Water in the power trim pump, where to start?

[DeepBlue2010]

While checking fluid levels for regular maintenance, I found a milk shake in the power trim pump. My outdrive is Bravo 3 and it was working perfect with no signs of troubles. I ordered seal kits for both cylinders and I am planning on rebuilding them just in case (if/when I can find/make this hard to find spanner wrench) my question is..

Is there any methodical way to know where the leak came from? Cylinders and hoses are the most likely places but how to make sure instead of just replacing everything.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Water in the power trim pump, where to start?

In order to find the leak you have to look closely at all the places where it can leak. I would do that before you get going on the seal kit replacement, because if one of the flarenut fitting hole threads has disintegrated on the trim cylinder housing, you will need/want to get a complete new cylinder.

the leaks can be tricky to find, so it takes a bit of looking and using a paper towel to see where you are finding fluid, etc.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Re: Water in the power trim pump, where to start?

Thanks for your fast reply. Since I hoping to be able to make it on the water this weekend, I am wondering if there is a procedure that I can follow that will help me better/faster troubleshoot the leak? For instance here is what I am thinking..

• Extend the arm all the way out.
• Connect the back and front threaded holes with one hose
• Compress the arm (using nylon strap clamps) in a bathtub full of water and see if the hose or the fitting will leak.

What I don?t know is the normal behavior of this hydraulic arm. If I leave it compressed overnight, will it normally leak or maintain pressure inside.

On the same token, I wonder if there is a fitting out there I can use to pressure test the hoses.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Water in the power trim pump, where to start?

You could just connect and pressurize the 2 feed lines with some flare couplers and a tee fitting, then go look & listen for the oil or the air.

Here is a pic of when I connected the lines together to isolate a leak on my trim system.

If you used 2 couplers and put a tee fitting in between, then maybe you could connect an air line to the system and pressurize it that way.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Re: Water in the power trim pump, where to start?

tpenfield, do you happen to remember the size and thread type of this coupler? I tried 1/4 and 1/8 with no luck.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Water in the power trim pump, where to start?

3/8" IIRC I just went to the automotive store and got a couple of sizes.