1982 OMC 3.8 Stern drive tilt problem

Tryton

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2011
Messages
7
Got deckboat this week with the 3.8 OMC in it. Everything worked. We took it out for the first time today and I lowered the outdrive once we were launched. I had to pick my wife up at the dock so I had to raise the outdrive up because the water is shallower. Lowered it back down and went out for a while. When we came back in, the outdrive would not raise. If I used the trim it sounded like it was doing something and the trim gauge would move but the tilt will not work. I managed to get it on the trailer without doing any damage and was able to push the outdrive up manually so we could get home but I don't know what the problem is. When I push the up and down buttons on the trim I can hear a clicking but the outdrive does not move up and down. The previous owner replaced the trim motor this year and it looks brand new. Is there a fuse or a relay that I could have blown? This is an older boat and there has been some rewiring done also but everything did work when we left today and when we got on the water. Thanks.
 

Manipulator

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 11, 2005
Messages
743
Re: 1982 OMC 3.8 Stern drive tilt problem

Sounds like the solenoids are doing their job. I know on mine it would do this from time to time and if someone was out back and gave it a little nudge it would kick in. I greased the tilt housing gear and the half moon gear with OMC blue grease. I never had a problem since. If the fuse was blown the solenoids probably wouldn't click. That is probably what you are hearing (solenoids clicking). Sounds like you're getting juice to the tilt motor. Try greasing it. If that does not work then you can get more involved with checking the clutch pack in the tilt housing and running some electrical tests, testing the motor etc....
 

Tryton

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2011
Messages
7
Re: 1982 OMC 3.8 Stern drive tilt problem

Thanks for the reply. From what I've read this seems common on these. It's possible I messed up the tilt motor I suppose. If it was the clutch pack, the outdrive wouldn't stay in the up position, would it?
 

astuckey

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Sep 4, 2011
Messages
83
Re: 1982 OMC 3.8 Stern drive tilt problem

Oh sorry i accedenty posted in the wrong thred. :facepalm:
 
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