Outdrive not going down

[CPro]

Hey guys, I've got something going on with the hydraulic trim cylinders and am sure you all have seen this before so I figured I'd ask! Last season the outdrive was stubborn and was hard to get to lower into the correct position. I'd have to help it along by applying some load to the outdrive while actuating the cylinder. I'd like to get this all ironed out before boating/fishing season gets here so I was looking a bit closer at this as I cleaned the boat up yesterday. I took the lid off the hydraulic reservoir and the fluid looks milky, but the level was fine. The cylinders are more stubborn than usual after sitting all winter.

The boat is a 1997 Sea Pro 190 WA with a 3.0 4 cylinder engine. Since the fluid looks milky, I assume the external seals are going bad? Should I replace the cylinders, or rebuild them? Also, how can you tell if the pump unit itself is going bad?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you might have!

Trev
Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

 

[dubs283]

Re: Outdrive not going down

yep, the seals in the rams are going bad, along with the internals

either rebuild or replace them - then completely fush the old oil out of the system and replace with new - 10W-30

you would notice a definite whine/lag in the motor if it were going out, you can rebuild the motor and get new parts for the pump as well, rarely does the pump itself go bad tho

 

[britisher]

Re: Outdrive not going down

Check out replacement trim cylinders at SEI Engineering online. Their cylinders are brand new, have a 3 year no fault warranty and the replacement parts to refurbish your would come to more than they charge. They carry a whole host of stuff including replacement sterndrives, transom parts as well as trim pump stuff. You can also buy individual parts as well.