OMC outdrive raises while stored in down position

[wsparadise]

I have an OMC Cobra outdrive and when I store the boat I lower the outdrive to just touch the ground to take the pressure off the hydraulic system. After a week or so the outdrive actually raises a little (about 3 inches measured at the skeg). This seems odd. Trim and tilt work fine otherwise. Can anyone comment? Thanks in advance.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: OMC outdrive raises while stored in down position

Just a guess that you park in sand or on grass.Do you have to crank the tongue jack to put the trailer on your vehicle the next time you tow it?Sounds like the jack is sinking into the ground.

DHP

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: OMC outdrive raises while stored in down position

That boat is HAUNTED! ! ! Maybe you got kids that like to play boating. :=

 

[wsparadise]

Re: OMC outdrive raises while stored in down position

Thanks Commander, I thought of that first but the toungue is on a 4x4 whichs rests on concrete. I also put a bungie cord around the jack handle to ensure it was not moving. No result.... real wierd huh?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: OMC outdrive raises while stored in down position

sounds like tilting down puts pressure on a valve or seal that leaks,allowing the drive to raise,then looses pressure,and it stops just a bit up.

Since the system works well otherwise,let's hope we don't have to actually fix this problem.And can live with it.

DHP

(are your tires going flat ? grin

 

[wsparadise]

Re: OMC outdrive raises while stored in down position

Laughing out loud Commander, no my tires arent going flat but I did not think of that one 8)

 

[sker crunch]

Re: OMC outdrive raises while stored in down position

Someone didn't slip a Viagra in the trim fluid did they?

 

[jlinder]

Re: OMC outdrive raises while stored in down position

Love the Viagra comment!

Have you checked to see if the drive is raising or if the boat is lowering? Check the angle of the drive over time or the height of the stern over time to know for sure.

Not much help, but at least it will tell you for sure whether the drive is raising or not.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: OMC outdrive raises while stored in down position

There's more volume in the cap end of the cylinders, so as the sun shines and heats up the fluid, the expansion lifts the drive. There's more to it, but that's the basic concept.

 

[wsparadise]

Re: OMC outdrive raises while stored in down position

Thanks Chief Petty Officer, That sounds plausible as the outdrive gets the afternoon sun where I have it parked. I appreciate the response. You helped with a wierd one.