tilt/trim problem

[wvbl]

I have a 1990 Chaparral 2050SL with a 5.0LX Merc Alpha One I/O. I can no longer raise the outdrive for trim or trailer. There is power to the trim motor, and it makes the usual whirring sound as if it's trying to raise the outdrive. Although it is a bit higher pitched than it used to be. The trim fluid reservoir is topped off. I don't see any problem with the lines, and there is no fluid in the bilge. The trim gauge began behaving erratically a few weeks ago, but no problem at all with the trim itself up until now. I'm just looking for suggestions of what else to check before I pull it from the water. Anybody have any ideas??

 

[Walter]

Re: tilt/trim problem

Let's put this back on top...<br /><br />Hmmm...these units should be self bleeding...meaning they should be able to purge any air in the system by themselves. That's my understanding anyway. In any event, it doesn't sound like your problem is electrical...but I'm no power trim expert. Your trim gauge circuits may be faulty...which would explain the erratic gauge issue. But I don't believe that should have any bearing on your outdrive not raising...yet it's interesting this occurred just prior to the "no raise" failure. Are you certain the hydraulic fluid is at the proper level? Are you using the correct fluid?? I'm stumped...<br /><br />Let's see what the experts have to say about this...<br /><br />Trent...ODDD1...etc.<br /><br />Whaddya think guys?<br /><br />Walt

 

[Trent]

Re: tilt/trim problem

Check out what Mr. Walter has said..The trim indicator has nothing to do with it! Check the fluid level again!! It might be time for a overhaul of the trim pump? Or the rams.

 

[wvbl]

Re: tilt/trim problem

Thanks very much for your replies. At this point, I'm assuming that the trim gauge is a separate issue from the trim failure. I took a longer look at the trim failure over the past weekend. <br /><br />The fluid is definitely topped off. I added a couple of ounces of 10W-30 last fall to top it off. The maintenance manual says that 10W-30 is an okay substitute for Quicksilver trim fluid. However the fluid in the reservoir now seems milky in appearance (kind of like coffee with cream in it) and texture (viscosity is more like cream than oil). <br /><br />There are two lines leading from the pump to the lower unit. Is one line a return to the trim pump? I'm asking because one of the lines appears to either be completely clear of fluid, or it might contain the fluid that I'm seeing in the reservior. The other line appears to contain the darker, oily fluid that I expected to see in the reservior.<br /><br />Can water infiltrate the trim system and cause the fluid to lighten like lower unit lubricant does when water infiltrates the lower unit?<br /><br />The trim pump is original equipment. I use the trim frequently when under way. The boat probably has well over 200 hours on it although I don't have an hour meter. I don't trailer the boat other than at the beginning and end of the season.<br /><br />If the trim pumps needs to be replaced, or the lines need to be bled, is this something that can be done in the water or do you need to have the boat on land? Is this work something that a weekend type mechanic could do, or is it better left to a pro? I always do basic maintenance (oil, filters, plugs, lower unit, winterizing, etc...)to my boats, but always leave the bigger jobs to the pros. <br /><br />Any more help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ross J]

Re: tilt/trim problem

If the trim oil has a milky appearence then there's air in the oil. I would consider bleeding it out and refilling with fresh oil. I,ve had this problem and it wasn't solved until I figured that out! I also found a minor leak which hasn't worsened in the last 5 years so I havn't tried to fix it.<br />Ross

 

[wvbl]

Re: tilt/trim problem

I've bled brakes on cars before, but I've never bled the trim system of a boat. I can't find anything in the maintenance manual on this subject. Can anybody describe the process? Is there a bleed valve? Do you simply disconnect, drain, reconnect and fill? If it's simply a drain and refill, at what point in the system do you disconnect for draining the fluid? Is it the pump end or ram end? Is the system self bleeding as an earlier poster suspected? <br /><br />Thanks again for your replies.

 

[Ross J]

Re: tilt/trim problem

WVBL, on my tilt there's an 'upper' and 'lower' screw into the oil storage section. To bleed it I just opened them both and emptied it, along with manually lifting the leg up after loosening the bypass screw. Thus I managed to empty the entire system. Then I filled it again and after a few cycles and topping up the oil it has been good.<br />Yours may well be different but there should be sufficient screws or bolts to allow you to empty the system.<br />Ross

 

[wvbl]

Re: tilt/trim problem

RossJ, can all of this work be done inside the boat and without pulling the lower unit? I apologize for my ignorance. I'm just trying to determine whether this is something that I believe I can do myself. I'd love to get my boat to function normally again as quickly as possible. However I don't want to get into a situation where my boat is in pieces and then I have to ask for help. I also add that I'm about 25 miles from the nearest repair shop.<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[Ross J]

Re: tilt/trim problem

WVBL I don't know the answer to that. We don't have the same system. Mine is entirely outside the boat so yours being inboard may be difficult. Perhaps someone with a similar setup could help.<br />Ross

 

[clanton]

Re: tilt/trim problem

The pump should shelf bleed. The milky fluid has water in the fluid, water enters thru yellow cap. Have someone feel the line when the pump is engaged, you should be able to feel the hose swell from the hyd pressure. If you have hyd pressure and the drive is not moving, the seals,and housings on the t/t cylinders are stuck to the cylinder piston rod. You can verify pump pressure by connecting a pressure guage in series in the line comming from pump, with t/t locked the pump will make about 1900 psi.

 

[wvbl]

Re: tilt/trim problem

If I don't have hydraulic pressure, and the hydraulic fluid has water in it, does that indicate a problem with the pump? Or does the lack of pressure only mean that I have a problem with the fluid, and need to remove all fluid in the lines and replace it. Given the type of system that I have, is any of this something that should be done by an amateur?

 

[clanton]

Re: tilt/trim problem

The system should work with 50% water, for a while. Can you see the outdrive?

 

[Trent]

Re: tilt/trim problem

Hey Clanton...Do you ever go by Nelson Marine on Thomas Drive much? If you do tell Ken to KMA! <br /><br />(All in fun) He knows me.

 

[clanton]

Re: tilt/trim problem

Havent had time, working on dau house. I met him when I stopped to look at a small jet boat that I thought was for sale. The boat was his personal boat, we talked a long time about the jet boats, went back about a month later met wife, nice people. I headed that way this week end for a week, will stop by and tell him you said hello. We are talking about the Yamaha sterndrive dealer right?

 

[Trent]

Re: tilt/trim problem

Yes, The same guy. Wife is named Pattie.<br /><br />Know anyone looking for a jetboat? Iv got a 1995 Seadoo Twin 80HP freshwater only for sale.

 

[wvbl]

Re: tilt/trim problem

Clanton, Yes, I can see the outdrive.

 

[clanton]

Re: tilt/trim problem

I got lost with all of the posts. Pump running, full of fluid, you can here motor load as hyd pressure builds, drive does not move. Loosen 1 line a bit, engage motor, should have lots of pressure. WATCH YOUR EYES FLUID UNDER HIGH PRESSURE. If you have all of the above, Check hyd cylinders.

 

[wvbl]

Re: tilt/trim problem

Should I be able to disconnect the trim cylinders from the outdrive and manually raise the outdrive? Is there any harm in this? Would I be able to transport the boat if I tie everything off?

 

[wvbl]

Re: tilt/trim problem

Does anybody have any response to this?

 

[Walter]

Re: tilt/trim problem

That's not a problem as long as you insure the outdrive and trim cylinders are properly secured and don't drop once they're separated.<br /><br />Walt