Volvo power tilt & trim

[jjlcfs]

The trim fluid in one of my Volvo outdrives looked milky, so I drained the reservoir several times and cycled new Dextron fluid through it. However evertime I cycle the out drive up and down several times the fluid turns a pink color rather than the dark red it was. The up and down trim seems to work OK and there are no leaks. The boat has not been in the water since last year so it should not be getting water in it. The other outdrive does not do this. I wonder if it could be air? Does anyone know if this could be normal since it seems to work OK? The unit does make more noise than the other one when moving especially going down.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo power tilt & trim

If all you are doing is draining the reservoir, then you are just diluting it down a little bit each time. The trim cylinders have to be emptied first, the lines blowed out, and the reservoir on the trim pump (assuming plastic reservoir, no indication of type of drive or year) removed and cleaned out.
I usually just take the cylinders off and pump extend and retract the ram by hand to pump the oil out.
Then refil and operate a few times to bleed out. Bet it clears up then.

 

[jjlcfs]

Re: Volvo power tilt & trim

Thanks, I will give it a try and let you know what happens
Jerry

 

[jjlcfs]

Re: Volvo power tilt & trim

Today I drained all the fluid out of the cylinders, lines and reservior. I then filled it with new fluid and cycled it through several times. The fluid again turned a strawberry milky color. The pump and motor sounded better and everthing works OK except for the fluid color. I don't know if it is a problem or not. Any more ideas?
Jerry

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo power tilt & trim

Did you pull the reservoir off the pump and clean it. and circulate some new oil thru the pump?

 

[jjlcfs]

Re: Volvo power tilt & trim

I had the resevoir completely dry but not taken off the pump. I ran the pump without any fluid in it to blow out what was in it. Then I put all back together again. I had to take the cylinder lines off the pump end to pump out the fluid because they will not come off the cylinders themselves without stripping or breaking. Then I refilled and cycled it up and down several times.
Jerry

 

[jjlcfs]

Re: Volvo power tilt & trim

I wanted to let you know that you were right about draining the system completely. I got some additional information from a dealer who said that you normally have to drain it several times. I drained the system completely, 2 more times and the fluid no longer changes color when moving the out drive. Thanks for your help.
Jerry