Trim Cylinders Frozen

[sealyons]

I have a 1985 Mercruiser MR 200. The boat was not put in the water last year and not the trim cylindersare stuck. They will not move up or dowm. The trim motor will operate when the up or down buttons are puched but the rams do not move. Is there anything I can do to free them up short of rebuilding/ replacing them?

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Trim Cylinders Frozen

sealyons,<br />You need to verify your problem is the hydraulic system. It could be the pins attaching the cylinders are frozen in place. It's not uncommon for boats operated in salt water. If you disconnect the cylinders from the outdrive and it moves freely your problem is in your cylinders, if not it's in the pins. From there, there are people here who can guide you through the repair process. Good luck.

 

[sealyons]

Re: Trim Cylinders Frozen

I have removed the rear connections and the cylinders still will not budge. The drive moves up and down OK. The boat onlt sat for one season and the drive was down.

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: Trim Cylinders Frozen

Not trying to be a wise guy, but is there fluid in the pump? If so disconnect the lines and make sure your pumping fluid to the rams. It seems odd that both rams would be stuck, especially in the down position. Make sure the pump is developing good psi.

 

[piratedude]

Re: Trim Cylinders Frozen

sealyons- I have the same problem! rotated the rods out of the housings w/ seals and trying to find a post about fixing the seals- there is a rebuild kit for $60-$80 i found but no instructions anywhere on how to do it. look below for my post and there is someone named elpaso who says he will email me info...still waiting..

 

[sealyons]

Re: Trim Cylinders Frozen

There is fluid as best I can tell. The rams were working fine prior to the boat being laid up. I might try draining fluid and re-filling.

 

[elpaso]

Re: Trim Cylinders Frozen

Hey poi9jkl you got the instructions<br />today- should have had diagrams yesterday.<br /><br />Let me know elpaso

 

[sealyons]

Re: Trim Cylinders Frozen

I have filled the fluid up (it was a little low...not much) and still no movement. The pump operates in both the up and down directions. It seems a bit strange that the two cylinders would both be locked up. One is new than the other also. Any suggestions short of replacement/ rebuilding?

 

[piratedude]

Re: Trim Cylinders Frozen

fixed my ram problem by getting a rubber mallet and beating the crap out of the end of the ram. this forced the rods to move in and then they started to work ok. i had to remove the hose nipple first to let the oil pressure down on the rams before your beat on them. a little salt got into the seals and caused them to freeze up.