1999 SX M 1.97 trim pump leak, fluid alternatives, and general questions.

[insttech1]

Hi,

First off, I have the pump inside the boat, with the motor on top of the
reservoir, and two hydraulic hoses. I'm having heck finding info on it from
the volvo site, as it's not listed under the motor nor the drive sections.

My interior trim pump seems to either be leaking from one of two places:
where the motor meets the reservoir, or thru what looks like a 1/16th inch
hole that someone looks to have drilled thru the fill cap, apparently for an
air pressure relief.

I have also heard that there is some manner of thermal "check valve" on these units,
but I have yet to identify it, or look into it. This boat has been out four times this spring,
run very little, and there should not be thermal problems, as it's been cold out,
and the drive doesn't get much in/out tilt use.

The PO said they had a problem with this unit (leaking), and replaced it. It looks to be
just a few years old. All electrical and hoses look great. But there is weepage
that is hard to trace.

My questions are:
1. What is the equivalent to the VP "duraplus" power steering/trim fluid recommended in
the manual so I can top off the tablespoon or so that's leaked.

2. Is there supposed to be an air pressure relief hole in the fill cap? I have seen at least
one other post with this question, and it looks to have been drilled as a half-assed afterthought,
as there were still little pieces of plastic clinging to the hole.

3. Is there a gasket that goes on this cap (mine doesn't have one).

Thanks for your time!!!!

 

[Don S]

Re: 1999 SX M 1.97 trim pump leak, fluid alternatives, and general questions.

1. What is the equivalent to the VP "duraplus" power steering/trim fluid recommended in
the manual so I can top off the tablespoon or so that's leaked.

Dexron ATF

2. Is there supposed to be an air pressure relief hole in the fill cap? I have seen at least
one other post with this question, and it looks to have been drilled as a half-assed afterthought,
as there were still little pieces of plastic clinging to the hole.

Some of the early ones had a hole in the cap, but water could get into the fluid. The threads and cap were changed to vent the cap.
You will just have to see how yours is vented, if done OEM or the previous owner drilled it.
Also make sure the red plug was removed that goes under the cap. It's only supposed to be there for shipping and many forget to remove it after installing the pump.

3. Is there a gasket that goes on this cap (mine doesn't have one).

No.

Here is a link to the page where you find the trim pumps. Not sure if you have the early or late, but both are here. http://www.volvopentastore.com/Tran...on_id.885858139--store_id.366--view_id.789328

 

[insttech1]

Re: 1999 SX M 1.97 trim pump leak, fluid alternatives, and general questions.

Thanks so much Don!

Just by pic's, I'd guess I have the early version due to the motor diameter difference, and the top bolts.
And no, there's no red shipping cap.

As far as the fluid, here is my dilemma:
ATF is nice and bright red, which is what is in my power steering reservoir.

However, what is in my trim pump reservoir is bubble-gum pink.

I do not suspect any water intrusion, as I would think water would sit
in the top of the reservoir; there is none.

Any thoughts on this, and if it should be drained/filled, or if there
should be direct compatibility w/ ATF?

(Of course I hope to find/fix the leak first of all....)

Thanks Again!

 

[Don S]

Re: 1999 SX M 1.97 trim pump leak, fluid alternatives, and general questions.

However, what is in my trim pump reservoir is bubble-gum pink.

I do not suspect any water intrusion, as I would think water would sit
in the top of the reservoir; there is none.

Pink is water in the oil. Run through the pump, it emulsifies the water so it mixes with the oil. Same thing happens to engine oil, it gets milky.
If you just took some water an poured it in some oil, it would sink to the bottom, not float on the surface. Think about oil slicks on the oceans, the oil didn't sink.

 

[insttech1]

Re: 1999 SX M 1.97 trim pump leak, fluid alternatives, and general questions.

OK....makes sense.
I guess next step is to determine the source.
Coming in thru the cap vent is doubtful due to location, but not impossible.
But it's a pressurized system, so I doubt it can take in water thru the joints
between the hoses and the rams at the drive, correct?

Next, how about flushing? Is there a procedure available? From what I have
found, it is just "check fluid levels".

Thanks again Don!!

 

[Don S]

Re: 1999 SX M 1.97 trim pump leak, fluid alternatives, and general questions.

There is no procedure for flushing. You will have to take the reservoir off the pump to clean it. the run the pump (off the boat, no hoses) in some clean oil to get the water out of the pump, disconnect the rams and pump the rams back and forth by hand, to pump the contaminated oil out as much as possible, blow the lines out with compressed air, and put it all back together.

You may have a leaky seal on the ram where the rod comes through, when in forward, there is no pressure on the ram on that side, and it could suck in water.

 

[insttech1]

Re: 1999 SX M 1.97 trim pump leak, fluid alternatives, and general questions.

OK....as usual thank you for all of the info.

Glad I asked about the fluid color! Bigger problem than I thought,
but I'll get it taken care of.

Have a good one Don!!!

 

[insttech1]

Re: 1999 SX M 1.97 trim pump leak, fluid alternatives, and general questions.

Hey Don one thought:
What if I disconnect the hoses at the ram side, and run the pump both ways while refilling with fresh fluid.
Would that not clean out the pump/lines, and then I can get what little remains in the rams by
operating them manually like you mentioned?

Just a thought...
Thanks!

 

[insttech1]

Re: 1999 SX M 1.97 trim pump leak, fluid alternatives, and general questions.

Thanks for all the tips Don!
After getting everything all rebuilt, my son noticed a small drip from the end of one cylinder rod. Sure enough, upon close inspection I can see small cracks in that seal. The other one looks fine. Guess that's where my water came from.

And I guess I didn't get all of the old oil out of the cylinders, as I get pink fluid now after cycling the drive a ton of times....so I will reflush everything and get the new seal.

I also found the source of the trip pump leak; it was not the cap; it was the o-ring where the motor attaches to the reservoir. I reinforced the o-ring with some black permatex until I can get that new one as well, since no one around here stocked it. But I was able to get new o-rings for the hyd' hoses, so that's at least a good thing...

As for the hole in the cap and water intrusion, I can see where water can drip in from the edge of the glass surrounding the rear deck, as the engine cover vinyl can drip water back there when the kids get in/out soaking wet, or it rains when fishing, so I will just put a nipple in the cap and run a 10" 1/8 hose to where air can vent, but water can't get to it. Easy enough!

Thanks again for the help and advice!