Tilt/trim motor removal

[ultra353]

`89 merc 40hp, 4cyl, single ram style. Bad motor as jumping the 2 wires directly i get nothing. Motor is in down position and the release slotted screw cap broke in two( its plastic). Now i can`t lift motor up to get to anything, any ideas as how to get to it as motor is currently bolted to boat and i probably can`t lift it myself. Thanks.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt/trim motor removal

Just a trim motor is not going to fix. You're looking at $125 for a new motor plus $225 for rebuilding hydraulics = $350 total. Sometimes you can luck out and find decent used motors for $50ish.

Broken release screw is usually a big deal on the mercury. It is difficult to get system working perfectly again if you take half measures. The broken release is a triple edged sword. The system won't work with broken pieces still stuck inside, the system won't work if you scratch the aluminum getting broken pieces out, and the system won't work if there is any debris left up in the passageways. The only way to be 100% confident in your system is a full out total rebuild. It is not a difficult job but you must be tedious and meticulous. Usually only takes about $60-$120 in parts to do the repair (depends upon condition of spool valve).

Now - about getting the trim off your boat. Your are going to have to unbolt the anchor bracket and take trim off with lower bracket attached. Once the system is off boat, then you can remove bracket. Both upper and lower shafts are held in place by a a retaining pin that looks like a blunted nail. The head of nail often gets bent because sometimes the only way to remove it is to punch and pry the head. Don't worry if your "nail" gets damaged. They are a cheap part. But be careful not to damage the aluminum brackets. They are not cheap.

 

[ultra353]

Re: Tilt/trim motor removal

Thanks for the repy RRitt. I got the release valve to loosen up and was able to lift motor up. The plastic valve itself isn`t broken just the hexigon cap where you put the screwdriver blade to turn it. I think i got lucky there.
On to removing the motor.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt/trim motor removal

Thanks for the repy RRitt. I got the release valve to loosen up and was able to lift motor up. The plastic valve itself isn`t broken just the hexigon cap where you put the screwdriver blade to turn it. I think i got lucky there.
On to removing the motor.

then simply remove the release valve with a bucket to catch oil. you can manually raise the engine and gain access to the lower retaining pin.

 

[ultra353]

Re: Tilt/trim motor removal

Got it off and taken apart. No water or rust found in the oil or oil cavity, but the motor is shot. Its full of rust and won`t turn. Looks like previous owner had it apart as silicone was used to reseal the top of the motor hosing and it had obviously leaked. I`ll get a new motor and release valve and see if the ram works correctly. Thanks RRitt for guidence.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt/trim motor removal

be careful of silicone. it is very bad thing to have around trim. just one of those little chunks can mess up the internals very badly. make sure to carefully remove all traces from any possible contact with internal fluids. If your release valve came out whole, then you should be good. Do not fully tighten the new release valve. anywhere in the last full turn is the same. But if you bottom it out into the hole it might crack. also try to relieve system pressure by bumping the motor down against a transom saver before you loosen it. The internal pressure can push out hard enough to actually damage threads under some conditions. and finally, try to release pressure before you store for winter. I see a lot of release valves that seem to freeze into place and split over cold winters.

 

[ultra353]

Re: Tilt/trim motor removal

Thanks for all the tips.

 

[ultra353]

Re: Tilt/trim motor removal

I found a complete working assembly - ram/motor/bracket for my motor. I think i`ll go this way as its cheaper than just an ebay motor and i`ll have a spare ram. Thanks for your help RRitt.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt/trim motor removal

A new motor is $109. Anybody offerring to sell you a complete working system for less should be approached with extreme caution. If it it is the IMS guy on ebay, don't give him any money. Request COD shipment of pay through an escrow that holds money until after delivery. I have tagged a number of his ebay trim items on my watch list and he does not appear to be legit.

If the used system is from a salty or brackish location then don't buy it unless the seller is willing to remove all brackets and mounting pins before shipping. About 50% of saltwater systems are worthless due to hidden corrosion.

These systems usually last 12-18 years. If you are buying a used freshwater system near the end of it's life then you may just be swapping one problem for another.

If it was me, I would put a new motor on my working system long before I'd roll the dice on a cheap used one.

 

[ultra353]

Re: Tilt/trim motor removal

Thanks for the advice RRitt. I was going to get the $109 motor as i`ve purchase a new starter for my mower of them in the past with good results. This is a local guy that i`ve bought many parts off of in the past and he`s a honest guy. Its about 2/3 the cost of the ebay motor and for that price i`ll get a tested, all factory , clean working freshwater unit. I don`t know if my ram has any issues either so I think its worth the chance even if it doesn`t last that long. Thanks again for all your help.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt/trim motor removal

after you finish the swap, drop me a pm. i buy broken units for cores. condition of motor doesn't matter. Only safe way to buy cores is assume the motor is no good regardless of what seller says. A motor will spin even after it has bearing, seal, or jacket problems. About 2/3 of the "good" motors aren't really any good after all. So your motor being broken just doesn't matter to me as a core.

 

[ultra353]

Re: Tilt/trim motor removal

Will do, Thanks

 

[timmeraw]

Re: Tilt/trim motor removal

I have the same outboard and need the reservoir piece for my tilt/trim. The motor and relays work well but I overfilled the reservoir and it cracked the reservoir housing right at the threads of the fill hole. I cannot find just that part anywhere and would love to buy it off of you.
Please send me an email if you are interested. tmeraw1@rochester.rr.com
Thanks,
Tim

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt/trim motor removal

I have the same outboard and need the reservoir piece for my tilt/trim. The motor and relays work well but I overfilled the reservoir and it cracked the reservoir housing right at the threads of the fill hole. I cannot find just that part anywhere and would love to buy it off of you.
Please send me an email if you are interested. tmeraw1@rochester.rr.com
Thanks,
Tim

A reservoir alone will cost more than a whole motor.