trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

[NHGuy]

I was putting the drive on today and found the trim would not go all the way down. Took the rams back off to be sure it was not the drive holding up, but that went down fine.
I tried exercising it a little but no luck. Comes to the same spot and halts every time. When it stops it makes the normal sound as if it's all the way down, but it's not. I measured the exposed area that's been wiped by the seal to determine the 3.5" of retraction that I'm missing.
Here's another thing that could be related, I forgot to retract them over the winter.
I'm going to look through the drive manual, but any thoughts are a help.
And I guess I'm going to retract them over the winter from now on.:embarassed::05.18-flustered::redface-new::black_eyed:

 

[Don S]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

Disconnect the rams from the drive and see if one ram will retract all the way and if one of them is stuck.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

OK, they do both extend. Think I will do that right now & come back in a few minutes.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

Also, when you take the rams off the outdrive, you should be able to see that the outdrive lowers to its lowest position.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

Just checked. They stop in the same spot if pushed by hand individually or by using the trim pump. Maybe there's a ridge formed inside the cylinder (s?). Neither one will retract past that same point.
Yeah Ted it will go to the stops when the rams are off.

 

[Don S]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

Never heard of a ram building up a ridge in it by setting.
Are they the same cylinders that worked ok last year?
Is the fluid level ok?
Is the oil milky?

 

[NHGuy]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

Yep same old rams, oil is OK. I think I might push down on it while someone operates the switch.

 

[Tiwaz]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

Could the limit switches need to be adjusted?

 

[Don S]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

Could the limit switches need to be adjusted?

No, there is no trim limit going down.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

I don't think they limit down, just up. Am i right?

 

[Tiwaz]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

sorry, brain fart.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

I'm going to crack the down fittings loose and see if they will drop that way, too rainy & dark to do it tonight though.
Am I going to need line wrenches? I would think so.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

I'm going to crack the down fittings loose and see if they will drop that way, too rainy & dark to do it tonight though.
Am I going to need line wrenches? I would think so.

Best to use the 3/8" (IIRC) flare nut wrench. If you use a regular open end wrench it may wear the nut portion of the fitting.

I love how boats decide to show that they are broken right before you are ready to start using them for the season.

I just ordered a new hydraulic pump for my trim system.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

Yup, idiot me brought home a 10 mm flare nut wrench, too loose. 3/8" tomorrow.
I haven't run my motor since resealing it and rebuilding the carburetor. The suspense is killing me. If I get any oil in the bilge I'm gonna cry.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

Ted, do boats like yours run with 1 trim pump or 2? I have never been at the controls of a twin engine.

 

[achris]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

Yup, idiot me brought home a 10 mm flare nut wrench, too loose. 3/8" tomorrow.
I haven't run my motor since resealing it and rebuilding the carburetor. The suspense is killing me. If I get any oil in the bilge I'm gonna cry.

Now you know how I felt when I was trying to fix my timing cover leak. Had the engine out and back in about 10 times over a period of 2 years :facepalm:... Been oil free for 14 months now.

Ted, do boats like yours run with 1 trim pump or 2? I have never been at the controls of a twin engine.

2 pumps, 2 sets of trim controls.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

Oh yeah Chris, I read your entire debacle! I don't have any of that stuff going on I hope. Just 23 year old gaskets. Except...
I got gear headed while doing the seals and bought a shiny alloy timing cover. Now that it's back in the boat you can hardly see the silly thing. Oh and I de-painted the carburetor linkage and repainted the carb itself. It better run well cause it sure is clean and shiny in there!

 

[achris]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

...Been oil free for 14 months now..

Makes me sound like an addict... "I'm an addict, and I've been oil free for...." LOL

 

[tpenfield]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

Ted, do boats like yours run with 1 trim pump or 2? I have never been at the controls of a twin engine.

2 pumps . . . 2 of everything for that matter. I have a new pump on order, should be delivered today. The trim controls are a little funky, as they are both built into the throttle lever one on top of the other. So, you have to remember which is port versus starboard.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: trim retracts 3.5" less than it should, Alpha 1

OK, reporting in. I opened the fittings before work today and the rams retracted fine. I'm guessing there is a restriction in the down circuit, so I'm going to change out the fluid and try to back flush the down circuit. I'm off work tomorrow and can some spend time on the boat, but I have a pretty good list of important family stuff that I have been ignoring too...ah, boats!
At least the wife wants the boat running as much as I do.