Problem with Johnson -71 50hp hydro electric shifter

dali

Recruit
Joined
Aug 8, 2006
Messages
4
Hi all,

I've recently bough a Johnson 71 50hp (50ESL71S).
I got it cheap, 'cause the gears are stuck in forward drive.
I've checked the power to the solenoids. 0V on both with shifter in forward, 12V on one in neutral, 12V on both in reverse.
I have no idea what kind of oil there is in the LU at the moment.
Should I drain the LU and fill it up with some kind of thin liquid to get rid of old lube and grease? What kind of oil should I use in the LU in the future?
Can you please give me an advice on how to fix this?

Please excuse my english, I'm a Swede.
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: Problem with Johnson -71 50hp hydro electric shifter

Are you sure it's "stuck in forward"? The motor has to be running in order to build up hydraulic pressure to make it shift. It will always be in forward gear when not running. Cranking with the starter is enough rpm to make it shift to neutral.

The oil in the gearcase is the same oil used for the hydraulic shifting. It is a special oil called "type C", or as it is now called "Premium Blend" by Bombardier. It is Bombardier part number 775607 for a 10oz tube, 775608 for 16oz bottle, 775609 for 32oz, 172819 for a US gallon. You need some kind of a pump to install anything other than the 10oz tubes.

Your English is just fine. Much better than my Sweedish (or whatever you speak).
 

dali

Recruit
Joined
Aug 8, 2006
Messages
4
Re: Problem with Johnson -71 50hp hydro electric shifter

Thank you for the quick answer F_R.
I haven't tested the motor myself yet, I'm only describeing the problem as it was described by the previous owner.
I'll fill it up with theoil you recomended and then test the motor myself.
BTW, how much oil do I need, and what is the correct way to change the oil?
 

Barnacle_Bill

Admiral
Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
6,469
Re: Problem with Johnson -71 50hp hydro electric shifter

My manual doesn't give the capacity for your motor. Probably around 25oz. There are 2 straight slotted screws that must be removed. The lower one to drain and one up higher (the vent). BE CAREFUL!! on some models there is a phillips screw close to the vent screw.
DO NOT REMOVE!!! This secures the fork shift in place and you will most likely have to disassemble the lower unit to get it back into place.
Remove the vent and drain screws and let it drain. If the oil is milky colored you have a seal problem (water in the oil). Refill from the bottom up. When oil starts coming out the vent hole, put the vent screw in and then the drain screw. You should use new gaskets on the screws. I highly recommend you get a manual for the motor. It wil pay for itself if you do your own work.
 

papasage

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 12, 2003
Messages
785
Re: Problem with Johnson -71 50hp hydro electric shifter

that foot defaults to foward when not running when cranking and running it will activate nutral cylinoid reverse will activate while running and the button pushed .
25.4 oz to fill the foot and recheck first 10 hrs. and every 50 hours there after . add if needed
 

dali

Recruit
Joined
Aug 8, 2006
Messages
4
Re: Problem with Johnson -71 50hp hydro electric shifter

Can I use any other oil? The "Premium Blend" seems impossible to get hold of where I live.
What type of oil is this? Some kind of ATF oil?
 

dali

Recruit
Joined
Aug 8, 2006
Messages
4
Re: Problem with Johnson -71 50hp hydro electric shifter

Also, which manual do you recomend me to buy?
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: Problem with Johnson -71 50hp hydro electric shifter

If there is no other choice, I would use Dexron ATF. As I remember, that was the factory reccomendatation, although I can't find it in print anywhere. Fortunatly, your Hydro-Electric system isn't as critical as the earlier spring clutch electric shifts. They don't disclose what's in the "Premium Blend".
 

papasage

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 12, 2003
Messages
785
Re: Problem with Johnson -71 50hp hydro electric shifter

drxtron ATF will work . most 10 wate oil would probabley work . the ATF Doesent foam like some trannie fluid
 
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