1996 15 hp. johnson odd ball problem

[rip rock]

When it rains it pours. I have a 1996 15 johnson and the cowl release pull thing in rear of the cowl is gone. I can only peek at the front of the motor by pushing the cowl off the lip at front of motor. I cant see how to get the cotton pickin cowl off to save my life cept get out the cutters and I dont want to do that. I have tried to pull it really hard to the point of ripping something. No use the cowl feels like tupperware and it streches but is locked solid in the rear. Will I have to cut it off or is there another way. I am stumped?!! Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1996 15 hp. johnson odd ball problem

Welcome to iboats rock.<br /><br />If you can get hold of the stump left by the handle, rotate it counterclock wise. This will rotate the hook off the latch.

 

[rip rock]

Re: 1996 15 hp. johnson odd ball problem

Do you mean at the rear of cowl?? Or in front of cowl. Where the release was there is nothing to get ahold on. Thanks for your response! I am really perplexed. I got a feeling I am gonna be lookin for a new cowl when this is over. As in chop chop cut cut.

 

[jtexas]

Re: 1996 15 hp. johnson odd ball problem

Maybe you could jimmy it open through a small hole drilled in the cowling later filled in with epoxy or duct tape?<br /><br />Or maybe a really powerful magnet?<br /><br />Sledgehammer?<br /><br />Sorry, must of got carried away with the brainstorming.

 

[rip rock]

Re: 1996 15 hp. johnson odd ball problem

I would hate to think what a new tupperware cowl would cost at the dealer. As I get it loose from the front latch and pull upward the whole cowl flexes like a rubber something or other. What a pityfull design!! The thing runs fine but I will have to get in there sometime or other and it will likely be in the middle of nowhere Such is my luck. Consistant!!

 

[DJ]

Re: 1996 15 hp. johnson odd ball problem

Rip rock,<br /><br />That handle is on a shaft. Can you see any of the shaft?<br /><br />If not, can you insert a flat blade screwdriver where the shaft goes through the cover?<br /><br />If so, try and rotate it counterclockwise, as OBJ said.<br /><br />By the way, push down on the back of the cover while you try that. That will "unload" the latch.

 

[Bob Watson]

Re: 1996 15 hp. johnson odd ball problem

Are there any obvious bolt heads that hold the stationary side of the latch.If so ,center punch and drill them out. Bolts are cheap next to a new hood.<br /><br />Bucktail Bob

 

[rip rock]

Re: 1996 15 hp. johnson odd ball problem

Zero--- Just a piece of recessed square black plastic where the finger latch was. It had 2 pieces of very thin sheet metal pointed down but the fell out and were not much help other than cutting my fingers trying to work them. Am I the only one who ever had this problem?? This is the oval shaped cowl not the slope kind on the earlier models. Dewalt cutter is warming up in the background and I got a feeling I will regret the cutter option.

 

[Bob Watson]

Re: 1996 15 hp. johnson odd ball problem

Does it have a shaft that goes thru.Grind it flush and drill it out.BB

 

[rip rock]

Re: 1996 15 hp. johnson odd ball problem

No shaft, it had a black plastic finger lift with a arrow pointing upward to release. Cant see a work around. hopeless

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: 1996 15 hp. johnson odd ball problem

Am I mistaken? I thought that on the cowl itself there were two blind rivets just above the catch, which hold a bent metal tag inside the cowl - the tag that locks onto the swivel catch beneath.<br /><br />Guess I'm wrong or it would have been said before. If I'm right, why can't you just centre pop them and drill them off?

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1996 15 hp. johnson odd ball problem

OK....glad we are finally talking about the same cover latch..... <br /><br />Your latch used a piece of undulated (wavey) metal that would mate with a piece of wavey plastic when the cover was put on. And I don't think there is any way to get to them from the outside.<br /><br />Stillfishing is right, drill out the two rivets in the TOP cover right above the latch. The upper part of the latch will fall free allowing removal of the cover. You can get parts from any John/Rude dealership.