Old mercruiser 165 trim question

[Butch Ammon]

Good afternoon...<br /><br />I am a newcomer to this forum (actually, I drifted over here from the old "rec.boats" newsgroup). This is a really nice forum and I like the way it's laid out.<br /><br />Anyway, I have a 1975 Sea Star, 17' trihull I/O with the Mercruiser 165hp I/O. It runs great after all these years and is built like a tank. It was my dad's old boat, which I now use and slowly am restoring it.<br /><br />I have a question regarding adjusting the trim sensor and gauge. The hydraulic trim works fine without any problems, but the gauge is off a little (i.e. when you lower the stern drive all the way down, the gauge needle is way off the markers). How do you "bleed" a hydraulic trim sensor without making a mess?<br /><br />Thank you! To see my boat engine and my boat, click here:<br /><br /> http://members.aol.com/ammonc/165engine.jpg <br /> http://members.aol.com/ammonc/Ammonboat.jpg <br /><br />Butch Ammon<br />Richmond, VA

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Old mercruiser 165 trim question

On the side of the outdrive is a sender - one on each side actually. One is a limit switch, and the other is for the gauge. The good news is there is no bleeding that needs to be done! Here is a link to show how to adjust the sender:<br /> adjustment

 

[Butch Ammon]

Re: Old mercruiser 165 trim question

Er, uh, thanks, but.... I don't have trim senders/sensors on the outdrive. My 165hp sterndrive is the old 1975 mercruiser I style with the 3 button trim switch on the dash.<br /><br />Butch Ammon

 

[Charger183]

Re: Old mercruiser 165 trim question

Hi Butch: I have the same set-up and year in my boat (1975 Crestliner Norseman). My gauge was intermittent when I first got the boat but got better after a season of use. The job of replacing the sender is major and not one most non-trained owners should attempt. The guage is almost never the problem. Have you tried to run the trim all the way up and down several times to see if there is any change in the readout; even a little one? If there is than use may bring the guage back to life like mine did.

 

[Butch Ammon]

Re: Old mercruiser 165 trim question

{{Have you tried to run the trim all the way up and down several times to see if there is any change in the readout}}<br /><br />Hello... Yes, well, I ran the trim up and down maybe two-three times, that's all.<br /><br />See, last year, I *just barely* tagged a tree stump while going slow in shallow water. Nothing happend to the prop or skeg. But the stern drive kicked up a bit and went back down as usual. Ever since, the trim gauge has been off a bit. The boat, the engine, the sterndrive, ...everything, still runs great.<br /><br />Thanks for the reply.<br /><br />Butch