Alpha 1 Gen 2 trim issue

[rotorhead511]

I hope I’m in the right thread. I have an Alpha 1 Gen 2 that doesn’t like to trim down. After I get the boat going the force of the prop pushes it down all the way and then it’ll function find for the remained of the trip. After I dock and head out on another day it does the same thing. When it’s out of the water I have to apply pressure on the outdrive while someone pushes the trim down button.

The fluid level is correct and I have no problem trimming up ever. Just down, the first time.

Could this be a trim motor issue or a trim cylinder issue? I was thinking the down trim cylinder might need a rebuild.

Thoughts?

 

[alldodge]

Sounds like need to take the pump apart and clean it. There are check valves in it which may be clogging.

Your using either Merc trim fluid or 10W30 / 5W30 motor oil?

 

[kenny nunez]

One other thing to try is to remove the rear ram mounting pin then try rotating the rods on each ram to see if the packing gland is the cause. if that is the problem then they are easy to repair with the seal kits.

 

[rotorhead511]

Sounds like need to take the pump apart and clean it. There are check valves in it which may be clogging.

Your using either Merc trim fluid or 10W30 / 5W30 motor oil?

Thanks, yes on the 30 weight oil.

 

[jakwi]

I had essentially the same issue and I had it was my cylinders that needed to be rebuilt. As Kenny said it is a pretty easy job.

 

[harringtondav]

One other thing to try is to remove the rear ram mounting pin then try rotating the rods on each ram to see if the packing gland is the cause. if that is the problem then they are easy to repair with the seal kits.

Low lube in the reservoir, or more likely milky oil, will verify this. Oil leaks past the rod seal when trimming in keeping the drive up. When pushed in water can be sucked back in past the seals. This water is then pushed back into the reservoir when you trim up.

This should show itself with the boat out of the water. You should be able to see the oil leak from the ends of the cylinders when you try to trim down.

If you don't see oil leaking, or low/milky oil in the reservoir, it's likely a bad/dirty check valve like alldodge mentioned. These valves hold pressure on the return circuit and allow return oil back into the reservoir on the return side.

The right hand shuttle valve (No. 5 below) could be stuck back in the return position preventing down pressure from building, or the down pressure relief valve (No. 6) could be dirty/stuck open/bad preventing pressure from building.

 

[AShipShow]

I would do a rebuild even if its a pump issue... There could be debris in the system clogging the check valves/ports/etc...
It would be a good idea to flush the system and rebuild the cylinders anyways since the rebuild kits are pretty cheap..

As stated, its an easy job.. I have a video on it if you want to see how to do it...