OMC tilt jamming

[jmccall]

I've got a 85 OMC stern drive (3.0 liter), and have been having problems with the tilt mechanism.

The tilt sometime starts to raise, but then stops about 1/4 of the way up. You can help it out by hand as someone else presses the switch, and it raises quite nicely. Then I've also had it refuse to raise at all, and no amount of help will get it working.

I've replaced the tilt motor but that didn't help much.

I took the stern drive off this evening, and the tilt motor seems to operate just fine without the stern drive on. The gear that would move the tilt quadrant appears to operate just fine.

My shop manual has the following quote "If tilt quadrant has been replaced and tends to jam in the full tilt position, check quadrant part No. locaed on raised starboar surface. Quadrants with part no 313223 will cause this problem and should be replaced." However, they don't tell you what to replace it with and I don't see why that would be a problem.

I'm looking for ideas as to what could be wrong here. Could the tilt quadrant be the problem? What about the tilt clutch assembly? I'd sure like to get the boat in the water.

Thanks for any help.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC tilt jamming

Heres the link to a old post. Let us know how you made out fixing your problem.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=1740770#post1740770

 

[jmccall]

Re: OMC tilt jamming

Thanks for the reply. I'm going for option B (Remove the clutch and rebuild the housing. New seals). Parts should arrive next week. In the mean time I've taken everything apart, soaked them overnight in paint thinner, and currently have the clutch soaking in oil.

One question, why do you pack the housing with grease instead of using oil?

Jon

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC tilt jamming

Did you have water in the clutch housing? I would be surprised if you say no.

Inherently terrible design however we are stuck with it. Grease will at least keep the water from intruding into the housing. If it's full of grease water can't enter.

I'll put it this way, it's your boat do what you want to do. I pack my housing full with grease.

5 years now no water in my housing. I clean it out every year after the winter and repack it.

Don't over tighten the 4 screws will bind the clutch.

Good luck post how it works out.

 

[jmccall]

Re: OMC tilt jamming

Yep, water in the housing, and after only a few hours of use since I had changed the oil last time. I'll try grease!

Jon

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC tilt jamming

No problemo, post how it works out.

Need any more help just ask every one here loves to help.

Good luck

 

[jmccall]

Re: OMC tilt jamming

Well, finally got the parts in (long story), and reassembled things. It works! Raised and lowered 4 times without problems.

Packing with grease was a little hard, in that it was hard to see if everything was lined up in order to get the cover on. I think it will be easier (and less messy) next time now that I now what to look for.

I took a guess on how tight to set the clutch. The manual says use "special tool" and torque it to 150 lbs or so. Not having the special tool, I just tightened it upa little harder than what I could turn with a big wrench on it. Is there some other way to adjust that?

Now just need to finish fixing the trim and we can get it in the water.

Thanks so much for the help.

Jon

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC tilt jamming

My pleasure. Anytime you need help just post alot better minds here than mine.