Which manual should I use for my tilt/trim system? And what liquid?

[babikov]

Hi,

I want to bleed and flush the trim/tilt system with new liquid (I discussed the problem of milky liquid on another thread) and I want to consult the manual, but I am not sure which one is correct for my boat.

The engine is 1993 4.3LX/V6 Alpha One Thunderbolt Ignition, serial number OF0244564. The transom is OF058634. The drive is OD886515.

From reading other threads I understand that a 1993 outdrive must be Generation II, but on my unit I see only ?Alpha One?. Could it be that an older lower unit (or just a part of it) was installed by one of the previous owners? Should this matter for the tilt/trim system? I guess not, but would like to know opinion of others. Please, suggest.

Another question that I hope to find in the manual is: what liquid to use in tilt/trim? I asked this question one (younger) mechanic and he said that an ATF liquid should be used, while his boss (older person) said to use straight SAE-30 motor oil. I also have a short pamphlet that I got with the boat (which, actually, doesn?t look like the right one for this boat) and it says that the SAE 10W-30 can be used if the tilt/trim liquid is not available. So, any comments on this inconsistency?? (I don?t want to use the tilt/trim liquid for flushing simply because it is so expensive. Or should I?)

Thanks!

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Which manual should I use for my tilt/trim system? And what liquid?

You need to use whatever the pump manufacturer recommends, or whatever other owners have said works for them depending on the specific pump model.

For example, my Mercruiser pump can use the mercruiser trim fluid, or 5-20W motor oil, or other thin oil. I've had 10W-30 in it and it worked but was too thick (hard on the pump). Supposedly some people use ATF fluid but I don't think that would work in my pump, probably it would affect the seals or similar, but I've heard other folks say they use ATF without problems. They may have different pumps, or not...

I'd recommend you flush with the same fluid you use permanently, otherwise you end up with a mix of fluid in there...

Erik

 

[babikov]

Re: Which manual should I use for my tilt/trim system? And what liquid?

Erikgreen,

There is a label on the tilt/trim motor/pump, but it is impossible to read the info (due to age, oil and water). This is why I am trying to get the right manual for it. On the side of the motor I can read "SAE J1171 MARINE" and its top is labeled with "A2165 OP". That is all the info I have.

So, is it possible to determine, from this information, what is the right manual number, and what is the right liquid type?

Thanks.

 

[billbayliner]

Re: Which manual should I use for my tilt/trim system? And what liquid?

Use manual 14
Mercruiser Service Manual #14 Alpha I Gen II Outdrives 1991 to present
http://www.4shared.com/file/1147536...Alpha_I_Gen_II_Outdrives_1991_to_present.html

If it is milky then water got into the cylinders. Need to replace the seals to solve the issue or water will intrude once again.

Hope this helps.

Bill

 

[babikov]

Re: Which manual should I use for my tilt/trim system? And what liquid?

Bill,

Thanks for your reply. I have a question about this. I do not see any oil leaking out of cylinders. Oil is under pressure and if it is not leaking the seals must be good. No? So, how the water, without any external pressure, can get into cylinders? I want to understand how this happens.

And how those seals you mention look like? Are they shown in the manual? What page? Cylinders are covered on Pages 5B-7, 5B-8, but I can?t find any "seals". Is there another name for this part? O-rings?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Which manual should I use for my tilt/trim system? And what liquid?

Experience says that water does leak into the cylinders, although your question is valid.

There is a control valve on the PTT system to keep the OD from tilting down under pressure. Perhaps this allows some vacuum to be introduced into the PTT cylinders,which sucks the water in.

Normally your system would use auto trans fluid. However, if you use 5W-30 motor oil, it's slightly thicker viscosity may help keep the water out. I never fixed the leak I had but the motor oil helped a bit. I would suck out the water contaminated oil once a year or so, and refill with clean oil.