Bouncing E-Tecs

[Fireman431]

Twin 200HP E-Tecs. When tilting down from the raised position (or basically anything above the upper trim limit), the motors bounce like crazy. All that stops when it hits the upper trim limit. It then trims smoothly to the lowest position. Any ideas why they bounce or how to stop it?

 

[dingbat]

Sounds like their low on fluid and or need bled

 

[ahicks]

I have a 90 Honda doing the same thing. It's air in the system somewhere, and mine is full. It's been doing it for a couple of seasons now, so it's nothing that going to bleed or purge out on it's own. I'm proably going to have to pull the darn thing down. No easy project on this Honda anyway....

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Quite often created by the return or suction line look at all lines and fittings ( common on any hydraulic system) often you may see fluid sweating in an area. If you have a mighty vac brake bleeder or oil evacuator you could try putting the reservoir into a vacuum this pulls bubbles from the system.

 

[dingbat]

Quite often created by the return or suction line look at all lines and fittings ( common on any hydraulic system) often you may see fluid sweating in an area. If you have a mighty vac brake bleeder or oil evacuator you could try putting the reservoir into a vacuum this pulls bubbles from the system.

Self bleeding system. People get confused with the oil level because you check the fluid in the up position.

If it will not self-bleed you have a bad seal or check valve in one of the cylinders.

 

[ahicks]

I would think a bad seal somewhere would show as either an external leak somewhere, or maybe as wimpy action while lifting. In my case, you would never know anything was wrong on the way up.

Don't remember if I checked the fluid level when up or down. Will have to check into that further. That would be just like something I would do though - checking with the arms collapsed. Fingers crossed....

 

[Fireman431]

Thanks for the thoughts. I'll dig into it and check seals.

 

[flyingscott]

Are they salt water motors?

 

[racerone]

Common to both motors would eliminate a hydraulic issue I would think ?------I would look at the bushings on the tilt tubes.

 

[ahicks]

Further food for thought-
Mine has seen salt water, but not frequently. It's pretty clean inside and out. VERY little corrosion. It's been in Michigan fresh water only for the last 3 years now.

AND

If I release the emergency bleed down screw at the bottom of the cylinder, the engine will drop on it's own with just gravity. No evidence of any binding whatsoever.

The way the motor literally bounces on the way down, I'd be really surprised if there's not some air trapped in it somewhere. I bought the motor 5 years ago from a dealer on an "as-is/where-is" basis. I was thinking the engine may have spent some time on it's side - improperly stored in other words, allowing air where it shouldn't be at that point.