Trim pump not pumping after refilling fluid

Solarguy

Cadet
Joined
Oct 1, 2023
Messages
13
Hope this is the correct location for this post. Background - I have a 1997 Four Winns Horizon, VP SX outdrive that I bought last fall that I am “going through”. Noticed that the trim pump was making what can be best described as a “missing” sound mechanically. The motor was running but it sounded like maybe air was trapped. So, I checked fluid level (outdrive in full up position) - level was quite low. No signs of any leaks that I can see anywhere. I added about 1/3 quart of trim fluid up to hole. When I went to test unit, motor and pump ran but no movement and strange muffled sound came from pump. Deep breaths and self doubt creeping in. After a few more attempts the outdrive began to move again- exhale and smile. “Missing” sound seems to have gone and outdrive is moving up and down fine, but the pump doesn’t really sound very “smooth”. In the down direction sounds better than up. It almost sounds like when a solenoid is getting old and starts buzzing.
Questions:
1) why would pump not work after refilling level? It had enough fluid to operate prior to refilling, so it’s not like it “lost prime”. Stuck valve?
2) what’s best approach to diagnosing these units?
Thanks for any insights.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,925
Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... I've always filled the pump in the drive full down position,.....

If yer's is working properly now, I don't know what yer trying to "fix",.....
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,402
Operate it up/down a minimum of 10 times to purge the air out of the sytem
 

Solarguy

Cadet
Joined
Oct 1, 2023
Messages
13
Thanks for the replies. I think the noise I'm hearing is the down relay getting tired and not making good contact. Not looking to fix something that's not broken, but I don't like surprises so I'd rather have a spare part on hand. The fill procedure in the manual says to fill with drive in the up position. I think it was just low on fluid and got air locked and that's what the weird noise and no movement was all about - hopefully. Time will tell. I do know that if this unit goes out, I'm going to replace it with a newer version that has a separate tank and independent relays and breaker. The replacement relay/breaker unit is $300+ which makes no sense at all for what it is. I'll make my own relay board if I need to. Merc's have a much better approach to relays than this old VP unit.
 
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