OMC Stringer 800 tilt

[Colin Ambler]

I pull the outdrive up to dock, and when i go back to put it down, it won't budge. I can hear clicking from the solenoids, and if i hold down the switch, I can hear a little whine like it's trying to work. I've taken the half moon quadrant off, and the gear spins like it should. What do you think my problem is? Tilt motor can't work under the load? replace? I've heard stories of some kind of bushing getting in the way and jamming the outdrive in the up position. Also, is it OK to leave the outdrive down? (It's in salt water)

 

[KaGee]

Re: OMC Stringer 800 tilt

Hi Colin,<br /><br />Please don't take this wrong. If you use the search feature using "OMC Tilt" and you will find may posts where this issue has been addressed... several in the last two weeks alone. The procedure is the same for all Stringers, 400 or 800.<br /><br />If after you have read through these posts and you still have questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: OMC Stringer 800 tilt

I have had the same problem and it always seems to happen when going down. I hear the same things you do. Here is what happens, that little gear that holds the whole drive up gets stuck. Bad design. Thats a lot of weight for that little gear and is why the seals fail and it gets water in it. I would have someone in back push on the drive or give it a little nudge and then it would engage. I took a lot of marine grease and greased the gear and the assembly. Since then I have not had a problem. <br /><br />You can leave the drive down, just be careful taking the boat out of the water so you do not damage the skeg. I believe in the water the drive should be down regardless of salt or fresh water.

 

[Colin Ambler]

Re: OMC Stringer 800 tilt

Thanks for the advice. What kind of grease should I use? You're saying just soak the quadrant in it? I can't get to the small gear as it is in the water.<br /><br />Given it's a bad design, it should work without having someone push down on it right? Is it possible to take out the tilt motor while the boat is in the water? I'm interested to see if the brushes are worn or something else is making it slow.<br /><br />It's ok to leave the drive in the down position the entire season in the salt water? I would think there would a lot of corrosion...

 

[KaGee]

Re: OMC Stringer 800 tilt

What HAVE you done so far? Anything? Did you do any maintenance at all before launching it??<br /><br />Have you perfomed any of the electrical checks as prescribed in the other postings??

 

[Manipulator]

Re: OMC Stringer 800 tilt

I used white/yellow marine grease and packed it into the gear and I also drained the gear box and packed that with marine grease. Has worked great ever since and now I don't have water getting into the case. <br /><br />I thought your question came up before about leaving the drive up. I believe this was not advised. Being in salt water I believe made no difference. Maybe someone else will chime in.