I have a 1990 Seaswirl equipped with a OMC 3.0 engine and a Cobra 400 sterndrive. The other owner of this boat and I went to take it out for a test run the other day and just before we were about to put it in the water, my buddy tested the tilt/trim and it was not functioning. A local marina that has worked on the boat in the past was within a half a mile of where we were so we just towed it over there. They suggested that someone stand on the drive while the other tried to get it to lower. That didn't work so we left it with them about 3 days ago. We spoke with them again today and they hadn't a choice to look at it yet so we picked it up so we could see if we could see anything obvious. The motor was/is working (you hear it on both the up and down). I just went out to give the pump a visual inspection and mine has a red plastic screw tab in the center of the pump and a reset switch on the right side of it. I kinda figured the red screw tab was where you check/added fluid so I unscrewed it. As soon as I started, air started to come out. I unscrewed it all the way and then re-inserted it. I couldn't see any fluid in it, but I don't know how to check it either. The drive is now moving up and down, but doesn't sound as it did in the past. I don't have a manual yet as we just go this boat, but I can see one in the future. I say all of that to ask if someone can tell me how to properly check the fluid level in the pump,how to bleed the system and what type of fluid does the pump use? I'm assuming some sort of hydraulic fluid, but I honestly don't konw. As you can tell I know jack about boats. And, any thoughts on what caused this problem in the first place? Any help is truly appreciated.
