check it out. I will post what I find. Thanks a million.

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: HELP!!! working on 1977 johnson 140 T/T now..

Found this previous post that might be helpful.<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=28;t=034382#000001

 

[HOUSTON1]

Re: HELP!!! working on 1977 johnson 140 T/T now..

William,<br />Thanks for the link to the previous post, that's just what I was looking for. That "lock" appears to be exactly whats wrong with my T/T. Don't know why I couldn't find that post on my previous searches though?? Rookie searcher I guess.. Thanks again...<br /><br />Mr. Reeves,<br />I didn't get to spend much time on trying to remove the check valve due to rain, but did fiddle with it alittle. Maybe just optimistic, but I feel my problem is the valve(s) behind that screw after reading the above linked post, so I am anxious to get it off. I have a monster flathead screwdriver that I use to remove the slotted screw on the resevior, but it appears to be too small for the large slotted screw located under the pump. I don't want to bugger the large slotted screw up. Is there a special tool for removing this large slotted screw (something that fits across the whole slot), or do I just need to be very careful and continue to try and use my big flathead screwdriver?? I am considering grinding down one of my wood chisels to use as a wide flathead screw driver?? What is usually used to remove this screw. Very trivial question I know, but I also know if I continue to use the wrong tool, I will ruin the screw. Thanks again for your help, this forum is too cool. I only wish I had knowledge to contribute as well..

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: HELP!!! working on 1977 johnson 140 T/T now..

Acually, Houston1, the name is Jeff and your very welcome although the actual credit should go to Joe Reeves for his detailed writeup in the other post on how to solve this problem. Also, impact driver (screw driver like device you hit with a hammer) will break that screw plug loose without damaging the slot. Often I just put an adjustable wrench on the regular screwdrivers handle to get the torque I need. Some screwdrivers actually have a location for placement of a wrench.

 

[HOUSTON1]

Re: HELP!!! working on 1977 johnson 140 T/T now..

oops Sorry. Jeff, Great idea, because torque was really what I was lacking. I was using the "oily towel wrapped around a screwdriver" method. I figured if I had a wider screwdriver it would be easier, but a t-handle screwdriver could be the ticket. Just didn't want to strip that thing out. I will try this weekend when I get down to the boat. Thx.

 

[HOUSTON1]

Re: HELP!!! working on 1977 johnson 140 T/T now..

I wanted to send a special thanks out to JOE REEVES!! I followed your advise under the link that was provided by Jeff, and it worked! You really know your stuff and are an asset to this site. I would have never thought to do that on my own, and would have had to take it to a mechanic and shelled out big bucks I'm sure. The only trick is that big slotted screw has a very shallow slot which could easily be stripped out. I ended up grinding down a big flathead screwdriver I had to make the blade a little wider. The other thing is it tended to get tighter as I backed it out, which worried me until I got it all the way out. I only wish I knew what caused it. According to your explanation it can happen during trailering, but it worked fine last time out until I put it up for a couple of months for maintenance. Anyways, thank you guys a bundle for taking the time to answer my post and getting me back on the water!! If JOE REEVES recommends looking at something, do yourself a favor and follow his advise.