Out Drive wont go down

[D&L Foster]

Hello, I have a 1998 Pro Line 201 with a 3.0 Mercruiser and Alpha One Outdrive. The boat stays on a salt water mooring during the summer with the drive trimmed all the way up to help against sea growth. The last couple of trips out the outdrive would not go all the way down without standing on the outdrive while someone was holding the trim down button. One under way the trim worked fine. Went to pull the boat for the winter last week and the drive would not go all the way down even when standing on it. Once under way the drive went down the rest of the way while holding the trim button and throttling up. On the trailer the drive trimmed up properly, but won't even budge down home in the yard. The pump seems to be running fine. I disconected the braided lines a the base of the stern thinking the drive would fall under it's own weight, but nothing. Any ideas before I give in to the mechanics hourly rate? Thanks, D&L

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

Sorry I can't answer your specific question, but here's a link to the factory manual with a troubleshooting section for trim systems.

Good luck.

 

[swampy2646]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

did you check the fluid level in the pump resorviour?

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

Let's try that link again...

http://www.4shared.com/file/115650149/5fc7e090/Service_Manual_06.html

 

[Don S]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

Actually, being a late 90's boat, he needs the manual #14

http://www.4shared.com/file/115650157/a164fcd6/Service_Manual_14.html

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

Thanks Don...sorry D&L.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

I disconected the braided lines a the base of the stern thinking the drive would fall under it's own weight, but nothing.

Ayuh,... The drive pivots on pins,+ bushings... I'd say your's are Corroded beyond belief....
Your Mechanic is going to have Busted Knuckles,+ you'll be writing a Fat check....

 

[D&L Foster]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

Thanks to all that have replyed,

The resivore is full and the fluid looks good and clear. All pivit points are clear of corrosion and have been greased annualy. There dosn't seem to be any visual obstructions. Will draining the system and filling with new fluid do any good?

 

[Don S]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

Does this boat sit in salt water a lot?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

Does this boat sit in salt water a lot?

Ayuh,... I'd say about 5 months or more outa the year,....

The boat stays on a salt water mooring during the summer with the drive trimmed all the way up to help against sea growth.

 

[Don S]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

Yeah, that's what happens when you read a thread, and come back later to answer without re-reading ............... :redface:

 

[jtybt]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

You have salt built up behind the scrapper washer in the end cap of the hydraulic cylinders. That is going to happen when you leave the drive up and the salt has a chance to build up and dry out. Take a look at the little SS washer at the end cap. It may even be bulging out because of the salt build-up.

 

[D&L Foster]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

Getting a late start this morning. After a couple cups of coffee I'll get out there and check those scrapper washers.
Thanks, D&L

 

[D&L Foster]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

You have salt built up behind the scrapper washer in the end cap of the hydraulic cylinders. That is going to happen when you leave the drive up and the salt has a chance to build up and dry out. Take a look at the little SS washer at the end cap. It may even be bulging out because of the salt build-up.

I pulled the four plastic end caps off to find reasonably clean corrosion free pivot points. I removed the spring clips from all four pivot points. Only three had the stainless washer and all four had the plastic bushings in tact. Looks as though they were greased when the outdrive was put back on after last years winterization.
I removed the pistons and lowered the drive to rest on a block. Tried the trim down button, but niether piston moved, and now I'm hearing a bit of a screeching noise from the pump. Is it possable for both pistons to be stuck internaly at the same time, or am I looking at a pump problem?
D&L

 

[jtybt]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

There is one scrapper washer for each END CAP of the hydraulic cylinder(inside but visable from the outside)

You should have the type cap that needs a pin wrench to remove. The hydraulic rams need to be re-built.

 

[D&L Foster]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

Thanks Charlie,
It's making more sence to me now. I guess it didn't sink in as to where the scrapper washer was located. When you say "rebuilt" are you talking a new seal kit ($15) or a complete overhaul kit ($95+$15 seal kit). I'm sure from past boating maintenance it's the more expensive repair.
D&L

 

[Bondo]

Re: Out Drive wont go down

When you say "rebuilt" are you talking a new seal kit ($15) or a complete overhaul kit ($95+$15 seal kit).

Ayuh,... That depends on whether you have the Tools,+ the talent to do it yourself....
And,...
It'll depend on the amount of corrosion found on tear down...