'94 Caravelle 4.3 Alpha - When winterizing, I noticed I could not see the level of fluid in the tilt and trim pump tank. Opened it up, and it was full, but the fluid has a definite light colored milky appearance, very similar to the lower unit gear lube when it has taken on water. Cannot find any leaks on the cylinders where it might take on water, so think it probably was left out in the rain with the drain plug in by previous owner and the water level in the bilge reached the punp tank and got in through the cap.
The service manual mentions the fluid getting contaminted and taking on a thick honey like appearance, but no mention is made of a milky appearance. I know I need to change it, but wanted confirmation before completing the work. I assume the easiest way will be to use the bleeding method noted in the manual? Disconnect the Out/Up hose leading to the trim cylinder and pumping it out, refilling the tank and doing again until I get clear fluid. Then disconnecing the In/Down hose and pumping again until clean fluid is being pumped form that hose cleaning out the bad fluid form the cylinder. Logic tells me to do both cylinders at the same time to avoid returning bad fluid to the pump from one side while doing the other.
Is my thought process correct? Overlooking anything?
Many thanks to all who respond.
Steve O!
The service manual mentions the fluid getting contaminted and taking on a thick honey like appearance, but no mention is made of a milky appearance. I know I need to change it, but wanted confirmation before completing the work. I assume the easiest way will be to use the bleeding method noted in the manual? Disconnect the Out/Up hose leading to the trim cylinder and pumping it out, refilling the tank and doing again until I get clear fluid. Then disconnecing the In/Down hose and pumping again until clean fluid is being pumped form that hose cleaning out the bad fluid form the cylinder. Logic tells me to do both cylinders at the same time to avoid returning bad fluid to the pump from one side while doing the other.
Is my thought process correct? Overlooking anything?
Many thanks to all who respond.
Steve O!