Alpha I tilt stuck in up position!

Very low hours boat - 3 years old. Bayliner 195. Tilt stuck in up position. Worked fine last week. Tilt travels only an inch downward before stopping. Tilts back upward normally. After sticking in down direction, motor continues to run, with a slightly strained sound. Boat has tilt indicator on panel. Tilt switch has two up positions, the first step stopping upward motion at safe running angle. No "trailer" switch. Oil was at low mark, but not below. Have since topped up. No visible obstructions. Boat stored on lift with very little corrosion. Cylinders are very clean.

Easy way to manually lower outdrive?? If I were stranded off shore, for instance? Failsafe??

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Re: Alpha I tilt stuck in up position!

Bring it up as far as it will go.Take a finger full of waterproof grease and wipe it on both cylinder arms as close to the cylinder housing as possible.have someone stand on the drive while attempting to lower it.This has worked for a friend of mine.Let us know.Charlie

Re: Alpha I tilt stuck in up position!

Also make sure the battery is fully charged.Charlie

Re: Alpha I tilt stuck in up position!

crazy charlie said:

Also make sure the battery is fully charged.Charlie

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I've hung on the outdrive (210 lbs), and the battery is fully charged. Still won't tilt down. Is there an "emergency" screw I could try, to release a hydraulic lock, if that's the problem? This boat was not trailered. It's just been sitting on a lift since it last operated OK. I've read about tapping the shuttle, etc. I may try that. I may also try unbolting the cylinders, to be sure the drive shaft spline isn't jammed. But I want to try simpler things first. I just don't know any simpler things. Thanks!

Re: Alpha I tilt stuck in up position!

You can support the drive and disconnect the cylinders.This will at least isolate if it is the cylinders or the bellhousing hinge.Charlie

Re: Alpha I tilt stuck in up position!

OK, more data. I have disconnected the tilt cylinders from the outdrive and have seen that the outdrive swings freely downward. So it's not the drive spline binding. The cylinders both seem frozen in the extended position. It looks like they may have been extended past their normal stopping point, because there is some black residue sticking to the extended rods near the seals. I have lubed the rods and loosened the hydraulic lines at both ends of the cylinders and tapped with a rubber mallet. They do not move. The piston rods twist pretty freely in the cylinders, but the rods do not retract, even with a rubber mallet. Any more thoughts?? Thanks!!

Also, the outdrive has been in raised position only 2 weeks or less, since it worked fine. No new corrrosion in that extended position.

Re: Alpha I tilt stuck in up position!

I have now tried moderate hits with a small sledge hammer, at the suggestion of my marine mechanic (very large craft) brother-in-law. Pistons still will not move. Today I'm considering the "nuclear option", my log splitter, in which the cylinders fit nicely. As gently as I can. But I will wait until later in the day for additional advice. Thanks!!

Re: Alpha I tilt stuck in up position!

OK, problem solved, with a little more courage on the sledge hammer, and someone holding the down switch. The drive now goes up and down smoothly. Thanks!! Still have no idea why it stuck so tightly. Will try not to bring it up too far in the future.

Re: Alpha I tilt stuck in up position!

Dellywhere said:

OK, problem solved, with a little more courage on the sledge hammer, and someone holding the down switch. The drive now goes up and down smoothly. Thanks!! Still have no idea why it stuck so tightly. Will try not to bring it up too far in the future.

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Ayuh,.... Ya know the sound change when the trim reaches it's upper limit, 'n Crowds against it's stops....
Tap the button Down, to relieve the overload condition pressures against the circuit....
That'll usually cure yer Problem...

If not,...
The endcaps may be corroding, causing a bind...

Re: Alpha I tilt stuck in up position!

If you dont grease the arms and run the drive up and down and regrease again,expect the same problem down the road a little.Charlie