What is that reservior--power trim fluid??

[bigmacfan]

While boating last weekend, I noticed a reservior on my 3.0L Mercruiser that is to the back and left when looking at the engine that has a yellow cap. It is only half full, so I need to figure out what to add I know it isn't the engine oil or the lower unit/gear oil, so is it the power trim fluid?

Thanks so much!

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: What is that reservior--power trim fluid??

Just a thought........
Have you tried following the hose that is attached to that reservoir to see where it goes?
I know on my trim/tilt pump, the reservoir is part of the unit and is mounted on the floor away from the engine, in my case. And it does have a yellow cap.
Try following the hose to see if it goes down to a pump with hydraulic lines coming out of it.

 

[wvit1001]

Re: What is that reservior--power trim fluid??

Reading an owner's manual would probably be a good place to start.

 

[bigmacfan]

Re: What is that reservior--power trim fluid??

Good point about the owners manual. I will tonight. I am at work and was just thinking about it so posted a quick question here. Thanks!

 

[bigmacfan]

Re: What is that reservior--power trim fluid??

And now that you mention it...it really isn't on the side of the engine, but away from it a bit......near the floor. Sorry to be misleading!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: What is that reservior--power trim fluid??

It's gonna be the power trim fluid reservoir. Confirm that in your Mercruiser manual, though.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: What is that reservior--power trim fluid??

And now that you mention it...it really isn't on the side of the engine, but away from it a bit......near the floor. Sorry to be misleading!

Does it look like this?

 

[Don S]

Re: What is that reservior--power trim fluid??

Having the year or SN of your engine would help, some years don't have pumps like that. A picture would really help (unless Pierutrus is correct)

 

[jr1017]

Re: What is that reservior--power trim fluid??

That looks just like the pump on mine for the trim/tilt. Someone told me to just use 5/30 or 10/30 oil. Don't know if thats true, but that's what was told to me, you also said it is only half full...You need to make sure you know where your drive is at the time of checking it. When checking the level, you should have your drive down as low as you can get it, if not all the way down, that's when the resevoir tank will be the fullest, the drive half up will probably give you a half full reading and the drive all the way up like for trailering will look like the tank is almost empty.

 

[bigmacfan]

Re: What is that reservior--power trim fluid??

That is awesome information about the level varying with position of the outdrive. I don't recall, quite honestly, where the outdrive was when I checked it. I had the hatch open to check the gas level (I have NEVER had a boat that the gas gauge worked!) and just happened to notice this reservior.

It does look exactly like the picture posted, so thanks for that as well.

I have a bottle of some stuff at home that is Mercruiser and is "power trim and steering fluid"...is this what I should use? I don't remember why I have this stuff, but there it is in the garage I got this boat when it had only 19 hours on it and there was a bottle of some kind of fluid stuck back along the storage compartment on the sides...this might have been it...who knows

 

[Barcomb]

Re: What is that reservior--power trim fluid??

Just a thought........
Have you tried following the hose that is attached to that reservoir to see where it goes?
I know on my trim/tilt pump, the reservoir is part of the unit and is mounted on the floor away from the engine, in my case. And it does have a yellow cap.
Try following the hose to see if it goes down to a pump with hydraulic lines coming out of it.

Make me laugh not one post here has answered the question asked what fluid is used is question and where pump is is not the answer so use 10-30 motor oil or atf