Volvo Outdrive Tilt is moving (weak)

[extrakatana]

Have an 88 AQ271 Duo Prop on a houseboat and the tilt/trim works fine throughout the range of travel. However, the tilt creeps down slowly while going forward and I have to re-adjust the trim every several minutes while underway. When backing the tilt creeps upward. The tilt creeps whichever way the thrust is forcing it (it's not holding in place). What is giving way here? the trim reservoir is full of 10W-30 when trim is in the down position...as manual suggests. Do I have hydraulic fluid slow leaking past a seal? What's the fix?

Also, there is a squealing when activating the tilt. I have read on another post this might be from the additional load placed on the alternator when activating, and causing the belt to possibly slip during this brief moment. Wonder if anyone else has a theory or knowledge here.
Thanks in advance

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Outdrive Tilt is moving (weak)

Which type trim pump do you have?
10W40 oil is not recommended for your pump, ATF is.
Does the drive move up and down easily if you unlock it and just lift the drive by hand?

 

[Maclin]

Re: Volvo Outdrive Tilt is moving (weak)

Also, there is a squealing when activating the tilt. I have read on another post this might be from the additional load placed on the alternator when activating, and causing the belt to possibly slip during this brief moment. Wonder if anyone else has a theory or knowledge here.
Thanks in advance

See if it makes the same squealing noise when activating the tilt with the engine not running.

 

[extrakatana]

Re: Volvo Outdrive Tilt is moving (weak)

Not positive which one, will need to visibly check.

Given your information, I just found a SB 44-5 2 01 about these trim units (if indeed applies to mine) where cleaning the seals and refilling with ATF is the fix. On the right track?

I will check to see if the noise occurs when applying trim with the engine off.

BTW, can you tell me the difference between the AQ 271 A,B,C,D type engines? Are they minor?

 

[extrakatana]

Re: Volvo Outdrive Tilt is moving (weak)

Update...

Don S.,
Was looking at the two different pumps in the diagram. If the earlier model is the only one with the fill hole on the back in that approximate position, then I have the earlier model. I have checked that fill hole for fluid level before.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Outdrive Tilt is moving (weak)

I would sure change the fluid in the pump, and flush the pump out with ATF and see if you try that first. There really is no "
Fix" for your problem like the one for the newer pumps (The service bulletin you mentioned). While it's possible it could be a leaking seal in one of the cylinders, I have never run into one, and never heard of one here at iboats, it always turns out to be the pump.

As for the weak/slow movement, you did check to see if the drive moves up and down easily didn't you? If you are in salt water I have seen the pivot bushing corroded so bad that the drive would barely move.

 

[extrakatana]

Re: Volvo Outdrive Tilt is moving (weak)

I will flush and refill with ATF. The boat is docked an hour away and on a houseboat in fresh water. "Slow Movement" ...let me clarify that the trim goes up and down easily with the tilt/trim control, there is a slow movement for the outdrive to become "out of trim" in the direction of force. ie. after 5 minutes of running at 2,000RPM, I have to-re-trim back to level because there was "slow movement" towards negative trim. Don't know if it moves freely by hand yet.

Since it appears I have the older pump, is the only way to evacuate the oil through the fill hole using the same procedure as filling(trim full down)? I have a large syringe and tube I could remove with, but don't want oil to be trapped below a seal or something.

Could have sworn the technical data in the manual for hydraulic trim pump called for .52 qts. oil, "same as engine." After checking the pump for oil last week, there was a dark oil (not ATF) in the pump. It appears the previous owner read the data as I did. ATF makes sense if it helps swell up some seals. Just making sure I put ATF in the pump....if the alternative is to change the pump, I guess I don't have anything to lose. Comments?

 

[extrakatana]

Re: Volvo Outdrive Tilt is moving (weak)

I evacuated about 1/4 Qt of 10w-30 from the trim pump reservoir, added ATF then cycled the trim a couple of times through full range. Removed what was in the reservoir and added fresh ATF again. Trims up and down just fine. Yet to give it a sea trial.

 

[now151]

Re: Volvo Outdrive Tilt is moving (weak)

i had trouble with my sx going up and down because of where the stainless rods holding the trim cylinders go through the drive housing.were corroded so bad in the housing that it actually made one of the cylinders leak due to the friction and side tension where the ram wasn't going in straight. had to cut the shaft out with a saws all and bang the pieces out of the trim cylinder housing.