Milky white trim fluid in resevior

[EricT22]

Checking fluids today and i thought the trim resevoir was empty at first glance so i popped the top and it was full but just white milky fluid. Boat is new to me so not sure how long its been like that. Where do i go from here as far a removing the fluid and finding the issue? 88 sea ray stern drive w/4.3 Merc

 

[tpenfield]

Most likely a leak at the trim cylinders. With the boat out of the water, operate the trim up and down a bunch of times and look all over the trim cylinders for a leak, particularly at the fittings where the lines connect.

 

[EricT22]

Ok I’ll give that a try today. How do I go about getting the old fluid out of the reservoir? Can I use a bleeder pump to just vac it out and add new?

 

[Bondo]

Ok I’ll give that a try today. How do I go about getting the old fluid out of the reservoir? Can I use a bleeder pump to just vac it out and add new?

Ayuh,...... That'll work, but may take a few times of suckin' out the nasty, refillin', cyclin', 'n suckin' out the nasty, refillin', 'n cyclin',....

 

[EricT22]

Is there an easier way to get it out?

 

[tpenfield]

The problem will be purging the lines and the trim cylinders. So you will have to do a bit of fill and purge anyway.

 

[EricT22]

So I tested and tested today by raising the trim and lowering and I don’t see any leaks whatsoever. Next step to check?

 

[EricT22]

Just to be clear I checked both lines going in on both cylinders and the seals as well