What happens if you hit something, and your motor has power tilt/trim?

[Johnshan1]

On all my other engines we didnt have power tilt/trim, so if you ever hit something while going along the engine would come up and out of the water.<br /><br />Now that I have a 2004 Tohatsu 40 hp engine with power tilt/trim, what would happen if I hit something? I dont see how it could swing up, what is there to do?<br /><br />-John

 

[45_red]

Re: What happens if you hit something, and your motor has power tilt/trim?

Both Nissan and Tohatsu have websites with downloadable owners manuals, i believe you can get some info there.The hydraulic system has a feature that allows the outdrive to kick up and return.It does work,or at least it did for me when I hit a submerged log at about 20 knots.

 

[radsrh]

Re: What happens if you hit something, and your motor has power tilt/trim?

^

 

[oregonducker]

Re: What happens if you hit something, and your motor has power tilt/trim?

John,<br />I have the same motor just a 2002 version. I've had the same concerns since I'm in shallow water a lot. All I've hit so far has been sand bars. The motor has not come up upon impact but the hydraulics do make a heck of a noise unil you can get stopped. My motor has a manual hydraulic release on the side. It's there so you can raise/lower the motor if your battery is dead but mine doesn't work right. When I release the hydraulics the motor will come down on it's own but I cannot raise it by hand. My guess is that something was damaged in there from running into sand bars. Electrically it still works fine. If you have the manual release on yours and boat where you think striking objects will be a problem you could just leave it released and just take it easy when you're in reverse. Of course, then you won't have the handy trim capabilities.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: What happens if you hit something, and your motor has power tilt/trim?

Thanks for the replys, I too have that little release screw on the side of the engine, but I like the tilt/trim too much to diasble it, I dont run in skinny water enough to warrant that.<br /><br />If you were to hit something at speed you would rip the engine right off the boat then I suppose? Scary stuff....<br /><br />-John

 

[45_red]

Re: What happens if you hit something, and your motor has power tilt/trim?

The hydraulic system has spring loaded relief valves that should prevent catastrophic damage.

 

[Salmon Tub]

Re: What happens if you hit something, and your motor has power tilt/trim?

If the engine is all the way down, and you open the manual release valve, it will come up by hand, but only by the hand of Hercules. Well, at least the first few degrees, then it gets easier. It is the law of Leverage, and you have very little at the lowest position. Once you get it started, then it gets easier. I read the other post by Ducker, and perhaps your cylinder is binding a bit. Are you sure it was a dead battery?

 

[oregonducker]

Re: What happens if you hit something, and your motor has power tilt/trim?

Salmon,<br />The battery was completely disconnected at the time because we'd had a little mishap. The battery got shorted to the aluminum hull for a few seconds but we weren't sure at the time what had happened. Just saw smoke and hot smells. Tried to do it on the trailer too but couldn't. I never pulled really really hard so I think I'll try it again soon.