Trim fluid is light milky white how do I bleed fluid?

[Robster1961]

Hello- I have a 1998 Mercruiser 5.7 EFI engine with Mercruiser trim pump. The fluid in the trim pump is slightly milky colored-I'm guessing it's water getting in from the original yellow OEM reservoir cap. I ordered a new bafled leak proof cap. All trim functions work fine. Should I bleed out the old fluid and add new fluid? if so how do I bleed the fluid out? Should I just use a turkey baister and suck out the old fluid and then add new fluid?



Many thanks,
Robert

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Trim fluid is light milky white how do I bleed fluid?

If you look, there's a plug or hose attached to the bottom of the trim pump. Undoing this plug or removing the hose will let the reservoir drain. If you do it with the drive in the up position, you'll get most of the water out.

Erik

 

[Robster1961]

Re: Trim fluid is light milky white how do I bleed fluid?

Fantastic! many many thanks!!

Cheers,
Robert

 

[Robster1961]

Still milky whitish

Still milky whitish

O.K. I unsrewed the bolt that connects the trim pump reservoir to the pump with outdrive up,emptied all fluid in reservoir,thoroughly cleaned reservoir,bolted it back on and added new fluid. Ran the drive up and down 10 times and the fluid is still milky whitish with the new fluid. Should I just keep it as is? or do the whole process over again?

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Trim fluid is light milky white how do I bleed fluid?

I would keep going......
& depending upon the condition of your trim cylinders corrosion wise, I would undo the ss hoses at the cylinders & let them come all the way down........
IE, fill from the top, drain from the ss hoses.....
Until it looks the color you want it......​

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Trim fluid is light milky white how do I bleed fluid?

Robert, It may be the seals on the cylinders are leaking. You can try 5W-30 motor oil instead of ATF. It is a bit thicer and helps eep the leaks under control.