1980 Evinrude trims up not down

[twink90]

We just bought a boat from TX and brought it up to MO where we live. We got it cheap from family and they said it ran last time they used it. It was used on the ocean so saltwater has done major damage to the fiberglass hull but the engine is our concern. When we try to trim the motor it went up but won't come down. It makes a noise but won't budge. We wondered if it needs fluid? If so how do we check it, what do we use and how do we do it.

This is our first boat, and we have no clue what we are doing here. So any information on what we need to replace or fix on engine would be awsome. The motor is an 85HP Evinrude and its on a 1980 Terry Bass boat 16ft fiberglass.
We bought the manual for the motor but its not very specific. It covers all the evinrudes and is very confusing to a first time boat owner.

I was told to replace impeller? Change oil or lube? We are willing to learn and do the work, we just don't know where to start. Without being able to drop the motor, we can't even see if it will start. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Books to buy, articles to read, or anything that can assist us in cleaning up the boat, and getting it ready for the water.
Thanks so much
Becky

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1980 Evinrude trims up not down

What you will need is a factory service manual that covers only the V4 motors for your model year: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1980...20509048299QQptZMotorsQ5fManualsQ5fLiterature

To add fluid to the PT&T you need to raise the motor and support it with the trail lock, then remove the slotted fill plug from the reservoir.

Fill until the fluid runs out, then replace the cap, release the trail lock and cycle the engine up and down several times, helping the motor to move as needed.

Repeat the entire process until no more fluid can be added.

Use OMC/BRP Power Trim/Tilt and Power Steering Fluid or GM Dextron ATF

 

[DJ]

Re: 1980 Evinrude trims up not down

Good advice so far.

One question. Is the trailering lock engaged? Look for a lever/bracket flipped down that is holding the engine up. It would be on the right side, standing behind the engine, and it would rest on the top of the mounting bracket.

Yes, do all of the stuff you mentioned.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: 1980 Evinrude trims up not down

I have a 1994 115 evinrude that the t/n/t switch on throttle had come loose inside the handle. I took it apart and crammed a shim behind it-works fine

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1980 Evinrude trims up not down

If you can't loate the factory manual on ebay you can get a new one at
www.outboardbooks.com
for $50.

Write down your engine model number,
call iBoats 800 number, they will help you order the correct parts.

I'd do a thorough tuneup and work thru.
Takes all day but you'll know its good after all this.

Definately do the water pump .

buy Carb rebuild kits, $20 ea ,
Carbs must be taken apart to clean jets out, use new seals (in the kit).

buy some seals for the gear oil drain screws, only $1 ea.

New fuel filter.

Install a water seperator between tank and engine.
New Champion sparkplugs.
Pint of seafoam, decarb engine with it.

Buy a compression guage at autozone ($30) and test ea cyl, write the numbers down in your manual for future reference.

Flush the gas tank out of all old fuel, check for water with a glass.
Add a bit of fuel additive to every tank to keep carbs and system clean.
I use startron or whatever else is closest.

 

[twink90]

Re: 1980 Evinrude trims up not down

Thank you all for the replies! We have so much to do on the boat and motor we are overwhelmed. We want to learn how to properly care for both, but it seems like so much information. We are working on the trim tonight. We just didn't have time last week. I will let you know if it works. Trim went up smooth so we are hoping its dry and the fluid will fix it.

We have tried to locate a manual on the boat so we can get info on the wiring, livewell, and where everything is located. Is there a basic boat owner book that tells you these things. The knobs, switches and buttons in the front of boat are rusted. The saltwater really put a hurting on anything metal on the interior of the boat.

Below windshield it says: Terry Designed Hand Crafted Hull
*Special Edition LONGHORN

Title says 1980 Terry Bass Boat
1979 Evinrude 85 HP

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1980 Evinrude trims up not down

No you just have to sort the wiring and dash switches out yourself, it takes a while to go through the systems.
Don't use regular elec wire, marine wire is tinned.

 

[twink90]

Re: 1980 Evinrude trims up not down

Well we found the problem. I took a picture of it to show everyone what the problem is. Yep we needed fluid in the trim, but it does no good. We found a leak underneath it. I am sure this has a name, but I will try a basic search to find this metal pipe. The fluid just drips out of the line that connects it. Good news is I guess the trim motor is working, its just keeps running out of fluid.

One more question, because we have so many items to purchase for the motor, do you have suggestions on where to buy. There are so many places online to buy parts how do you know who to choose. Price is a big issue since we are doing a complete tune-up on entire motor. Plus the things that just need replaced from wear & tear.

 

[twink90]

Re: 1980 Evinrude trims up not down

Nope thats not it. Still won't trim down unless you manually release it. Boat shop suggested I sit on lower unit as husband tries to lower it. Well it goes down very, very, very slow and my *** can't take it. At least I entertained my old man for a couple minutes. It Raises no problem, but still no down. Fluid is good now, and that didn't make any difference.

You can hear it engage to lower, but it slowly whines and motor goes nowhere.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1980 Evinrude trims up not down

The original wiring is probably still in place. It uses a solenoid to raise the motor so that the battery power is very close and carried through the solenoid to the trim motor.

When lowering the motor, there is no solenoid so that the battery power must run all the way to the helm, through the switch and back to the trim motor. If there is any weakness in the wiring, you won't get full power to the trim motor.

You could install a second solenoid to lower the motor, or run new wire for the switch.

For the wiring diagram, click the thumbnail.

BTW, unles the tubing is actually broken, you should be able to stop the leaking by tightening the compression fittings a little. You may need new o-rings, though.

 

[twink90]

Re: 1980 Evinrude trims up not down

Yep we replaced the Orings and got it to stop leaking. My brother thought maybe their was so much air from it leaking that its "air/vapor locked" We can't seem to find a way to bleed the air from the hydrolics. When I did a search some said you could bleed air out of line yet others said that evinrudes are self bleeding. How do you know what is true and what is not. Everyone says to raise and lower multiple times to get air out. Problem is we can't lower the unit unless we use release valve.

Anyone ever heard of that? We did put quite a bit of fluid in the pump, and heard air escape 1 time when we checked fluid. The boat set for months in TX then came up to MO where it sat for 3 more months before weather broke and we could work on it. We assume the fluid level may have been extremely low.

 

[twink90]

Trim works now!!

Trim works now!!

I just wanted to let you all know we did fix the trim. The tilt cylinders were locked up from it being hauled from Tx to MO. We noticed the cylinders were fully extended, and they did not have a transom saver. Turns out a post on here http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=98243 from Joe Reeves was the answer!

We removed the check valve, and shuttle valve, hit the other valve check with a punch and hammer. A couple good taps and pressure released, frothy fluid came out. Refilled fluid and our motor now goes UP and DOWN..
First time boat owners here, and we did it. Thank you all so much.

One quick question, there were not springs on either side of shuttle valve like Joe's thread stated. We noticed the cylinders get hung up about half way in, then go all the way in. Should we buy the springs and insert them ourselves, and could that cause the tilt to hang up.

Thanks and we are so happy we figured this out and worked through our first issue with our boat.

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1980 Evinrude trims up not down

Joe Reeves is da MAN with outboards !