johnson 115 1978 leaking tilt fluid

[hutche]

hi all.my 1978 115 hp tilt/trim motor is not working.it has lost alot of the fluid.i get no response when i hit the up/down switch. what do you think?serial number is 115 etl 78c 632032
just raised and lowered motor by hand and it did not slam down it slowly lowered by itself which leads me to think that it has compression and on further inspection thinking that its not hydraulic oil.which must mean its an electrical problem?any queries?

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: johnson 115 1978 leaking tilt fluid

If you can raise and lower it by hand, it is possible the manual release valve is in the "open" position. When in the closed postion (normal run position) you can't move the midsection at all by hand-only by trim motor assist. Anyway, make sure that screw is all the way in and properly seated, then try the trim button. That manual release screw is on the right side of the trim assembly as you look at it from the rear of the engine. The screw is right near the top of the manifold-sticking out to the right. FYI-That screw has a limited range of movement and is not designed to come out of the manifold unless you remove the keeper first. The screw is designed to permit the engine to be tilted if there is no battery available, or if the trim motor fails in the up/down position. That 78 model has a separate trim box mounted under the rear splashwell. Inside that box is a small 20 amp fuse dedicated to the trim motor.

 

[RRitt]

Re: johnson 115 1978 leaking tilt fluid

The best way to fix a J/E trim system depends upon which of the three variations you have. Post a picture if you can or identify whether it is Prestolite or Calco pump and whether it has rams up underneath the engine or on the sides.

1) There are check valves that prevent engine from moving up/down. If you can lift the motor by hand then the hydraulics are either broken or bypassed. The trim motor only matters when it is spinning. There is often a manual release on the bottom of the trim motor. Turn it 90 degrees and see if that makes a difference.

2) The system is sealed. If you are losing fluid then either an oil tube has a leak or your hydraulics need to be rebuilt.

 

[boobie]

Re: johnson 115 1978 leaking tilt fluid

When hit the t/t switch can you hear the tilt mtr run? Is it slow,fast or just nothing?