tilt and trim confusion

[Thumpbass]

I have a '79 100hp Johnson. I am trying to check the hydraulic fluid level. My service manual (original) says to check and fill the oil level "when the T&T cylinders are fully extended. Unit should be in vertical position". Are they saying the motor should be in the vertical position? I'm confused because if the motor was vertical, how could the cylinders/rods be "fully extended"?
In addition to that, later it says "with the motor full tilted up, the fluid level should be even with the bottom of the fill hole. See figure 9-6". Well figure 9-6 shows the T&T unit with the trim cylinders/rods recessed in all the way and the tilt cylinder/rod all the way down. Figure 9-6 is labled "Aft view". If the motor was "full tilt up" wouldn't the trim cylinders/rods and tilt cylinder/rod be sticking out all the way as opposed to all the way in?

Please tell me if I am losing my mind....or just tell a dummy how to check and fill a T&T unit one step at a time. Thanks in advance

 

[imported_lorin]

Re: tilt and trim confusion

Yes you are losing your mind but that's neither here nor there. When they say the "vertical position" I believe they mean the motor can not be laying on the ground. This is how you check the fluid: Tilt the motor all the way up with tilt and trim rods fully extended. Remove the plug from the tilt resevoir. Squirt in fluid until it starts running out of the hole. Replace the plug and tilt the motor up and down a couple of times by running the tilt motor. Repeat the whole above procedure at least once, or until you're sure the fluid is even with the bottom of the fill hole. If you're using a plastic tube of tilt fluid, poke just a small hole in the end of the tube. That way it's easier to squirt it into the resevoir hole.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: tilt and trim confusion

When they say "vertical position" they mean the pump assembly being vertical. Which means the get the boat/trailer level so that the transom is perpendicular to level. You don't want the reservior tilted one way or the other when filling. Then follow Lorin's advice to fill....cycle....fill.

Good Luck!
Dave

 

[Thumpbass]

Re: tilt and trim confusion

ahhhh makes sense, thanks! Now as far as the illustration in the manual; it lables the "figure" picture as "power T&T unit Aft" with the trim rods completely recessed and the tlt rod all the way down (not installed on the motor). Is that right? They refere to this figure as "with the motor fully tilted up"...is that a misprint?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: tilt and trim confusion

The motor fully extended(Fully tilted up) is when both trim rams are extended, as well as the tilt rod. Do as lorin said and you will be fine...

 

[Thumpbass]

Re: tilt and trim confusion

will do thanks! One more question; when I trailer my boat, I put my motor in a transom saver. After my lower unit sits snug into the transom saver, should I bring the trim rods all the way down? My manual says to run the pistons all the way in after fully tilting the motor and using the trail lock (to take the pressure off the hydraulics). Obviouslly I don't use the trail lock because I have the transom saver but I'm wondering if I still need to run the pistons all the way down for the same reason. Man things were a lot easier when I had a 14' jon boat with a 15hp Johnson....slower but easier non the less

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: tilt and trim confusion

I've heard that, but never did it. Never had a problem either....I just let it hit the saver and run it for a few seconds longer and strap her down....

 

[OBJ]

Re: tilt and trim confusion

No miss print Thumpbass. They are refering to the engine being in the fully tilted UP position.