Reply To: Mid-1970s 85 HP Johnson Remote Control Problem

[Don]

Dave

The engine pictured is definitely NOT an 1979 model.   It is a 1973 -1977  model.  Where are you seeing the model number making you feel it is a 1979 model?  Post more pictures for clarification.

This engine has the externally mounted power trim and tilt system, correct?   Two cylinders mounted externally, one on either side of the stern brackets along with the tilt motor and hydraulic pump, correct?

OK, the system is more or less self bleeding.  Therefore, you do not need to manually bleed the cylinders/pump in order to get the system to operate.  True, it will fuss for awhile while tilting until the air is bled out, but that is normal.  Simply running the unit up and down a few times bleeds the air out.

You are removing the top hydraulic hose (top of the tilt cylinder)?  If so, you won’t see any oil spraying out with the pump running in the up mode.  You should see oil spraying out when operated in the down mode though.   You would have to remove the tiny threaded oil line at the bottom of the cylinder in order to see oil spraying in the up mode.

But let’s back up a bit.   There is a “manual relief valve” at the bottom of the pump somewhere.  It is a small diameter screw with a large slot for a screw driver.  Usually these get corroded/jammed, you will be able to tell by the condition of the slotted screw slot.  If it will move, check to see that the valve is threaded in all they way, rotate the screw clockwise until is seats.  Someone may have messed with this when they were messing with the tilt motor.

There are no external leaks?  Does the pump/motor sound like it is struggling when operating?  Or, does it sound like the motor/pump is spinning “freely”?  If the pump seems to spin freely when the reservoir is full, perhaps the tilt motor was not installed correctly.  There is usually a shaft/coupling inside to connect the tilt motor/pump.  Perhaps someone left out the shaft/coupling, or perhaps they are broken.

In any event, the “blue oil” will need to be purged out of there once you get the system working.   Keep in mind that the reservoir is checked/filled when the cylinders are fully extended, in the up position.  Sure you will have to add fluid when the unit is down to get it to work, but you will have to keep “topping off” the reservoir as the cylinders extend to make sure the reservoir stays full.