Outdrive will not lower all the way.

[AshleysRevenge]

Hi again all. Another day another problem. I've got a Merc I/O 5.7l V8 Alpha 1. I don't know much about hydraulics but I do know a tone difference when running my boat in the water if the outdrive is not ALL the way down. The switch on the throttle has up and down and then a button to trailer the outdrive. Other than replacing the two solenoids it has done fine going up/down/trailer. The last few time on the water the only way to get it down all the way was to stand on it with one foot on the swim deck while the wife pressed the switch on the throttle lever down.

Any clues as to why this might have just started.

The outdrive will lower from full upward position down to just past where, if it were fully down, it would not be allowed to come up any further to protect itself while running in gear.

Hope that makes sence. I don't know if the term is outdrive or sterndrive.

 

[rvaughn704]

If I understand your issue right Check the Hydraulic Fluid for the Outdrive. If it is low it would operate less efficent.

 

[ewpvic]

Also, check the seals at the end of the pistons for corrosion. Make sure the piston shafts are not bent, as well.

 

[natemoore]

I would check to make sure the trim cylinders move freely through their entire range of motion. When I rebuilt mine, no amount of force I applied to the ram would make it move. I had to beat it apart with a deadblow hammer. You should be able to move the ram fairly easily all the way in and out.

Of course you'll have to disconnect the hydraulic lines and remove the aft pin to test each one independently.