A little background... I am very sound mechanically and electrically, but have very limited knowledge/experience with boats and hydraulics...
Ths boat isn't mine, but it is a Mercruiser 165, I believe a 1981.
Earlier this summer the return line was burst just before it goes into the bottom of the pump tank. The trim indicator quit working during the same time period.
The trim quit working and I was able to determine it was low fluid. I filled the tank to the bottom of the threads as instructed. The pump then would work to move the motor up, but not down. I cleaned the switch and verified operation as well as the trim switch (later learning that down and trailor switch operation bypasses it, however now you and I know they are working as designed). It is the two solenoid version and I was able to get the down to work by bypassing (shorting across the large terminals) the relay. I replaced the solenoid and found the burst return line I mentioned earlier. After removing the burst section and replacing the solenoid the trim worked as designed, for about 20 seconds. Then in the down direction it sounded very similar to how it sounds as it reaches the end of its travel... pump slowing down then stopping, only the drive wasnt down all the way. I then wondered if there might be a blockage in the return line so removed it and put the end into a cup to catch the oil. The pump would work now, but not nearly as strong as it should. sounding more like it was running from a really low battery.
The oil is clear and clean. The trim indicator now shows it being up, even though it is probably 90% of the way down.
My next inclination is to try purging the pump, maybe it is full of air pockets from running low? However this is also my fathers boat and I am trying to help him. I am getting to the point of worrying I could do more harm then good if I don't get a little advice... soo, any and all input would be helpful. Thank you in advance.
Ths boat isn't mine, but it is a Mercruiser 165, I believe a 1981.
Earlier this summer the return line was burst just before it goes into the bottom of the pump tank. The trim indicator quit working during the same time period.
The trim quit working and I was able to determine it was low fluid. I filled the tank to the bottom of the threads as instructed. The pump then would work to move the motor up, but not down. I cleaned the switch and verified operation as well as the trim switch (later learning that down and trailor switch operation bypasses it, however now you and I know they are working as designed). It is the two solenoid version and I was able to get the down to work by bypassing (shorting across the large terminals) the relay. I replaced the solenoid and found the burst return line I mentioned earlier. After removing the burst section and replacing the solenoid the trim worked as designed, for about 20 seconds. Then in the down direction it sounded very similar to how it sounds as it reaches the end of its travel... pump slowing down then stopping, only the drive wasnt down all the way. I then wondered if there might be a blockage in the return line so removed it and put the end into a cup to catch the oil. The pump would work now, but not nearly as strong as it should. sounding more like it was running from a really low battery.
The oil is clear and clean. The trim indicator now shows it being up, even though it is probably 90% of the way down.
My next inclination is to try purging the pump, maybe it is full of air pockets from running low? However this is also my fathers boat and I am trying to help him. I am getting to the point of worrying I could do more harm then good if I don't get a little advice... soo, any and all input would be helpful. Thank you in advance.