2002 Volvo Penta SX outdrive trim/tilt problem

[gucio1]

Hi Guys
Another season another question
Took out my boat out yesterday. Zero issues on the water. Got back home and went to lower the outdrive and it would not move. You can hear the motor running but nothing happens. (when I turn the switch to lift it , it definitely feels like it is engaging, but nothing when I try to lower it) This leads me to believe it is not solenoid related and something mechanical.
Hope it's an easy fix and you guys can point me in the right direction.
Just a quick comment, I do have fluid in the pump.

Thanks in advance

 

[ggc]

When you say zero issues on the water do you mean the trim worked both up and down? See this thread on a similar problem to yours. It may have some things to check.

Volvo/Penta trim won't go down!

2001 Glastron 175 SX, 3.0L Volvo (GM), SX drive Parked the boat last October and everything was working just fine. Got the boat out this weekend to clean up and get ready for the season, charged battery to full (13.5 v), added fresh gas and the engine fired right up. Tried to trim down and it...

forums.iboats.com

If the pump motor is running but the outdrive does not move, it may be a fluid leak. You should check the trim pump assembly and the stainless lines to the trim cylinders to be sure there is no leaking fluid. Bear in mind that even if you do not see a leak externally, they can also leak inside the trim pump enclosure. It may not be the problem but it is a common failure for VP trim pump assemblies that are mounted on the outside of the transom. I ended up replacing my trim pump.

Good luck.

 

[gucio1]

Thank you I will take a look. When on the water I was able to lower it no problem and then it went up no issues on the way out. To be honest I was not doing any trimming during the ride as the water was super choppy so it was next to impossibly to get it to plane. Just as a side my pump is mounted inside and not attached to the transom.

 

[Lou C]

I think the SX series has the trim motor mounted inside the boat usually on the port rear side.

 

[gucio1]

Quick update. Finally got around to look at the boat. Added about 50 mL of fluid to the reservoir and works no problem now.

 

[ESGWheel]

Added about 50 mL of fluid to the reservoir and works no problem now.

50ml is not a lot (less than 2 oz) and suspect it just started working again vs. solving the issue. If you had to add a whole bottle (16 oz) and it was sucking air before that ok, but then the issue would be where did the fluid go? The system is ‘closed loop’ and whether up or down the level remains unchanged in the reservoir.

My SX-M drive trim pump is on the inside, port side and looks like the pic. Assume yours is the same.

Suggest while on the trailer you lower / raise a number of times but let it rest after a couple of cycles so you do not overheat the unit. Have someone watch the drive while you are cycling it. Look for inconsistencies as well as a drop in fluid level.

There is a comprehensive testing procedure for checking the system but requires gauges and disconnecting lines, etc, not something to do without a lot of planning.

If all seems ok, I suggest replacing both relays for good measure. They can intermittently fail as you are describing. It will be no fun trying to pull your boat out and the drive does not go up.

 

[gucio1]

50ml is not a lot (less than 2 oz) and suspect it just started working again vs. solving the issue. If you had to add a whole bottle (16 oz) and it was sucking air before that ok, but then the issue would be where did the fluid go? The system is ‘closed loop’ and whether up or down the level remains unchanged in the reservoir.

My SX-M drive trim pump is on the inside, port side and looks like the pic. Assume yours is the same.

Suggest while on the trailer you lower / raise a number of times but let it rest after a couple of cycles so you do not overheat the unit. Have someone watch the drive while you are cycling it. Look for inconsistencies as well as a drop in fluid level.

There is a comprehensive testing procedure for checking the system but requires gauges and disconnecting lines, etc, not something to do without a lot of planning.

If all seems ok, I suggest replacing both relays for good measure. They can intermittently fail as you are describing. It will be no fun trying to pull your boat out and the drive does not go up.

Thank you for your insight. The drive would not budge and I tried multiple times over different days including the day I added the fluid. The pump would just run and nothing would happen hence the reason why I do not believe there is anything wrong with the relays (I had relays problems in the past and the pump would not engage when the relay was dead). As soon as I added the oil it started to move. It has been working great ever since. I moved it up and down multiple times and have been on the water as well without any issues.

 

[ESGWheel]

That’s great news!
It seems that adding such a small amount should not have made a difference but glad it did. If it happens again and want to follow the formal VP troubleshooting / testing procedure, PM me and I will send you a copy if you do not have it. This test involves getting both stall and running pressures of the pump so requires a gauge, replacement O-Rings, etc. so somewhat involved.