1992 Merc Alpha I Gen I Water in Trim Reservoir

B

bscheper

Seaman
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Jun 17, 2002
Messages
59
For years I have had milky oil in my trim reservoir. In addition I have oil on the carpet around my trim pump. So my guess is that water is coming in but oil is not going out. The trim works fine but the lower unit does seem to drop from the trim position over a long period of time but not from the tilt position. To date I empty the reservior twice a year and replace but I am now ready to address the problem. Where should I start? Replace the trim cyliners? Any thoughs on the SEI trim cyliners?

Any help is appreciated!! Just preparing for winter projects since the boat is put up in this part of the country.

Brad
 
T

TilliamWe

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6,579
Re: 1992 Merc Alpha I Gen I Water in Trim Reservoir

Slow down Brad. No need to replace them! All you need to do is rebuild them. $21for a kit, a special spanner wrench (or a bench vise in a pinch), and about 1 hour of your time, you'll have them resealed and the oil flushed, and all your problems will be gone.
 
B

bscheper

Seaman
Joined
Jun 17, 2002
Messages
59
Re: 1992 Merc Alpha I Gen I Water in Trim Reservoir

Thanks for the info! A big help.
 
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bscheper

Seaman
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Jun 17, 2002
Messages
59
Re: 1992 Merc Alpha I Gen I Water in Trim Reservoir

Just to make sure before I go through the process of replacing seals......are there any other ways for water to get into the trim system that I should look at first? I did see some posts on the pin hole in the reservoir cap but I ruled that out because I think I would need to be getting more water in than that to have a significant amount of oil and water mess on the carpet near my pump.
 
T

TilliamWe

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Re: 1992 Merc Alpha I Gen I Water in Trim Reservoir

The pinhole in the cap would be one way, but the odds would be like the planets aligning and a solar eclipse and a lunar eclispe all at the same time. :)
The hoses on the trim cylinders are the only other realistic place for water to enter the power trim system. And they are stainless steel, and have flare fittings on them, they don't leak often.
It's the seals in the cylinders.
 
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