1986 15 hp johnson no water from tell tale

[dan2744]

I am working on this 15 hp johnson that's the owner said is over heating, I assume it is the impeller but wanted to check the thermostat first. Where us the thermostat located?

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Looking at the diagram it states that early production is at the bottom of the cylinder facing rearward. And late production is at the top of the cylinder head also facing rearward.Go to shopevinrude.com to see this diagram.

 

[flyingscott]

I think you have the older style it should be located down by the hood latch easiest way to get it off is pull the head.

 

[dan2744]

How do I loosen the cowl, this thing is a nightmare. Why would this be built like this? I am going to stick with my Merc.

 

[dan2744]

Getting this latch on is the hardest thing I have ever done.

 

[flyingscott]

What are you trying to do

 

[oldboat1]

^^yeah, don't have to fool with the latch to get the head off. I know Leeroy's site has an instruction on changing the assembly to allow access -- and that works (tried it), but really not needed. When pulling the head, back out the lower bolts but leave them in the head, then lift out the head. Reinstall in similar fashion.

With the head off, you can remove the t.stat cover on the workbench -- much easier to reinstall that way too. I like to resurface both the t.stat cover along with the head when reassembling.

 

[dan2744]

Thanks oldboat1. Leeroys helped a lot.

 

[dan2744]

How do I disconnect the shift linkage once all the LU bokts are loose?

 

[flyingscott]

Where the lower unit splits you will see a brass coupler take one of the bolts COMPLETELY out and it should drop. What I usually do is shift the motor into reverse and while the lower unit drops slide the shifting lever into forward gives you more room to work to get the bolts out.