trim/tilt

[Pablo Jurpik]

I am now trying to fix a Johnson outboard. It is 140 hp V4. I got it started at my house by cleaning out the carbs ( it was sitting for at least5 years)well I took it to a near by lake, when IU got there it would not tilt down from its traveling position. So I went home. The next day I went to it and it trimed down!Even though it now seems to work do you hane any suggestions as to what it might be? If so please respon.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: trim/tilt

Must be a late 70's or early 80's. No matter. If the pump motor was straining but working and would not move the engine down, the unit went into hydraulic lock. When the motor is in the tilt range and not supported, it's possible that traveling down the road and bouncing it caused pressure on both sides of the shuttle valve. There is a proceedure to unlock it but most times just sitting will let the perssure bleed off slowly and it will start working again.<br /><br />If the pump was not working at all, then it's a different problem.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[krosemond]

Re: trim/tilt

My 79 Johnson 150 has a little leak around the seals at the bottom of the rams that lift the engine. At the beginning of each season, it lifts up, but will not go down. There is a screw on the starboard side of the engine that can be reached through a hole in the mounting bracket. I back it out,(don't make the mistake of taking it all the way out) to relieve the pressure, push the engine down manually, then lift it up manually and support it. Add fluid, and I am good until next year.

 

[krosemond]

Re: trim/tilt

Also, do you have the little flip down supports that take the load off the trim for travelling?

 

[begideon]

Re: trim/tilt

Can you here the DC motor trying to drive the pump? If not, it sounds like the springs behind the brushes in the motor weren't making good contact with the armature. I have had the same problem before.<br /><br />Good Luck.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: trim/tilt

Been there, done that just the other day. My problem happened on the water and I ended up returning to the ramp with the motor trimmed quite high. I was only able to trim in one direction - UP. I have a Clymer manual and it give a good diagnostic proceedure for your tilt/trim. My problem was just a loose connection at my dashboard end. Your should seek a manual and get a multimeter. The tests are not hard and are explained step by step. I would bet it is an electrical problem. ALSO, just as an added note. There is a trim pressure relief screw on the "driver's" side of the motor. A turn or two with a flat-tip screwdriver will lower the motor in an emergency.

 

[wingnit]

Re: trim/tilt

"Drivers Side"???? That must be the side with the controls for the power windows and door locks.

<br /><br />------------------<br />Mark<br /><br />Thought for the day..... If everything seems to be going well, you have<br />obviously overlooked something.

 

[trophyhunter]

Re: trim/tilt

I agree with those above questioning if the electric motor is running the pump. If not a good place to start is the relays. You should fond them in a little black box on the top and rear of the block. Should be two relays there. one for up the other for down. Check for corrosion on the connectors, loose wires, etc. Here's a helpful hint: "In order to be a good electrical connection it must first be a good mechanical connection" That has saved me countless hours of head scratching

 

[clanton]

Re: trim/tilt

DHadley I worked at Shopf matine in N FT Myers 1989 should/do I know you.

 

[Dunk]

Re: trim/tilt

You would think in 6 days this guys would come back and mention if the electric motor on the trim pump was running or not??<br /><br /> Anyway if the engine has been sitting for 5 years it could be as simple as a binding problem in the tilt tube. I wonder if he tried pushing the engine down when it was stuck just to get it started moving??