Alpha One Gen 2 - Trim will only go a few inches down

[SDSeville]

I have a 2001 Sea Ray 180 with an Alpha One Gen 2 drive. I have had it in storage for a few years and just got it out yesterday. Trim will go all the way up but only a few inches down. When going down, the pump seems to keep running but the drive stops after only a few inches. Where should I start troubleshooting? New limit switches?

...and yes, it was stored with drive in full up position. I was told it was down when they put it away, but sure as heck, it was up when I came to get it.

 

[kenny nunez]

If there is enough fluid in the pump, then ram packing has tightened it self around the extended rods. First try spraying some penetrant on them then have someone put their body weight on the drive while you press the down switch. If you can get them moving they may free up completely.
If you have to replace the packing in the end caps here are the part #s.
Mercruiser. 25-87400a2 Power trim seal kit or
Sierra Marine, 18-2649

 

[SDSeville]

Thanks! How hard is it to replace the packing in the end caps?

 

[SDSeville]

Thinking of just replacing them. Are the SEI trim cylinders any good? a quarter the price of OEM.

SEI MerCruiser Alpha Gen 2 Trim Cylinder Ram (PAIR) 815935A7 8M0118958 815954A7 8M0118959 9B-116-01 9B-116-02

MerCruiser Exhaust Manifolds, Engine Parts, Outdrives and Outdrive Parts, Watersports and more!

nuwavemarine.com

 

[kenny nunez]

The end cap seals are easy to replace and he parts are not expensive.
SEI trim rams will work and hold up. Just depends on the $ question.

 

[SDSeville]

Had an injury to may left arm a few years ago and working with small parts can sometimes be a problem. Can I buy new end caps with seals already in them?

 

[SDSeville]

I got both sides apart. Doesn't look too tough to do the seal kit. I know, I know... I will order one tomorrow. Does anyone know of any good videos of this? I found a couple on Youtube, but they don't show the process too well.

 

[Jmunk]

I bought new end caps and they had the seals in there and came with the o-ring for the cap. I bought OEM.

 

[SDSeville]

I bought new end caps and they had the seals in there and came with the o-ring for the cap. I bought OEM.

If I go with the complete end caps, are there any other seals I will need to replace while I have these open?

 

[Jmunk]

The OEM caps came will all seals installed and the new o-ring for the cap itself. I think they were around $100 each. No need to change out anything else. Be careful with the disassembly and don’t loose the check balls.

 

[kenny nunez]

2Xs on the piston check balls and springs. Be real careful and work over something that will contain anything that falls.

 

[SDSeville]

Ordered caps. $100 for 2 from SEI. Thanks!

 

[SDSeville]

One of the original caps was frozen on the ram as you all suspected. I put the 2 new end caps in and I can hear the pump but now will not go up or down. New caps slid up and down fine before installation. Was I suppose to bleed the system somehow?

 

[Bondo]

One of the original caps was frozen on the ram as you all suspected. I put the 2 new end caps in and I can hear the pump but now will not go up or down. New caps slid up and down fine before installation. Was I suppose to bleed the system somehow?

Ayuh,..... Have somebody jump on it, when yer runnin' the pump down,.....
Is the oil full,..??

 

[SDSeville]

Ayuh,..... Have somebody jump on it, when yer runnin' the pump down,.....
Is the oil full,..??

It is now in the down position after installing the new caps. Yes, the reservoir is full...even though quite a bit of fluid came out when I cracked the lines at the cylinders to reinstall the rams.

 

[SDSeville]

Well I guess the problem was more than just the end caps. I removed all 4 hydraulic lines from the trim cylinders and ran the pump. Only a few partially milky ounces came out and and then nothing from any of the lines. ...and the reservoir is still full.
Time for a new pump?

 

[SDSeville]

UPDATE - Took the pump apart and it was full of very thick slime. Everything was clogged. Cleaned with brushes, small screw drivers and carb cleaner. Also blew out the lines with carb cleaner. Flushed and then filled with synthetic 5w30 (had a gallon in my garage). Works perfectly now. Could be my imagination, but it now Goes up and down faster than I remember it ever did.