1999 Ocean Pro Lifts in Reverse

[sprockets]

New member here who just purchased a 1999 Grady 180 with a 1999 Johnson Ocean Pro. The engine has been well maintained and only has 345 hours.

When I went to back it off the trailer, I noticed the engine lifted quite a bit. Based on my research here and other forums, the issue is in the trim & tilt. I've read about check valves being a possible cause. The engine raises and lowers fine. The only problem is when I give it some throttle in reverse the engine kicks up.

Unless this is an easy repair or diagnostic I will probably leave it to my mechanic who I've known for years. Is this something I can diagnose?

 

[OutOfControl]

Re: 1999 Ocean Pro Lifts in Reverse

sprockets,
Check the manual release valve screw(could be loose) located on the port side of the motor turn clockwise and torque to 45-55 in. lbs. Access is through a hole in the stern mounting bracket, be careful engine may drop if the valve is released. Other than that you could bleed the system and check your fluid level.

 

[sprockets]

Re: 1999 Ocean Pro Lifts in Reverse

sprockets,
Check the manual release valve screw(could be loose) located on the port side of the motor turn clockwise and torque to 45-55 in. lbs. Access is through a hole in the stern mounting bracket, be careful engine may drop if the valve is released. Other than that you could bleed the system and check your fluid level.

Does it matter what position the engine is in when doing this? Since I don't have a way to accurately measure torque, should I even mess with it?

 

[sprockets]

Re: 1999 Ocean Pro Lifts in Reverse

Went out to check it this morning and the manual release screw is really tight. With a normal screwdriver I couldn't even budge it.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1999 Ocean Pro Lifts in Reverse

Bleed that baby...Pump it all the way up and lock it with the manual tilt lock. Wait 5 min and refill trim resevoir with ATF. Run it down and back up and lock it. repeat procedure.

 

[sprockets]

Re: 1999 Ocean Pro Lifts in Reverse

Bleed that baby...Pump it all the way up and lock it with the manual tilt lock. Wait 5 min and refill trim resevoir with ATF. Run it down and back up and lock it. repeat procedure.

I emailed my mechanic and this is exactly what he suggested as the first step. My plan is to bring it by his shop early next week. He says he has seen many OMC's withe the same issue. Wish I had caught it during sea trial.

I went through the prior owner's maintenance records and saw where a leak was found back in March of 2011. The boat was barely used since then, and the service in March of 2012 did not mention anything related to the trim/tilt. My guess is that there is a leaky seal or valve somewhere in the system.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1999 Ocean Pro Lifts in Reverse

Joe Reeves used to post a procedure where air is used to pressurize a PTT unit to drive out some latent air. You could PM and see if it applies to your PTT unit.