Purge Brave One Power Trim Fluid

[gibbywmu2000]

Ok,

So I've already got a post out there for power trim fluid, but want I'd like to do is PURGE the power trim fluid. As explained in a previous thread, I have creamy brown fluid in my trim reservoir. No issues ever since I've purchased the boat in 2002 (it's a 97). So, I figured since I've finally noticed this fluid its about time to change it. I have a service manual but it seems it only explains the process for BLEEDING. Would this be the same? The service manual talks about some "plug" that I'm not sure if I even have, to plug some hole in the drive (22-3809 I believe). Definitely don't have this part. I just want the most simple method of getting all this old fluid out so I can change it. I'm just going to use 10W-30 as the manual suggests that is ok (and much cheaper than the Merc brand power trim fluid).

If anyone has purged their old fluid, please let me know the most simple method. I'd really appreciate it!

 

[MarkSee]

Here's what I did when I had to purge the milky fluid when my Maxum had a trim hose fail and allowed water into the system.
This I'm sure is not the scientific approach nor the quickest like cracking the trim hoses fittings in a certain order would be but achieved the desired results.
Of course this assumes you can get to the trim reservoir fairly easy.

I used a simple turkey baster bought from the $.99 store (a small hose hooked to a pump would work also I imagine) and sucked out all that I could from the reservoir then refilled it with 10w-30 oil. Ran the drive full up and down about a dozen times. Sucked all the oil out of the reservoir again; refilled again; ran the drive up and down again. Repeat that procedure until the oil in the reservoir looks clean.

Mark

 

[gibbywmu2000]

Mark,

That sounds like a great idea!! Then I don't have to worry about disconnecting hoses and screwing something up..........nor do I have to worry about plugging some hole with a plug that I can't seem to find anywhere (That 22-38609 Mercruiser Part #). I'm definitely going to go ahead and do this. You pretty sure I can get all that old junk out that way and only fresh oil will be in the system?

 

[JASinIL2006]

I recently did this on my Alpha 1 Gen 2; can't believe the Bravo would be that different... both are just basic hydraulic systems.

If you follow the procedure above, you might be running through that procedure a number of times... each time you drain and refill, you won't be replacing the milky stuff, just diluting it.

Even if you purge the system as the manual shows (pulling trim lines), you still might have to repeat the filling/draining procedure once or twice before you purged all the bad stuff, and the the manual's procedure clears bad fluid out of the system much more thoroughly. The method above will leave a lot more contaminated fluid in the system that will an actual purge, so you may be doing quite a few cycles of drain/refill.

The procedure in the manual isn't that hard... it looks more confusing than it actually is.

 

[MarkSee]

You pretty sure I can get all that old junk out that way and only fresh oil will be in the system?

I can tell you that after doing this process a few times then comparing what was in the reservoir to some fresh oil right out of the bottle, I could not tell the difference.
Could there have been trace amounts "non-pure" fluid still in the system somewhere, I guess so.
But in the 2 years I owned the boat after doing this flushing I had no issues with the trim system.

Mark

 

[gibbywmu2000]

Mark,

Thanks again. I think your idea is the best, considering the manual suggest using some "plug" that I do not have.......unless this plug can be filled with a standard bolt, but again I have no idea what thread size it would be. It sounds like more of a pain to find this plug in order to bleed as the manual suggest. I think your idea with the turkey baster seems much easier.

Scott

 

[JASinIL2006]

No harm in trying Mark's approach... if it works, you save a bit of time. If not, you're just out a few quarts of oil and you can always use the other method.

BTW, the plug mentioned (on the Alpha, anyway) was a standard size bolt; I don't have it handy, but if you decide to go that route, let me know and I'll dig it up so you have the size/thread count.

 

[gibbywmu2000]

Jason,

If you can get that right now, I can make sure I have a bolt handy. I'm headed up to my cottage today where the boat is, so I'd like to start doing this tonight. I'll PM you also just in case you don't make it back to the forum today. Wonder if its the same on the Alpha as it is the Bravo?

Scott

 

[JASinIL2006]

I'll be home about 5-5:30 Central time. That soon enough? (The part number for the plug for my Alpha is 22-38609; it the Bravo's is the same, the same sized screw would work for you.)

 

[gibbywmu2000]

Ya that's ok. I actually left work at 2:30 and I am 10 minutes away from my boat right now.

 

[gibbywmu2000]

And yes that is the exact same number part for the Bravo One.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Sorry I missed you. For future reference, the plug can be replaced with a 3/8" x 24 bolt.

 

[gibbywmu2000]

Thanks a bunch!!! I just used the Turkey Baster method. Sucked out old oil, cycled the drive up/down full through about 10 times, and repeated about 3 times. Fluid looks pretty good so I'm happy