I have a 96 Johnson 150 and after my last trip I went to unhook the motor from the Jack brace after getting home and the motor was really jerky and hopped until all the way down while lowering it???

It raised up fine but every time I lower it the motor hops and jerks.

Could the fluid be low? I have never encountered this issue before. If the fluid is low can I use any transmission oil? Next, how do I fill it? There is a small plastic screw cap on the right side under the motor with what looks like a resorvoir.

Thanks for the help guys

If it's low there has to be a leak somewhere. Can you find any evidence?

No, no leak, no drips that I can find or have seen. Could the piston just need to be lubed?

have you greased the pivot pin?

No, no leak, no drips that I can find or have seen. Could the piston just need to be lubed?

When you figure it out, post the solution. I know someone with the same symptoms with the 225 version of your motor.

have you greased the pivot pin?

Gonna try that first.

The original owner, it appears, greased it with what looks like White lithium grease so I will try to lube it with the proper product as a starting point

Gonna try that first.

The original owner, it appears, greased it with what looks like White lithium grease so I will try to lube it with the proper product as a starting point

My Yammy did the same thing and that's what it was, also make sure you grease the end of the hydraulic rams that push motor up it makes a screeching sound if you don't

I had a similar problem not long ago on my Evinrude. Lubing it properly should definitely help some, it would be wise to check the fluid levels also. I also had a small leak that took me quite a while to find. After fixing that and topping the fluid back off, I was problem free. Like South FLA said, grease the tops of the rams that push on the motor. You don't need to go overboard, you want enough to coat it though. Otherwise it will make a very annoying sound.