Power tilt and trim leaking. Johnson 1980 85hp V4

[austin7777]

Gday,
I have a 1980 Johnson 85HP V4 outboard (J85TLCSA) and have been having problems with my power tilt and trim. I seem to be losing a lot of oil out of the system (think it may be from the trim cylinder near the end caps), my question is, is it easy to service these cylinders (ie replace seals etc), or is it a complicated job ?. It only leaks when the engine is tilted, when I have it trimmed all the way down there is no leaking.
I have also had troubles with a grinding noise coming from the cylinders but I believe that was due to air in the system, I have since rectified that by opening up the filler hole, leaving it for 30 minutes, then filling up the tilt/trim oil and cycling the engine up and down 4-5 times then re-checking oil levels.

Thanks in advance

PS love this forum, I have gone from paying to have my outboard serviced by a mechanic (costly !!), to replacing starter motor/brushes, solenoid, impeller, rectifier, fuel solenoid, fuel lines and most wiring just by reading all the helpful info on this site.
Next job is carby kit, this youtube link makes it look easy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5cxBMDezuU


cheers

 

[jonesg]

Re: Power tilt and trim leaking. Johnson 1980 85hp V4

Carb work is simple, get the factory manual if you don't have it.
www.outboardbooks.com

Tilt/trim , you might have to pull the engiine off the transom to redo the seals, they sell a seal kit for rebuilding. Its all in the manual,
you can make a simple spanner wrench for removing the end caps.

 

[austin7777]

Re: Power tilt and trim leaking. Johnson 1980 85hp V4

Thanks for that, will investigate further.

Regarding the Carbs, I started it today but am having problems getting the second carb off the block, any suggestion on how to get this last nut/bolt off, it is stuck tight. I have soaked it in wd-40 overnight to see if that makes a difference but I dont think it will, the nut has rounded a bit as you can see(picture attatched)

 

[jonesg]

Re: Power tilt and trim leaking. Johnson 1980 85hp V4

The best way to get a nut is with a closed end box wrench or 6 sided socket, the open wrench will slip but it looks like access is very limited.
You can't resort to the 'blue wrench' because of the gas fire danger.
And its kind of knackered at this point in time...so...

So I would consider using a dremel with a carbide cutoff disk to slice the nut on one side ( along the top looks easiest), pry the nut open with a flat blade.
It will probably cut the bolt too so take a trip to the hardware store, replace both with stainless.

Google homemade spanner wrench, its simple to make.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Power tilt and trim leaking. Johnson 1980 85hp V4

I'm told the leaking seals on the PTT are not worth fixing; replace the unit. When they are old and salty, and you open them up, you can't really get them back together again. And you may have to pull the engine off to do it. Then your 30 year old pump motor will fail. It's one of those "crossroads" things.

Off topic where in Oz are you? I have travelled there and have family there, too. Great spot; great people.

 

[austin7777]

Re: Power tilt and trim leaking. Johnson 1980 85hp V4

Jonesg,
Followed your advice regarding getting the last nut holding the carb to the block, worked a treat !, althought I only sliced a small slit in the nut with the dremel, then put the blade of a flat bladed screwdriver in the slit and hit it with a hammer, after a few hits the nut turned. Off to have a Captain Morgans Rum to celebrate.

Home Cookin,
yeah dont know if trying to fix up the tilt trim is worth it, doesnt look like it has been serviced in the last 30 years, it works fine just leaks a bit of oil.
I am currently living in Canberra (land locked city), but do a bit of boating on our local river and in Batemans Bay. Australia is an awesome country, well worth the long trip.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Power tilt and trim leaking. Johnson 1980 85hp V4

Try tightening the tilt cylinder end cap with a small flat punch and a few taps of a hammer, it might seal it up. Try to knock it around 1/4 turn...
ya never know.