Outdrive does not stay up

[willieboy]

Last night I went out to the family lake house to check on it, and check on the toys. Due to work, etc., no one has been out there for a month. Anyway, while out there, I noticed the outdrive on my boat was down. Now I know I did not leave it down, so I am guessing it drifted down over that time. Anyway, I put the drive up, and it seemed to stay up for the time I was there (~1 hour). However, I am sure I have a slow leak of some kind. I did briefly check around the hydraulics, and did not see any fluid leaks. So, the question, are there "usual suspects" that go bad on the hydraulics that would cause the problem I am having? I was thinking either a seal in the ram(s) or a check valve in the pump. Is it easy to rebuild these parts if that is the case? What diagnostic would I do to narrow it down to a single part?

Outdrive: 1994 VP SX drive

 

[willieboy]

Re: Outdrive does not stay up

Any help or ideas would be appreciated. The lake house is 1.5 hours away, and I would like to have some parts the next time we go out there. How hard is it to rebuild the rams?

 

[picklenjim]

Re: Outdrive does not stay up

Most of the time that problem is due to a leaky check ball in the pump.Some times you can take them apart and clean them well and that's all it needs.Also just using it may clear it up and make it work.Really depends on how fast it's dropping.You may be able to take it out and use it just fine for the day. Not real familiar with VP's but I know a Merc is best stored with the drive down.Keeps the bellows from being stretched out and in a turned up position.