115 Mariner trim pump

Sonof3m2

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Nov 1, 2012
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Ok so over the weekend i was replacing my old trim pump with a brand new pump. Before installation i hooked up the new pump and it seemed to be working fine. After installation the pump worked for a little bit, then a fuse blew, relays got hot, and then the pump went dead. My question is should i have done something different? All i did was replace the pumps and assumed it was going to work. I am not sure what happened. I paid $150 for the pump/motor from rareelectrical.com. Not sure if the motor was just bad or if this from my doing? Anyway i am in the process of returning the motor for a new one. I just wanted to get some feedback as to other things i need to so this issue dosent happen again. Thanks!
 

Bondo

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Re: 115 Mariner trim pump

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.. I suppose, ya coulda wired it wrong, Donno...

They're pretty simple, 'n it shouldn't have quit for no reason...
The gettin' Hot thing, leads me to think it coulda been wired wrong...
 

Sonof3m2

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Nov 1, 2012
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Re: 115 Mariner trim pump

Ok thanks! I will be sure make sure everything is hooked up correctly. I was for sure it was but i could be mistaken.
 

RRitt

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Mar 30, 2006
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3,319
Re: 115 Mariner trim pump

which system do you have? various years and types of 115HP had multiple systems installed. Single ram? triple? gooseneck filler?

a small picture never hurts.
 

Sonof3m2

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Re: 115 Mariner trim pump

Its a 1990 mariner 115. Serial # 0C289097. I am using my phone so i cant upload a pic (at least i dont think i can). I can log back on later to my computer and upload one. Thanks!
 

RRitt

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Mar 30, 2006
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Re: 115 Mariner trim pump

just lift the engine and look at it. it will have either one tall hydraulic cylinder with a motor bolted onto the side or it will have one tall cylinder with two shorter ones on both sides and the motor set back against transom. they are known as either single ram or three ram systems.
 

Sonof3m2

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Nov 1, 2012
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Re: 115 Mariner trim pump

Thank you for the explanation. i appologize i am not familiar with all the terminology just yet. this is my first marry go round if you know what i mean. It is a 3 ram.
 

Sonof3m2

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Re: 115 Mariner trim pump

I feel like the new pump was kind of cheap. By the way the wiring was it looked cheaply made. Any suggestion on a decent after market pump that wont break the bank? I sent that other one back to the company for it to be replaced but now i am thinking i want a refund instead and then i will buy a different pump. Thanks!!
 

RRitt

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Joined
Mar 30, 2006
Messages
3,319
Re: 115 Mariner trim pump

I feel like the new pump was kind of cheap. By the way the wiring was it looked cheaply made. Any suggestion on a decent after market pump that wont break the bank? I sent that other one back to the company for it to be replaced but now i am thinking i want a refund instead and then i will buy a different pump. Thanks!!

it has been my experience that 1990 US made motors last about 17-23 years, 2000 US made trim motors last about 12-14, and chinese trim motors last about 5-8 years. For a lot of older boats 5 years is more than adequate. The price of chinese is cheap enough also that you can view them as disposable and hope for future quality improvements. In general chinese motors are a good value but not the most durable product.

My experience with chinese hydraulics is poor. the metal is a lower grade of aluminum and the rubber is cheap. I don't see a chinese pump going more than 5 years. A good US pump will go 20-25 years maybe more if you do a meticulous rebuild. The bigger an engine, then the more back pressure the prop puts on a trim system. I think on big engines, the chinese metal grades might not be up to task. Your 115HP would not be considered a big engine for 3ram trim.

hot wire the motor to a battery and see if it works. then re-install, fill with fluid, and hot wire it again. if you are having too much trouble then consider assembling and testing trim on a workbench.
 

Sonof3m2

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Nov 1, 2012
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16
Re: 115 Mariner trim pump

Thanks for the info! I plan on keeping the boat for awhile and i dont want to deal with this issue again in 5 years. That new motor i bought was made in china and it looked to be very cheaply made. I am going to just purchase a good motor.
 
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