Cost of Spares and lifespan

[goldenmonkeyboy]

Hello<br /><br />This is a great site and has helped me enourmously. Here's my first question since registering - <br /><br />My tilt and trim started to grind slowly and then move not at all - except for a click and hum noise from motor which increased in sound if I pushed the wires in harder on the electric motor. Raising the outboard to work on the trim and tilt was very difficult dispite opening the hydraulic release valve. I had to use a car jack - is that normal? I opened the hydraulic reservoir cap and the reservoir was full with no leaks.<br /><br />I am no electrical expert and read through wiring diagnosis in the workshop manual but all I could manage was putting a voltmeter on the green and blue wires at the last connector before the motor and got a 12.5v reading when pressing up and down.<br /><br />Well based on this I thought my electric motor nust be gone. Firstly this motor is 3 years old - iis that how long these things should last? Secondly when I ordered a replacement it cost me £200.00 pounds!! <br />That evening I took out the whole trim and tilt assembly and reconnected motor up to the wiring harness and the motor decided to work fine. So I reassembled the whole lot and now have a trim and tilt working. Not quite sure why but a straight assembly/reassembly fixed it somewhere!<br /><br />The new part arrived next day from a UK stockist who imports marine parts from the USA. I called them and told them the part was not needed and they wanted 25% restocking charge - Thats £50.00 pounds. Is that right!!<br /><br />I'm new to this boating lark but £200 motors that last 3 years and stockists who charge £50 to have a part back to stock - help me out here am I being ripped off or is this what everyone puts up with because I think it stinks. Your comments please..

 

[goldenmonkeyboy]

Re: Cost of Spares and lifespan

Sorry - forgot to mention . It's a late 90's 70HP Johnson outboard<br /><br />Thanks

 

[goldenmonkeyboy]

Re: Cost of Spares and lifespan

I have learnt from the workshop manual that there is a trailer support lever for the outboard to lock it in place when you tow it down to the coast. Well I have been trailering the boat on about 6 trips going over ramps and stuff with the outboardnot on support lever bot sitting on trim and tilt rams - would this cause damage and be part of my t&t problem?

 

[jeffmock]

Re: Cost of Spares and lifespan

Hello Gold<br />I don't know if trailering your boat with the motor unsupported would cause your former problem, but I would suggest getting a "transom saver". Mine is a square aluminum tube with an end that fits the lower unit and the other end fits to the last roller on the trailer. The weight of the motor is supported by the transom saver and not the transom itself. You may be able to work out a deal with your marine store on the restocking fee by purchasing other things you will need for your boat.<br />Good Luck

 

[goldenmonkeyboy]

Re: Cost of Spares and lifespan

Thanks JR. I have tried negotiating with the store but they want full 25% restock.

 

[sharkcat]

Re: Cost of Spares and lifespan

A rude awakening for you unfortunately.Most places here in western Australia will charge a restocking fee for parts ordered in normally enough to cover the freight etc.I think 25% is a bit steep but tell them you are not happy & drop names of other suppliers(if there are any)If they still wont come to the party vote with your feet.<br />The secret is not to order parts unless you are absolutely sure you need them.A trim motor here in WA for a merc can be over $1200 about 400 pounds ouch.The problem you had was probably a bad connection . Good luck