AQ 170 / penta 270 tilt weak

[VFDfireman]

Hey all,

My first time here, and the past Feb. I bought a ~78 21' Glastron with a Aq 170 inboard and a 270 out drive. I bought it as a project boat for $600 with trailer.

The boat is in great shape for the age, all it really needs is carpet and seats refinished and the gel coat cleaned up, other wise it is a rock solid boat and the motor is too.

However, I'm chasing electrical gremlins on the tilt system. I can only get it to go up or down with out a load on the motor (i.e. someone lifting the lower unit). When under load I'm only getting a click from the lift motor when operated by a switch in either direction.

What are the common issues with this unit? Are rebuild kits available? I think it sounds like the motor is weak or shot, any thoughts? Areas that I should be checking?

Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: AQ 170 / penta 270 tilt weak

Sounds like low voltage. Is your battery charged up?

 

[VFDfireman]

Re: AQ 170 / penta 270 tilt weak

Brand new battery. It starts the motor right up, but I have not verified the voltage of the battery or the amount that is being delivered past the relays.

The voltage across the relay should be 12V right? Is it possible that the contacts in the relays are poor? When the motor goes, do they typically just fail?

The boat sat for almost 2 years with out use. I suppose any thing is possible.

The wires on top of the lift unit look like they got awful hot at one point in time. The appears to be a thermo resistor in line with the system.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: AQ 170 / penta 270 tilt weak

I have a 280 outdrive but I think the lift is the same as the 270. My motor went bad and I had a terrible time finding a motor. When I did find one, the price was way out of my budget. I eventually ended up buying a newer style motor which was not compatable with the wiring of the relays. I had to rework the relay system to get it to work. However I accomplished the job and it works great. Keep in mind that the lift system will not work while you are under power in the water. They don't trim like a Mercruiser does. Its either in trailer position or down and locked. Good Luck........SS

 

[VFDfireman]

Re: AQ 170 / penta 270 tilt weak

I think I may have zero'ed in on the problem.

I recently backed the boat in the water to operate them motor. When I pulled the boat back out I found out that the drive want's to lift on it's own when the ignition is turned on. I believe that I have a relay that is stuck closed and thus is creating my problem.

Will know more in a day.