Merc 85 Manual Tilt Stuck UP

[timmeraw]

I have a late 70's Merc 85 that works great. I got a new trailer that would allow me to utilize a transom-saver. When I manually lifted the motor up...past the point where I usually swing the little locking arm down to hold it up) and it is now STUCK all the way up. Though it is getting dark, I cannot see what is locking it up there and cannot bring it down.
Again...this is a Manual tilt motor with no power assist.

There has to be a way to put it down? Are the assist cylanders locked up or something?

Thanks and I know I will get a silly stupid fix replay soon...at least I hope so

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Merc 85 Manual Tilt Stuck UP

A lot of times the internal connection of those two "Dog-eared" tilt locks rust away. This allows the dog ears to jam up the transom bracket. Lift the motor and push both the dog ears flat to the triple clamp, and see if she goes down.

 

[timmeraw]

Re: Merc 85 Manual Tilt Stuck UP

Thanks but unfortunately I can't move it either any more up or down. It is just frozen at top. My transom is a bit forgiving as it is so I certainly cannot put much pressure on it lifting up or down on this engine. What the heck is going on?

Update....looks it is the left lift-assist tube that is stuck...right one is moving a little. Maybe I'll try some oil down it or something? There is nothing to do with the dog ears or neutral rev lock....

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Merc 85 Manual Tilt Stuck UP

Why not remove the left shock absorber? It sounds defective anyway.

 

[timmeraw]

Re: Merc 85 Manual Tilt Stuck UP

Well I may need to remove one or both of them but I cannot understand how they could go bad just by lifting the motor to the top position. I have been putting it up and down all summer...just not up all the way like I did attempting to install a new transom-saver I just acquired. There must be something locked that can be released?

I need to figure this out soon as I want to go boating this weekend.

 

[timmeraw]

Re: Merc 85 Manual Tilt Stuck UP

I finally got the motor down.....easy fix. I hooked it up to the car and headed for the Merc Dealer ...at the first stop light I looked and it had dropped down onto the hold up tabs. Very strange but all good now. I'll just have to remember not to lift it fully any more.