trim not going all the way down in water

[jerryb1]

I have a 1980 Mercruiser 260 alpha I drive. The last time I had it in the water last year the trim would not go all the way down. It was fine at low speed, but when I tried to bring it on plane, the bow would raise up too high. In my driveway, it goes up and down past vertical to what looks to be correct. Any ideas on what the problem could be?
Also, are there switches that limit the movement or do the cylinders recirculate the oil at full in or out positions
Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: trim not going all the way down in water

There is a trim limit switch that stops the pump from running, but that only works for up, not down.
Being as it's a 1980, I would think you have a "One" Drive, not an Alpha I. They didn't come out till 86.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: trim not going all the way down in water

Mine did the same thing. Worked in the driveway, but not on the lake.

Turned out to be short of oil. Dunno why it worked in the driveway though....

Erik

 

[jerryb1]

Re: trim not going all the way down in water

Maybe its not alpha I , sorry about that . When the cylinders are all the way in what stops the pump?
Maybe it was just low on oil. I don't remember if I checked it last fall and topped it off. I hope that was the problem.
Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: trim not going all the way down in water

When the cylinders are all the way in what stops the pump?

Nothing, it will keep running.

I don't remember if I checked it last fall and topped it off. I hope that was the problem.

Time to check. If it's low, might want to find out WHY!!!!

 

[jerryb1]

Re: trim not going all the way down in water

Now that I think about it, i do see some oil on the floor around the pump occasionally. where does it usually leak from?
Thanks again

 

[Don S]

Re: trim not going all the way down in water

where does it usually leak from?

They don't USUALLY leak from anyplace in particular. Wipe it off, run it and LOOK.

 

[jerryb1]

Re: trim not going all the way down in water

I finally put the boat in the water. It worked okay for two days. Then the drive goes down, but not all the way down. It stops at about 1/2 inch of cylinder left. The pump runs so it's not an electrical problem but for some reason it doesnt go all the way down. Idling around is okay, but when I try to go on plane the boat wants to rocket ship out of the water. Any ideas? There's no leak in the pump as I orignally thought.