Mercruiser 888 Tilt / Trim Issues

Surfdancer

Seaman
Joined
Feb 19, 2008
Messages
61
Symptoms: In neutral, forward or reverse (engine off, on trailer, etc) I can grab the skeg and lift the outdrive up by hand with very little hydraulic resistance. I can then lower it back to the original position by letting it down (again, by hand).

On the water, I can put it in reverse and it creeps up - it doesn't pop up. Of course, I didn't rev it up to see if it would pop up.

In forward, it creeps towards full trimmed down position (slowly). I have to tap the trim up switch from time to time to keep the bow from digging in as I cruise.

History: Previous owner had replaced all exterior trim hoses. I have not checked for water in tilt / trim fluid. I don't have gauges set up to perform tests of the hydraulics as denoted in the Mercruiser manual.

My question to those experienced is this: Should I start by tearing down the cylinders? I suspect bad or rust covered check balls and springs in the cylinder piston assy. The cylinder ends have marks suggesting that they have been disassembled before.

I'm okay with working on hydraulic systems, but I'm not familiar with the construction of tilt / trim cylinders.

Guidance and help is appreciated.
 

ken_23434

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 28, 2008
Messages
313
Re: Mercruiser 888 Tilt / Trim Issues

Do you have the service manual for the drive? It's available in the Adults only Sticky.

I haven't done it, but I would bet the procedure is in the service manual.
 

"G"

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 2, 2009
Messages
150
Re: Mercruiser 888 Tilt / Trim Issues

Surfdancer, It sounds like who ever changed out the hoses didn't refill or bleed the system correctly. Refill the tank (unit down) with ATF and operate your trim several times to remove air. Look for ATF leaks while you operate them. Unless you struck something it's not likely you need to rebuild rams. The rams/cylinders are simple to rebuild once you get them apart. THAT'S the hard part. Don't put your rams into a vise... smashing the tubes will ruin them.
 

Surfdancer

Seaman
Joined
Feb 19, 2008
Messages
61
Re: Mercruiser 888 Tilt / Trim Issues

Surfdancer, It sounds like who ever changed out the hoses didn't refill or bleed the system correctly. Refill the tank (unit down) with ATF and operate your trim several times to remove air. Look for ATF leaks while you operate them. Unless you struck something it's not likely you need to rebuild rams. The rams/cylinders are simple to rebuild once you get them apart. THAT'S the hard part. Don't put your rams into a vise... smashing the tubes will ruin them.

I'll give that a try...

Thanks!
 

lurch67

Cadet
Joined
Jul 5, 2011
Messages
11
Re: Mercruiser 888 Tilt / Trim Issues

I'll give that a try...

Thanks!

I have a 75 888 drive, I just replace the High pressure line from the pump to the diaphraghm and I can get it to trim all the way up but only down half way. I have filled it and checked it every time it was all the way up. Does the bleed process take a long time? Or do I have another issue?
 

lurch67

Cadet
Joined
Jul 5, 2011
Messages
11
Re: Mercruiser 888 Tilt / Trim Issues

I have a 75 888 drive, I just replace the High pressure line from the pump to the diaphraghm and I can get it to trim all the way up but only down half way. I have filled it and checked it every time it was all the way up. Does the bleed process take a long time? Or do I have another issue?

I saw there is a Service manual out there can someone please repost that link??!!
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Mercruiser 888 Tilt / Trim Issues

Welcome to iboats lurch, you need to start a new thread of your own with your questions and not dig up 4 year old threads out of the archives.
 
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