How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

campbmic

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May 31, 2010
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I got a Johnson 40 electromatic from a friend of mine. I'm completely new to boats and I'm trying to change the lower case oil.

I've purchased the type C lube and now the instructions say to put the lube in the lower hole while having the top vent hole unscrewed, until the lube starts to flow out of the vent hole. As soon as I squeeze it into the lower hole it just starts to run out any tips?

Also, I'm 100% new to boats and the directions say to have the engine in the upright position. I'm guessing that the engine has two positions? Upright, perpendicular to the boat and another position that will let the engine sit out of the water. Is this correct? If so I think my engine is currently sitting in the "Prop up out of the water" position. How do I put it into the "Prop sitting in the water" position?

Thanks!
 

Wishiniwuzfishin

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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

Did you drain all the oil out of the gearcase by removing both plugs(screws)first? If you did, it should take anywhere fom 16-24oz to refill. Just a guess...you can probably find the capacity by doing a search.
 

Wishiniwuzfishin

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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

As for the second question, I'm not 100% familiar with your model but all I've seen are just about the same. There should be a lever on the lower front of the motor on the transom mounting bracket that says "Tilt" or "Raise" or something similar, and "Lower". It is used to tilt the motor up and down when not running.
Make sure you are holding the motor up or have someone hold up the lower unit up while you try to move the tilt lever, just to be sure it doesn't slam down till you figure it out.
 

bktheking

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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

There is a tilt lever in the front of the motor , look for it. Once it's tilted there is a locking pin on the left hand side of the motor transom clamp looking at it from the front. Do yourself a favour and purchase a proper pump instead of a messy squeeze bottle. The pumps screw into the lower screw and have an o-ring on the fitting to prevent leaking, just got back in from filling a gearcase- didn't spill a drop. They are like 6 bucks and screw into almost all small containers like a litre bottle (I know I'm Canadian) or the gearcase lube bottle.
 

Wishiniwuzfishin

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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

There is also an adjustment for the angle of the motor in relation to the transom while running. This is used to adjust the bow angle(up or down) while running. But I think the other lever I told you about is the one you need to be concerned with right now.
 

bktheking

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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

Yup, the pin with the hole adjustment, I run mine on the second hole from the transom.
 

jgriner

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 22, 2010
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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

this make life so easy, the squeeze bottles almost imposable.
http://www.iboats.com/Fluid-Pump-Lube-Pump/dm/*******.574396333--**********.488704590--view_id.56375

with both plugs out it should drain straight out and should have to pump it 15-30 times to fill it back up.

dont know y it was running straight out when u were putting some in, maybe u hit the wrong hole

edit: unless u were pumping from top down, the pump should go in the bottom of the gear case and fill up the case letting air escape

put top screw in first, remove pump and quickly install bottom screw,

here is a video but fallow my instructions unless you have the 2 top screws.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj0la6c5FDg
 

campbmic

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May 31, 2010
Messages
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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

Thanks guys, I figured that was the lever but when I pull it forward or backwards it doesn't do anything. I do see a rod running through the joint on where I'm guessing the motor does bend at. The rod is pretty stuck in there do I need to pull this rod out or move it while I pull the lever?

Thanks
 

Wishiniwuzfishin

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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

Again I'm not positive this applies to your motor but it would be a "rare bird" if it doesn't. If it is the right lever it should be connected to a thin wire that runs down maybe 4-6 inches and hooks onto another lever. The bottom lever actually frees the motor allowing it to be raised or lowered. The motor shouldn't drop like I mentioned earlier, you probably have to use some force to lower it but I just didn't want it falling on its own. You actually should have to lift the motor a small amount to free it from the lower lever (maybe 1/2 to 1") while pulling or pushing the upper lever before it will lower.
 

Wishiniwuzfishin

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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

Would it be possible for you to post pics? I'm wondering if that rod you are talking about is for the second adjustment I was telling you about.
 

campbmic

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May 31, 2010
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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

Problem solved!

The lever was the correct lever. However, there is a locking rod ont he right side of the engine that I had to pull out in order for the engine to lower!

Wahoo, now I just need a battery and to go through the electrical and I will be ready for a test drive!

Another question though, to all of you boat owners and operators. Do you need a special license to drive a boat? Do I legally need to get insurance for my boat before I can take it on the water? Do I need to register my boat? Do I need insurance and registration for my trailer?

Thanks
 

Wishiniwuzfishin

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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

In my state there is no license needed to drive a boat. I believe there may be laws about age required to operate(14...16 maybe??). Haven't checked lately since it doesn't apply to me. I believe all states require your boat to be registered. Some may require registration for the motor also. My state doesn't have a mandatory insurance requirement for boats. I believe all states require trailer registration(plates). I don't have any separate insurance on my trailer, I believe my auto insurance covers it for liability. You need to check your specific state for answers to your questions.
 

campbmic

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May 31, 2010
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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

alright well if anyone is from Texas let me know!
 

Wishiniwuzfishin

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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

Or you could go to your states DMV/BMV and DNR websites to get answers to all your questions.:D
 

jgriner

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Jul 22, 2010
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Re: How Do You Lower Prop Into Water?

where do you live?
Well I bleive that their are some federal regulations that require any one 12 and older (up too like 16) to take a boaters safety course if they are going to drive. my high school offered it for free in my state. I also belive the boat regerstaion is a federal reg. and all must have it registerd, i think its in the county you will mostly use it.

also any one under the age of 12 must where a life jacket, when the boat in moving,

where i live in KY, you dont have to trailer plates, nor do i think you have to have insurance, or at least i dont yet have insurace

just google you state and boating laws thats what i did
 
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