Mariner Magnum II / Merc XR4 Trim cylinders - should retract with motor down on tilt lock?

[ChadMichels]

1988 Mariner Magnum II 150. I am unsure if the trim cylinders are supposed to retract when setting the engine down on the tilt lock and running the tilt down. I have heard of this procedure for example on Yamaha's, however the trim cylinders on my outboard do not retract in this manner.

The pump seems to struggle when the engine contacts the trim rods when tilting down (maybe just gets slower for more precision movement?? I don't know) To me, It seems they have to be brute forced in, but they do go all the way in. Cylinders have no corrosion or pitting of any kind. Outer seals look good.

When I bled the system with the pressure release 1 1/2 turns out and the drain open, the cylinders would not budge with me pressing on them. I did not attempt to gravity lower the engine down onto them at this stage.

I have done a flush / fill / bleed on the system (old fluid looked great).

This is my first outboard with a 3 cylinder power trim / tilt and I am trying to figure out if there is an issue or if working as intended.

 

[Dukedog]

sounds like its operating correctly........... it changes sound because its a different circuit so ta speak.. tha tilt part (single large cylinder) is jus that and has nothing ta do with tha trim (2 short cylinders) part...... also tha single will not hold under power..

 

[ChadMichels]

Thanks Dukedog. So there is no way to retract the trim cylinders with the tilt up on these?

 

[Dukedog]

never thought of that myself but don't think so?

 

[ChadMichels]

Ok got it. On (some?) Yamahas if you set the motor down on the tilt lock and keep running it down the trim cylinders retract.

Just seemed like it was truggling to trim all the way down so was not sure if there was a slowly developing issue.

 

[Dukedog]

i understand what ya askin' now.. ta tell tha truth even after all these years foolin' with this junk i really can't remember if tha merc stuff shoud or should not act tha same way???
90% of my junk over tha years was usin' tha single ram stuff....

 

[Faztbullet]

Merc wont but Yammy,Junkrudes,Zukis will as they use the Showa trim system

 

[ChadMichels]

Thanks Fazt. Should I be able to manually cause (with force) the trim cylinders to retract with the fluid drained and the pressure release open? Or are they going to be locked in the out position with the tilt cylinder fully extended? Appreciate the responses guys. I've been lurking on iboats for years, you guys know whats up!