2004 Optimax 150, Trim down sounds overloaded?

S

Slick Rick

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
33
I think I'm having a issue with the trim on my 2004 Mercury Optimax 150.

* Trims and Tilts up perfect.
* Tilts down to trim rams just fine.
* Once into the trim ram it sounds stressed and by the time it has about 1" left it screams like it bottomed out.

The boat is new to me... and I've only had it out a few times. I did not notice this the first time out.

I'm working on uploading a video to help describe the sounds I'm talking about, but if anybody has any suggestions now, I would like to hear it.

Trim rods tips are greased... I ran through the cycle all the way up and down a few times pausing between each run with no improvement. I'm not sure how to properly check the oil level, but I'll try and look that up now.

I just want to check all the obvious things before a pay the shop to do it for me.

Any help is greatly appreciated,
Rick
 
A

aussieflash

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 5, 2011
Messages
1,004
Re: 2004 Optimax 150, Trim down sounds overloaded?

Could be a few things,but probably air in the system which needs to be bled.
Tilt to full up and lock,slowly open fill screw and fill with ATF,close lid then tilt up and down a few times to bleed,check level and repeat if more fluid needed.
Only open fill screw when engine is in full up position.
 
S

Slick Rick

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
33
Re: 2004 Optimax 150, Trim down sounds overloaded?

I did check the oil... looks clean with no contaminates. I cannot lower my bow enough to get the the unit upright so a little oil comes out when I remove the plug (No visual air bubbles in the little oil I could see)

Both the trim end balls are free moving and greased. I also noticed that when I get down to about 3/8 trim the noise spikes as if I hit bottom but will continue to move to about 1/4 trim then seems to have hit bottom. If I trim up just a bit from 1/4 and go back down, I can get the trim completely down. There also seems to be a small jump at about that same point going up but no strange sound.

My common mind is telling me that I have trapped air somehow. I have been trimming all the way up continuously... pausing at the top for 20-30 seconds. Then coming down in 2-3 second burst passing for the same till I hit bottom. Repeat. Cap is on the whole time and I have not noticed a change in fluid level during this. It is very hard to gauge the oil level through that little hole though. I'm going to guess this is the wrong way to do it?

Thanks for your help.
-Rick
 
Texasmark

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,780
Re: 2004 Optimax 150, Trim down sounds overloaded?

I guess, if the problem remains at the same spot, you might divide and conquer. Run the tilt all the way up and block the engine up. Remove the trim piston from the engine and run it up and down a few times to see if it runs smooth or not. If not, and if the irregularity seems to move around, then with it disconnected, just run it back and forth and get the air out. If smooth then there is something binding with your engine/mounting bracket.

On fluid type, I know not what you have in your engine. Mine, different hp, uses Merc tt fluid which is clear and my manual says put in what's in there. If red put in ATF and if clear put in Merc tt fluid.

HTH,
Mark
 
W

wackyrmike

Recruit
Joined
Aug 17, 2012
Messages
1
Re: 2004 Optimax 150, Trim down sounds overloaded?

Slick Rick, did you ever figure out what the problem was? The same thing is happening to me with an 09 Optimax.

Mike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top