tilt fluid

[airwarrior]

Where do I fill my tilt fluid and how do I bleed the system (if needed) on my 73 Johnson 85 hp? My Johnson manual covers the engine pretty thoroughly but doesn't say anything about the tilt system.<br /><br /><br />Thanks!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: tilt fluid

There is a screw at the top of the oil resivoir. Run the engine all the way up, remove the screw, and top off with oil. To bleed the system, run the engine down, open the pressure relief valve, run the tilt motor a few moments. Close the relief valve, cycle the engine up, and down. Run it all the way up, and top off oil again.

 

[airwarrior]

Re: tilt fluid

Originally posted by R.Johnson:<br /> There is a screw at the top of the oil resivoir.

Is this the part of the pump, maybe the lower half? It looks like the upper portion is an electric motor.<br /><br />

To bleed the system, run the engine down, open the pressure relief valve

Where is this valve "typically" located, and does it have a bleeder screw or something?<br /><br />As you have guessed, I haven't had too much experience working on boat motors, but always willing to learn something new!<br /><br />Thanks for your help!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: tilt fluid

You will neede a manual to work on this system properly. It will show the part's in grapic detail

 

[airwarrior]

Re: tilt fluid

Well, I have a very good one for the engine, but it doesn't show a tilt unit. Is there a manual just for the tilt itself? I think it says Prestolite on it. Should I try contacting them or can I order somewhere? I found my engine manual on eBay.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[Mod3]

Re: tilt fluid

airwarrior,<br /><br />I have combined your two topics since they ask basically the same questions.<br /><br /><br />I have a 73 Boston Whaler, with the origional 73 Johnson 85 hp engine. It has a tilt unit on it, and it seems to lose pressure. You can tilt the motor up, and in a couple of minutes it has bled down/lowered itself. As you can imagine this isn't good. I looked for leaking fluid, and don't see any, the ram (guess that is what it is called) looks a little moist, so maybe that seal has leak enough over the years that I need to refil the resivour, but I can figure out where or how to fill that, and what type of fluid do I use?<br /><br />Thanks for the help! <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 5 | From: Houston | Registered: Nov 2005 | IP: Logged | <br /> <br />DJ <br />Supreme Mariner <br />Member # 5471 <br /><br /> posted December 02, 2005 04:06 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The OMC titl/trim unit for that year was a one year only item, as I recall. It worked OK, but was rare.<br /><br />OMC makes a tilt/trim fluid. Check with your John/Rude dealer.<br /><br />Be aware that there is a manual bleed down screw on the side of the unit. It is recessed and hard to see. Make sure it is snug, DO NOT overtighten.<br /><br />As I recall, there is a fill/check hole on the side of the motor.<br /><br />--------------------<br />If you keep doing what you've been doing-you're going to keep getting what you've got.<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 11986 | Registered: Dec 2001 | IP: Logged | <br /> <br />airwarrior <br />Cadet <br />Member # 68403 <br /><br /> posted December 02, 2005 04:19 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Thanks Dj! I'll give it a look. It is tilt only, not trim (rather odd?).<br /><br />What does the manual bleed down screw do exactly? Is that incase your motor gets stuck in the up postition, you can relieve the pressure or something to let it down??<br /><br />I saw the word Prestolite on it, could it be some aftermarket unti that was added?

 

[DJ]

Re: tilt fluid

That is precisely what the manual bleed down is for since the motor both powers up and down.<br /><br />The manual screw is typically located, on the side of the bracket and is reached via a hole in the bracket.<br /><br />Prestolite made the tilt motors for OMC, at that time.

 

[airwarrior]

Re: tilt fluid

Ok, I found the knurled screw for putting in the fluid. I havent found the bleed down screw yet, but have been having trouble finding the correct fluid to use.<br /><br />I removed the knurled screw, and could see the fluid level looked low, it was below the screw hole, and seemed dark in color.<br /><br />Now, since I dont have any fluid, I dont know what color it should be, or what exactly in in it.<br /><br />I guess once I find the fluid, it would not be a bad idea to drain the system and fill it with fresh fluid, follwing the steps above. <br /><br />Do I have to use Johnson fluid or would an aftermarket fluid do just as well?

 

[DJ]

Re: tilt fluid

airwarrior,<br /><br />Don't try to refll and bleed, it's complicated. Just add.<br /><br />The best stuff, of course, is the original type. However, most boat dealers carry a generic.