Johnson T&T

[fishnfun]

1986 Johnson 50 HP. The engine leaks down in both the tilt and trim mode. Reservoir is full and no leaks apparent on the cylinders. I am thinking check valve problem at the pump?<br /><br />Also, when tilted all the way up, the manual "lock" will not engage. The engine just will not go quite high enough to allow it. I have looked for ways to adjust the travel. What am I missing here?

 

[jegervais]

Re: Johnson T&T

Your problem could be a check valve, or possibly a seal. The seal on the manual release valve is a very likely candidate. Remove the circle-clip from the screw before you attampt to remove the manual release valve. If its a check valve problem, you may just have a small piece of trash in one or more of them.<br /><br />-John

 

[fishnfun]

Re: Johnson T&T

Thanks for the tips, I will try to check it out this weekend. Do you know if parts are avaible or if it must be replaced as a unit, as the manual I consulted states? I'll post again when I know some more details.

 

[almost retired again]

Re: Johnson T&T

Hi fishinfun;<br />You might also check the level of the trim fluid. It should go up all the way if it goes up at all. You may not have enough trim fluid to allow this. Also make sure that the manual release valve is closed all the way.<br />hope this helps.

 

[fishnfun]

Re: Johnson T&T

I took out the manual relief screw, and there was what looked to be a very small piece of aluminum embedded in the seal surface. I removed it and it seemed to leak down slower than before. I took it out again and could see an impression from the sliver in the seal surface. So I popped the seal out and flipped it over and reinstalled (a big no-no?). It seems to perform about the same. It still leaks pretty fast in the tilt mode, but holds much better in the trim mode. Possibly the seat is scored from the sliver?<br /><br />John, I did not see a circle clip on the relief screw.<br /><br />Almost Retired Again, the fluid level is fine, it just seems as though the cylinders run out of travel before it is high enough to engage the lock.<br /><br />Thanks for the help.

 

[Franki]

Re: Johnson T&T

If worse comes to worse, you might have to pull the tilt ram out and strip it.<br /><br />I have a friend that builds and rebuilts these things, (and ones for trucks and bulldozers and mining equipment.)<br /><br />basically, he told me the older these things get, the more pitted the inside of the shaft and the piston get, and you end up with fluid getting past the piston, resulting in it not performing up to spec.. (and in bad cases, not performing much at all.)<br /><br />eliminate everything else first, like pump output pressure and stuff, and then when you run out of alternatives, look into this one.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[fishnfun]

Re: Johnson T&T

Well it looks like I didn't get lucky with a cheap & easy fix. The trim doesn't do me a whole lot of good since it is on a pontoon boat. Staying up in the tilt mode is more important to me. Anyone know which manual, Seloc etc., has a good breakdown of the system? Thanks for the help.

 

[DJ]

Re: Johnson T&T

fishnfun,<br /><br />Don't get the Clymer. They do not go into the rebuild at all. They say, take it to the dealer.<br /><br />I believe there may be several special tools involved. Hydraulics can be dangerous if pressurized!<br /><br />Try a NEW seal.