1992 Force Outboard Tilt and Trim not working

[jzang]

New to iboats. I have a 1992 trophy with a 150 hp outboard. I have had it for a few years now with no major problems, albiet some issues with the starter. I noticed this year as I was going through my pre water maintenance the the tilt and trim motor had gone bad. No problem had the local bayliner dealer replace the motor. No problems, the unit worked great. Yesterday as I headed down to go fishing, I attemped to lower my outboard into the water to start, I usually leave it tilted up during docking, and I could hear the motor running with no action. Needless to say I was left looking pretty dumb with 3 buddies waiting to fish. Any one have any experiances with this, does though unit have a manual release valve? I have never had to mess with this as there has never been any problems in the past and the unit was replaced new. I am wondering if the unit is faulty, or potentially there was a leak in a fitting that eventually drained the resevoir low enough, not quite sure of the quality of the dealers work. Like I said I hear the motor running fine, but tilt and trim cylinders do not actuate, I see no obvious signs of leakage past rod seals, relays seam functional.

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1992 Force Outboard Tilt and Trim not working

Well, since the motor is running, the obvious first thing to check is the fluid level.

Most of these units do not have a manual release. However, in an emergency, if yours has the screw in valves, if you take an allen wrench and unscrew the valve facing you, you will blow oil all over the place and the engine will drop

If the fluid level is OK, then while you actuate the motor, push down on the engine leg. Sometime as these units get older, the shuttle valve inside will stick in one positon and while the motor will run, no fluid will be pumped into the cylinders.

If that is the case, a thorough cleaning is in order---However, you are probably on borrowed time and a replacement or rebuilt pump might be the best and most logical solution.

 

[jzang]

Re: 1992 Force Outboard Tilt and Trim not working

Update:

Frank, went to check my fluid level and as I opened the fill port a massive amount of pressure released. Checked level and it was slightly below fill port maybe 1/8". I then checked the trim and the motor trimmed all the way down. Cycled motor to full tilt then wen to cycle back to full trim and motor actuated about half way then stuck. Repeated cycle up top before and motor was able to be fully trimmed. Left it at that. Could the system somehow have air trapped after working for a month solid no problems with a new pump and motor? Also noted that fluid appeared to look like automatic transmission fluid, looking at my force service manual it calls for automotive 10W-40 oil, is this correct?

Appreciate any help

 

[RRitt]

Re: 1992 Force Outboard Tilt and Trim not working

since it is 1992 i would expect to see an Eaton pump (square base, all four ports facing down). There is no manual release. Top off with system fully raised. If still not working then send in whole pump assembly for pressure testing and repair. Pump is NLA and the replacement (oildyne) is not as good as the original (Eaton) - not to mention being hyper-expensive.

ideal fluid for that system is hydraulic oil. regular motor oil and ATF contain additives that will cut life span of system in half.

 

[jzang]

Re: 1992 Force Outboard Tilt and Trim not working

I believe the eaton is what was replaced just recently the pump is now an oildyne. Have a mechanic looking at it today as it is now beyond me, will send it back for warranty if it is indeed the pump.

 

[jzang]

Re: 1992 Force Outboard Tilt and Trim not working

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Merc2/Force/75%20H.P.%20(1996)/0E138600%20THRU%200E202999/POWER%20TRIM%20AND%20TILT%20UNIT%20(DESIGN%20II)/parts.html[/URL]

The design of my replacement pump looks like the one attached in the link. It looks like this one has a manual release valve, is there a possibiltiy it may be a combination of something not setup correct on the valve along with the thinning of the atf used as it has been above 80 deg since it started acting up. The unit works off and on, how does that valve release, counter clockwise rotation or clockwise?

Thanks,

 

[RRitt]

Re: 1992 Force Outboard Tilt and Trim not working

so ... this is what your system used to look like?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330336787811

Scenario #1
It worked for a while then got stuck in the up position even though motor spins?
I have no idea what would cause that. I would have to see and test the unit firsthand.

_ OR _

Scenario #2
It worked for a while but now it won't lift even though motor spins?
Your system needs complete overhaul including full disassembly and flushing of new pump. Your trim ring has probably crystalized due to cheap ATF used in mercury factory. The debris is throughout your system. More often than not the debris from trim ring failure causes pump failure. Only sure fix is complete rebuild.

- If second situation is you -
Did you get your Eaton back from mechanic? Is it too late to get your money back on Oildyne? Eaton is 100% rebuildable and a better pump to boot. The system should have gone 30 years without any troubles other than needing new top seals before internal motor started rusting. Only reason it broke is because Mercury factory used cheap fluid.

 

[jzang]

Re: 1992 Force Outboard Tilt and Trim not working

Sounds like it may be scenario number #1 or 2. Sounds like crap in the system as it works intermittenly now, but when it does work it runs as smooth as it did when the new unit was installed. Will probobly have the unit taken out after the boat gets out of the water. Can I use the manual release valve located on the unit to tilt the motor up to bring it out of the water and trailer?