Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

lclarke

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May 11, 2006
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I bought a 1988 Stingray with a 130 Mercruiser that had been sitting for a couple of years. The outdrive is up, but when I hit the switch to bring it down, the pump motor runs, but nothing happens. It has plenty of oil. Any ideas?
 

tommays

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Jul 4, 2004
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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

You could start with a BIG friend leaning on the drive <br /><br />And if that does not work you can crack the lines open and see if you can blead out the air AND see if the pump is pumping :) or just makeing noise<br /><br />Then you can read up here <br /><br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6C1R3.PDF <br /><br />tommays
 

Bondo

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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

You could start with a BIG friend leaning on the drive
Ayuh,...........<br /><br />And,.... If Leaning Isn't Enough,..??....... Try Jumping..........<br /><br />Then Grease It.......... ;)
 

lclarke

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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

Thanks. That gives me a couple of things to try. The reference manual had some good ideas.
 

I/O WALDO

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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

If it has good hydraulic pressure it is rebuild the sticky trim cylinder tyme!
 

Alumarine

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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

When you crack the lines open the drive should come down on it's own.
 

I/O WALDO

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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

Unless the cylinder end cap is sticky.
 

Fishermark

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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

When I bought my boat (with an alpha 1) the outdrive was up and had been for quite awhile. Same symptom - pump ran, drive wouldn't come down. Ended up needing my large friend to jump up and down on the drive while using the down button. It worked! :D
 

rodbolt

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Sep 1, 2003
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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

like waldo said, odds are the rams are stuck in the caps. there is not much hydraulic pressure in the down cycle. its not supposed to be needed.
 

lclarke

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May 11, 2006
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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

Well, I disconnected the lines, and the pump is pumping good to the cylinders. I jumped up and down on the outdrive while running the pump in the down setting, but still nothing happened. I used a block of wood and hammer against the end of the cylinders to break anything loose, and still nothing. Any suggestions? Is there anyway to manually lower the outdrive? Thanks.
 

skicat

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Oct 2, 2003
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135
Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

Did you remove the trailering clips?
 

lclarke

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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

Where are the trailering clips? I looked for anything that might have been proping it up, but didn't see anything.
 

lclarke

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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

I just double-checked. No clips.
 

Fishermark

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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

Try removing the rams from the outdrive and see if it is frozen "up." It should obviously drop down when the rams are removed.
 

lclarke

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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

Update: I removed both rams, and neither will move at all, even if I put clamps on them and tighten the clams. I talked to a hydraulic specialist (not a boat guy), and he said they're not supposed to be able to move without the pump. He said to check the pressure on the pump, but I understand the pump is supposed to be a 'low pressure' pump. Anyone know how to check out the pump? Thanks.
 

Alumarine

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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

Did you disconnect the lines from the rams and then try to push them in and out?<br /><br />Did the drive drop down when you disconnected the rams?
 

Fishermark

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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

When I suggested removing the rams to see if it was frozen "up" - I meant the outdrive frozen in the up position - not the rams. You will not be able to simply push the rams down - that's what holds the outdrive up. After removing the rams did the outdrive drop down? Or did it stay up?
 

8x56mn

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Feb 7, 2006
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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

Well I have a Sting Ray 140, same boat. I have to ask, your hitting the down button and not the up right? You have one square button for trailering and a seperate one for up and down right? Your not pushing them both at once are you by any chance?
 

lclarke

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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

I took the rams off, and the drive came down OK. I pressed the down button and heard the pump run, but nothing happened. Pressing it up doesn't do anything or cause the pump to run. The square trailering button doesn't do anything either. One time I took the line off at the pump and pressed the down button, and oil shot out.
 

whywhyzed

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Feb 1, 2005
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Re: Mercruiser outdrive: pump runs but won't lower

Every mercruiser i ever owned would stick "up" every so often... I'd just run it up more in trailer for a second or two, then quickly hit the down button and down she'd come.
 
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