Tilt Problem.. FIXED ! usual does not work

[cngw]

This is a trailered, 1987 Johnson GT200 6 cyl. Last month, all ok. This week,pulled the boat out of the shed, I raised the engine fine. Went to lower it, and it will not lower unless I open the bleed screw.

The motor runs both ways, sounds like the pump is running when I hit low, but no action. When it is all the way down, the trim pistons are out, and do not go in when the engine butts against them.

Tried the following:

Checked the fluid, slightly low but not much. Filled and cycled the unit through 8 ups/downs. No good. See below this for procedure detail.
Tapped the unit in case it had a check ball that was not dropping.
Swapped the relays, even though I did not think it was that.
Battery is good. (Starts the engine fine.)

I did not have to lock the engine up when I took out the fill screw, no pressure there if that is a clue.

To fill: I raised unit. Removed fill plug and topped off. Plug back. Opened bleed screw and dropped. Repeated several times. Never had to add fluid after the small initial amount. Anything I am doing wrong for bleeding the unit? Any other suggestions?

Thank you, G

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Tilt Problem..usual does not work

Re: Tilt Problem..usual does not work

After you filled with fluid I don't think you were to open the bleed screw to drop it at least my manual doesn't say that; you probably have not actually filled the unit up yet.

 

[cngw]

Re: Tilt Problem..usual does not work

Re: Tilt Problem..usual does not work

After you filled with fluid I don't think you were to open the bleed screw to drop it at least my manual doesn't say that; you probably have not actually filled the unit up yet.

Will, I took out the fill screw on the reservoir, the "bleed screw" as I called it is probably called the manual release screw....which in my book says not to turn over a full turn to let the engine down.

After I cycle, I open the fill screw to release any air that may be there, then top it off (but in all instances, fluid has run out or been at the bottom of the hole, I never added any after the intial top-off .... which may have taken 2 to 3 ounces, not that much.

Note from orig question, "To fill: I raised unit. Removed fill plug and topped off. Plug back. Opened bleed screw and dropped. Repeated several times. Never had to add fluid after the small initial amount. Anything I am doing wrong for bleeding the unit?"

Thanks for the reply. Any other suggestions appreciated, but I fear it may be the pump. G

 

[cngw]

Re: Tilt Problem..usual does not work

Re: Tilt Problem..usual does not work

WELLL.... Each day I have walked by the trailer, I reach up and tilt the engine up a couple of inches, then rock the switch to lower the engine. Each time, it acts like when the pump/motor runs it wants to lower, but will not....like originally posted.

Today, with the engine raised nearly all the way up, I hit the up and the engine raised a bit, then the lower and the same thing....until I hit the up again, then lower again......AND, lo and behold, a small "pop" and the unit started down on its own! I took it all the way to the trim plungers and they started going in also. Raised and lowered it several times! All went well so far. Need to take the boat out next week and try it. Thanks for the responses. I hope everyone else's repairs are this easy. I feel like one lucky boy! G

 

[superharmonix]

Re: Tilt Problem..usual does not work

Re: Tilt Problem..usual does not work

cngw, did you check the fluid again after it went both up and down? Do you know how much total fluid you put in? If it's not full (or very close) you may end up with a surprise at the lake. I would double check the fluid one more time and make sure it is AT the bottom of the fill hole....

 

[cngw]

Re: Tilt Problem..usual does not work

Re: Tilt Problem..usual does not work

Thank you for the suggestion, and that is the first thing I did after I cycled it a few times. It was still topped off (to the fill hole bottom) upon checking it. G