Johnson 140 4-stroke tilt lock question

[swo]

Next newbie question: I see that this motor has a tilt lock 'arm' (or finger-it's only a couple of inches long) for resting the motor on for extended periods of time while tilted. Trying it out at my slip today, it appears to me that my motor isn't tilted up enough to utilize the locking mechanism; i.e. if I swing the locking arm down, there's nothing for it to grab onto if I lower the motor. If I were able to tilt it up higher before lowering, I can see the nub that the locking arm would rest on.

I still have a few more hours of break-in before I take the boat in to the dealer; this will be one of my questions for him. In the meantime, can someone tell me if there's some sort of defect here, or is there a manual adjustment the dealer can make to allow the motor to tilt up higher? I want more tiilt anyway, as my lower unit is resting in the water at it's present full tilt setting. I'd like to get it out of the water, and I'd like to be able to use the tilt lock as it's designed.

Thanks!

[baypro21]

It should tilt enough to get out of the water. Fully tilted it should get pretty close to horizontal, more than enough to use the rest. You know, thats just for resting, not trailering, right?

[Biff123]

I have the same problem with a 2000 Suz 140 DT (basically the same motor / case). Because of the way my transom is build, I can tilt it up enough to get my lower unit just out of the water, but not far enough to use the little support arm.

Is this a problem to leave it like this? Is it any wear on the hydraulics to support the unit like this? Mind you, no trailering - just sitting in the water between uses.

[swo]

yep, I know it's not for trailering; thanks for checking!

I didn't think that the transom would be a limiting factor, but I better check. In case it's not, is there an adjustment the dealer can make to the motor to allow for increased tilt?

[lakensea]

If your engine is an '04 model, there is a trim limit adjustment at the center of the trim tube.* Simply rotate it to change the limit.* Your dealer should have adjusted it to maximum for you.* If you have hydraulic steering and a thick transom make sure the steering cylinder does not hit the transom at full tilt.

[swo]

Thanks Lakensea! I do have hydraulic steering and an enclosed transom, so that may be why it's set where it is. I'll have to check today and see if there's any more clearance.

[TONY123]

I have a 2003 Johnson 90 2 stroke that has the same tilt support arm. I have been using it for trailering since new, and it seems very solid. Is it different on my motor than the 140 4 stroke?