trim will not go down

[Mark457]

I have a 2006 5.0L MPI Alpha 1 unit. Boat typically stored out of water on a lift. Boat has not been used for a couple of months but visually outdrive trim tubes look very good. The trim moved very solidly up but will not go down. Drive currently stuck in up position. I hear the trim motor working in both directions. I have sprayed WD-40 on outside trim tubes. I have also tried to stand on outdrive while someone operates the down trim button but still no movement. I see oil in the tank so I do not think oil is low. Not sure if I should try and bleed system since the motor seemed so strong going up. I am thinking it could be some sort of stuck valve. I called a service company and they said bring it in and they will rebuild ram tubes for $600 plus to fix. However, boat is pretty new and I want to see if it is something simple before I do that. Any ideas?

Also, the trim motor bracket looks seriously rusted and need to be replalced. I am considering aftermarket stainless for that.

 

[Don S]

Re: trim will not go down

First thing I would try is stand (Jump/bounce) on the drive while someone holds the down button.
What happens, is when you put the drive all the way up and the pump bogs down, you have a lot of pressure built up. If you just leave it like that, the valve tend to stick. Next time you put it all the way up, just briefly hit the down button to relieve the pressure, and it won't stick in the up position like that.

 

[Mark457]

Re: trim will not go down

First thing I would try is stand (Jump/bounce) on the drive while someone holds the down button.
What happens, is when you put the drive all the way up and the pump bogs down, you have a lot of pressure built up. If you just leave it like that, the valve tend to stick. Next time you put it all the way up, just briefly hit the down button to relieve the pressure, and it won't stick in the up position like that.

Thanks. I will give it another shot. In the vertical position, it is not easy to bounce on it. I normally do relieve pressure when I operate the lift up.

 

[Mark457]

Re: trim will not go down

Thanks. I will give it another shot. In the vertical position, it is not easy to bounce on it. I normally do relieve pressure when I operate the lift up.

Ok, I really bounced on it. No movement. Any other ideas?

 

[Bondo]

Re: trim will not go down

Ayuh,.... disconnect the hyd. lines, 'n it oughta drop....

when down, hook it back up, 'n cycle it....

 

[Mark457]

Re: trim will not go down

Ayuh,.... disconnect the hyd. lines, 'n it oughta drop....

when down, hook it back up, 'n cycle it....

Can I disconnect right where it connects to the otside ram tubes?

 

[Don S]

Re: trim will not go down

Do you boat in salt water? If not, I seriously doubt you have trim ram problems. Does the trim motor bog down when running down, or does it just sound like it's free wheeling? Is the trim oil milky?

You can loosen or disconnect a line on the trim cylinder if you want, you only have to do one side, it will affect both cylinder.

 

[Mark457]

Re: trim will not go down

Do you boat in salt water? If not, I seriously doubt you have trim ram problems. Does the trim motor bog down when running down, or does it just sound like it's free wheeling? Is the trim oil milky?

You can loosen or disconnect a line on the trim cylinder if you want, you only have to do one side, it will affect both cylinder.

That would be good news. I am on the Halifax intercoatal waterway but 10 miles from an inlet. Maybe brackish water. I flush and rince after every use and keep it out of the wate ron a covered lift. And rams look good and shiney. As I want to go up, the motor sounds like is is bogging like I would expect it to sound since it is at the top. It sounds free wheeling when I operate down and it dosen't move.
Oil does not appear milky when I look in the reservoir, just green oil.

 

[Don S]

Re: trim will not go down

Green?????? That would be gear lube, or who knows what you have in it. The trim should be engine oil, not gear lube. If it is in fact gear lube, no wonder you have problems.

You might want to post some pictures so we can be sure what you are looking at.

 

[Bondo]

Re: trim will not go down

That would be good news. I am on the Halifax intercoatal waterway but 10 miles from an inlet. Maybe brackish water. I flush and rince after every use and keep it out of the wate ron a covered lift. And rams look good and shiney. As I want to go up, the motor sounds like is is bogging like I would expect it to sound since it is at the top. It sounds free wheeling when I operate down and it dosen't move.
Oil does not appear milky when I look in the reservoir, just green oil.

Ayuh,... How long ago was the drive Greased,..??

 

[Mark457]

Re: trim will not go down

On closer obervation, including puting my finger in the reservoir, it appears to be engine oil with the normal tint.

 

[Mark457]

Re: trim will not go down

Thats actually 2 pictures turned sideways.

 

[Mark457]

Re: trim will not go down

probably 2 years since drive was serviced fully.

 

[Mark457]

Re: trim will not go down

I could probably loosen a line here to make sure I don't drop oil in the river.

 

[Don S]

Re: trim will not go down

Ok, if you say it's engine oil. Just never seen any green oil.

 

[Mark457]

Re: trim will not go down

Sorry for the misread, its more like light brown.

 

[Bondo]

Re: trim will not go down

probably 2 years since drive was serviced fully.

Ayuh,.... So much for Annual servicin'...

No wonder things are goin' to 'ell....

 

[Mark457]

Re: trim will not go down

guilty as charged, However they had it 7 mo ago for overheating(failed hose clamp) and the year before for serviceing. Gotta get the motor down to get it to the boat ramp.

 

[Bondo]

Re: trim will not go down

guilty as charged, However they had it 7 mo ago for overheating(failed hose clamp) and the year before for serviceing. Gotta get the motor down to get it to the boat ramp.

Ayuh,... So Grease the pivots, 'n maybe you'll get Lucky...