question about trim

[mcear]

Hi, I recently bought a 1994 Marada MX1, with a Volvo Penta IO engine. The trim switch seems works fine, however the fully raised position seems not high enough, so when I back the trailer back to my drive way uphill, the bottom of the outdrive hit concrete.

The boat did not come with the manual. I found there is a button near the forward/backward drive stick. Is that the trailer switch? I try to hold it down while push the trim switch however nothing different happen.

So at this moment what should I do? Should I add more hydrolic oil so it can raise higher? Thanks a lot!

 

[wire2]

Re: question about trim

In the up position, is the exposed cylinder rod close to 85% the length of the cylinder? If not, it can go up farther.

Does the pump change sound when it stops going up?

 

[mcear]

Re: question about trim

thanks for reply. I don't know how long is total length of the cylinder, so I don't know what is the percent.

The pump does change sound when it stops going up. Thanks!

In the up position, is the exposed cylinder rod close to 85% the length of the cylinder? If not, it can go up farther.

Does the pump change sound when it stops going up?

 

[Bondo]

Re: question about trim

I don't know how long is total length of the cylinder, so I don't know what is the percent.

Ayuh,........ Measure it........

 

[Don S]

Re: question about trim

Take a picture of the drive in the full up position and post it.
Volvo trim cylinder can have internal spacers in the trim rams to prevent the drive from raising too far so they don't hit things like swim platforms or overhangs on the boat.

 

[mcear]

Re: question about trim

Here is a picture of the outdrive at the most up position.
and a picture of the throttle bar. There is a small button in the lower left corner (I put a yellow arrow there), is this the trailer button? Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: question about trim

Yes, that would be the trailer override button, but with the SX drive they USUALLY didn't have a trim limit switch or a way of adjusting the trim limit. Plus, your drive is well above the trim stage anyway.
From the overhang, I would guess you have some spacers in the trim cylinder so the drive will clear the overhang. Removing some may allow it to come up more. Pull the pin on the cylinders and lift the drive and see how high it can go.

 

[mcear]

Re: question about trim

thanks Don for reply. I am a total newbie to this so I don't understand what is the spacer and what pin I need to move to life it up. Could you please put a arrow on the picture and explain a little bit more? thanks a lot!

 

[Don S]

Re: question about trim

It's the pin that attaches the trim cylinder rods to the outdrive. There is a black plastic cover screwed on over the nuts holding the rod on.
The spacers are INSIDE the trim cylinders. The drive will actually go up a lot farther and will hit the swim step if you take out too many.

 

[mcear]

Re: question about trim

Thanks a lot Don. I will go ahead and try to investigate it. One more question before I do it. By touching this spacer, do I open the seal of hydrolic oil? And if I remove some spacer, does that mean the outdrive won't push to its original low position? Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: question about trim

The spacers have no effect on the full down position, only the up limit.
Not sure of what type spacers are in the cylinders, and you may be able to cut them down, but remember they MUST be EXACTLY the same length or they will put a bind on things.
You have to remove the rod caps that holds the rod in, and you will loose oil, but you do not have to pull the rod clear out, only enough to get the spacer out. It's a C shaped spacer that just slips over the rod.