Outdrive Tilt leaking down

[dlk4602]

I have just purchased a 1998 chris craft with an OMC/Volvo engine 57FCPBYC. I have discovered that the outdrive tilt leaks down. The drive seems to trim up and down OK, it just slowly lowers by itself. I don't see any external leaks. Is there and easy way to tell if the problem is in the pump or cylinders?

I am leaning towards replacing the pump to see if it fixes it. The pump I have is the one with the reservoir on the top and looking at the on-line parts catalogs, this is part number 3855745. This part appears to be unavailable and the replacement is part number 3587079 which is the pump with the reservoir on the bottom. It appears that there are some aftermarket equivalents (Sierra 18-6806, API marine PT408N, others?) are these OK pumps?

To use this pump, I would need to make a mounting bracket for the pump, replace the electrical connector with ring terminals and make another bracket for the relay. Has anyone done this swap before? Anything else that would need to be done?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[dlk4602]

Re: Outdrive Tilt leaking down

Also, I see that there is a valve body seal kit for this pump. How difficult is it to take the pump manifold apart and clean it?

Thanks, Dave.

 

[dlk4602]

Re: Outdrive Tilt leaking down

Just posting a follow-up in case anyone is interested...

I decided to go with the Sierra 18-6806 aftermarket pump. I made a new bracket for the pump and bracket for the relay. The new pump solved the problem with the drive leaking down.

Attached are pictures of the old pump and the new pump.

Dave.

Before



After