Trim will go up but won't go down

[nirpeer1]

Hi everybody... I am new here and with inboard motors. Just got a beautiful 26' 1980 Sea Ray Sundancer a month ago with a Mercruiser 350 magnum with alpha one, and from some reason, it won't trim down or will trim only half way down. The trim up works fine. Don't know what to do. no clicking sound... I can hear the pump working, but the trim won't go down. It happened two weeks ago and nothing would help. I tried to push it down while trimming down and it will go down, but only half way. The pump is running, but it won't go more than half way... fluid level is good... no leaks... Please help...
Thanks

 

[alldodge]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

Welcome to the forum

This link will show you how the system is setup, but it sounds like you have a hydraulic problem. Pump is working but valve is either hung or not working.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=L7p9fg8ZYYcY5Aj3dBhwGg&bvm=bv.49478099,d.aWM

 

[nirpeer1]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

Thanks for the help. So what should I do next? Do i need to bleed the system?

 

[alldodge]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

Thanks for the help. So what should I do next? Do i need to bleed the system?

The system for the most part is self bleeding, look on page 10 of the previous link. With the pump running and nothing happening sounds like it maay be time for repair or replacement of the pump valve body. The link I listed in the previous reply above discusses how to determine what the problem is.

To troubleshoot from my compter I would say; You didn't mention the cylinders leaking, the pump runs when up or down is pressed, and the drive moves up but not down. This would tell me the valve body is probably the problem.

 

[britisher]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

Would the trim limit switches have any effect on the upward/downward movement limits of the rams? If they do, then perhaps they may be at fault?

 

[alldodge]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

The trim limit switch limits the travel in the UP direction only. For this reason there is also a trailer switch which bypasses the limit switch located on the gimble ring. Your issue being in the down direction will have no effect. Keep in mind the limit switch turns off power to the pump in the up direction. If it was miswired and connected to the down your pump would not run pass the limit. I don't see this as an issue because you stated your pump is running when you puch the down button.

 

[nirpeer1]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

Yes. And everything use to work OK until 2 weeks ago... Do I need to replace the valve body on the pump? or the valve on the cylinders? or the all 2 cylinders ? Are they expensive parts?
Thank you so much for the help...

 

[alldodge]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

Yes. And everything use to work OK until 2 weeks ago... Do I need to replace the valve body on the pump? or the valve on the cylinders? or the all 2 cylinders ? Are they expensive parts?
Thank you so much for the help...

That's the story of a boat (Bring On Another Thousand). If it was mine, and I'm pretty good with my hands, I would pull the pump off and take it apart. The valve body is part of the pump and will be replaced as a unit . I would remove the valve body, disassemble and determine if it can be fixed. Your leaving me with the impression that disassembly may be a bit out of your range. If this is the case I will suggest either finding some help or going a pick up a rebuilt or new pump.

 

[nirpeer1]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

I am determent to solve the problem... do i need new pump with new motor? or only the top of the pump with the valve? can you please send me a link of the part i will need? Just to get an idea of how much $$$ to prepare...
Thank you so much...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

I am determent to solve the problem... do i need new pump with new motor? or only the top of the pump with the valve? can you please send me a link of the part i will need? Just to get an idea of how much $$$ to prepare...
Thank you so much...

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... So What have ya Done,..?? Where have ya Tested anything,..??

Take apart some lines, 'n Test things,.....

It Could be most anything right now,... Maybe the Rams are bindin',.... We can't see....

 

[nirpeer1]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

Not yet... I need to get the boat on a trailer... I tried to solve the problem in the water but it looks like i will need to get this baby out...
I think if it's only pump valve i can try to fix it in the water...will see... thank for the help!!!

 

[mtuva]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

Not yet... I need to get the boat on a trailer... I tried to solve the problem in the water but it looks like i will need to get this baby out...
I think if it's only pump valve i can try to fix it in the water...will see... thank for the help!!!

it could very well be the seals in the trim rams they get swollen and wont let it go down.
do the rods look scratched? i see it all the time

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

Not yet... I need to get the boat on a trailer... I tried to solve the problem in the water but it looks like i will need to get this baby out...
I think if it's only pump valve i can try to fix it in the water...will see... thank for the help!!!

Ayuh,.... It's In the water,..??

Trim it down as far as it'll go down, 'n start the motor, drop it into gear, 'n use the prop's thrust to push it Down,....

mtuva is probably right, yer end caps are corroded,...

 

[nirpeer1]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

Ayuh,.... It's In the water,..??

Trim it down as far as it'll go down, 'n start the motor, drop it into gear, 'n use the prop's thrust to push it Down,....

mtuva is probably right, yer end caps are corroded,...

I will try that... Hope it will help... Don't see any scratches on the rods but i will try to take some pics for you to see...
Do i need to replace the caps and the seals? Are they expensive?
Thanks guys!!!

 

[nirpeer1]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

Hi guys. Any info on pricing ??

 

[britisher]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

SEI sell new rams complete with no fault warranty for less than you could buy the parts to refurbish the ones your have. No brainer IMHO.

 

[mtuva]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

I will try that... Hope it will help... Don't see any scratches on the rods but i will try to take some pics for you to see...
Do i need to replace the caps and the seals? Are they expensive?
Thanks guys!!!

it will be about 200 bucks and some speciality tools.you may need an air hammer to loosen the end caps and then a spanner wrench to finish loosening end caps... have someone who does it everyday do it or i could walk you through it

 

[britisher]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

it will be about 200 bucks and some speciality tools.you may need an air hammer to loosen the end caps and then a spanner wrench to finish loosening end caps... have someone who does it everyday do it or i could walk you through it

I mentioned about the rams at SEI (Sterndrive). They are $120.00 each brand + S&H new with 3 year no quibble warranty. Only tool needed is a credit card + installation. Why would you spend $200.00 on repairing old stuff when brand new is cheaper????

 

[nirpeer1]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

Thank you so much guys!!! I am soon going to get a trailer and to take the this baby out ... I will let you know....

 

[mtuva]

Re: Trim will go up but won't go down

Thank you so much guys!!! I am soon going to get a trailer and to take the this baby out ... I will let you know....

did you get it fixed yet?