Johnsons tilt & trim not staying up

[Fishon1]

I have a 87 50HP Johnson with tilt and trim. Just recently when I trim up or tilt the unit the motor will not stay up. It slowly starts to lower and in 15 minutes it will be all the way down from the full tilt position.<br /><br />I have to assume that there are some seals in the cylinders that have goen bad. Is this good assumption? Is this something that I reasonable person could repair if they have a factory manual?<br /><br />Any idea of the cost of the parts?<br /><br />Any idea on what it may cost if I took it to a mechanic? It may be better asked how much time would it take a pro to do it?<br /><br />Thanks and have a great weekend.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Johnsons tilt & trim not staying up

Before you take it in, check the fluid in the resevoir. Raise the lower unit all the way up and put the tilt lock on. Remove the fill plug and top it off with T & T fluid. Replace the screw finger tight. Then cycle the lower unit up and down 4 or 5 times. Raise it up again and check the fluid level. Add some more if nessesary. Run it up and down 4 or 5 more times. See how it does...

 

[Fishon1]

Re: Johnsons tilt & trim not staying up

Thanks Rick I will try that. If that is the case were did the fluid go? I do not see any signs of a leak but I also do not what color it is.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Johnsons tilt & trim not staying up

It's a fairly clear liquid that could have seeped pass seals over time. You probably would not notice it normally. It's worth a shot before shelling out the big bucks...If it seems to be getting better adding the fluid, continue to raise and lower it between fluid checks until it's good...Take the tilt lock off in between the raising and lowering, of course...

 

[nagasama]

Re: Johnsons tilt & trim not staying up

Hey man,<br />I have a 1974 135hp and rebuilt the cylinders for it.<br />Not too hard at all, the parts are not very expensive. I think the seals and wipers for mine (it has two) cost about 15 bucks.<br />If you have it done professionally, I would suggest taking it to a hydraulic shop instead of a boat shop, probably would be cheaper.<br />You probably will never find the cylinders new, and if you happen to luck out on ebay, they will cost you some dough.<br />Much easier to take the time (I did mine in about an hour) and do it yourself.<br />always helps to have a parts catalog (it will have exploded diagrams of your motor) before you start tearing your motor apart.<br />Rick is right, if you haven't checked the level of fluid, that's where to start. But with a motor this old, if the cylinders have never been replaced, you can bet the seals are wasted.

 

[DJ]

Re: Johnsons tilt & trim not staying up

Don't forget to make sure that the manual release valve is tight. You'd hate to rebuild something to only find out a screw was loose.