trim on outboard won't fully lower

[tgrigg]

Newbie here. I have 85 HP Johnson with power trim. Old rig. 1975. Yesterday when I came in and trailered, I noticed the motor came up a lot farther than it usually does when I trim it up. Then when I tried to lower it again into the brace rod, it only lowered a couple of inches. It acts like it is hitting a 'stop' or something, but I can't find any stops or latches anywhere. Motors are running and they raise/lower it a few inches just fine. So someone please tell me what dumb thing I am missing or have done wrong. Thanks!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: trim on outboard won't fully lower

I moved your thread.

Welcome to iboats.

Have you checked the trim fluid?

In an emergency you can turn the release screw with a screwdriver and lower the motor.

 

[tgrigg]

Re: trim on outboard won't fully lower

Newbie here. I have 85 HP Johnson with power trim. Old rig. 1975. Yesterday when I came in and trailered, I noticed the motor came up a lot farther than it usually does when I trim it up. Then when I tried to lower it again into the brace rod, it only lowered a couple of inches. It acts like it is hitting a 'stop' or something, but I can't find any stops or latches anywhere. Motors are running and they raise/lower it a few inches just fine. So someone please tell me what dumb thing I am missing or have done wrong. Thanks!

Thanks for your help, Bob. It was acting like mechanical blockage much more than a fluid issue. After more study and probing around I did find a latch that had slipped into place and was preventing the motor from lowering. So I'm back in business, but still unclear why the motor suddenly started raising higher than it ever had before, which is what allowed the latch to slip into place. But I'm calling the case 'closed' for now. Thanks again.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: trim on outboard won't fully lower

It would not hurt to check that fluid level. I am old school and actually believe in changing the fluid to keep it clean. I do not like the thought of any dirt or debris inside those small valve bodies.

Glad you found the problem.