sterndrive wont go down

[rob 135]

1985 chris craft scorpion 186 230 hp mecruiser . Out drive has been changed to early pre alpha drive . My problem is I bought it from a friend that never repaired much unless he had to. with out drive trimmed all the way up will not go down with out jumping on outdrive he says. I haven't been able to get down by myself yet.. He says after its down will work ok as long as you don't go up to far. I'm not putting it in water like that , was a long list of things he neglected that need fixing. I just finished new water pump ,seals,and starter working on electrical problems now. Need outdrive down to run engine...

 

[josh_booth]

Does the pump run but won't lower?

 

[rob 135]

yes pump runs , just wont go down

 

[josh_booth]

Not being a "marine" mechanic, just a heavy equipment mechanic it sounds like what happens on equipment that has damage in the cylinder barrel. Being the age of the outdrive I would guess it's wore from trailer transport and the oil is bypassing the piston, but once you get past the worn area it would work as normal. But like I said, just my guess from what I've seen at work.

 

[rob 135]

I have 2 more rams for it . actually have another complete system. Easy to change out and I was thinking same thing myself.

 

[josh_booth]

I shouldn't, but did assume oil is full and you have checked that nothing is binding up with it raised. I would try unhooking the cylinders and see if the work normally without being hooked to the outdrive

 

[rob 135]

Yes oil full, Nothing binding ,I had end of rams off to drop outdrive down .While I did water pump.

 

[Scott Danforth]

probably dirt in the check valve.

have someone stand on the outdrive and bounce up and down when someone is pushing the button.

 

[rob 135]

what would be a permanent fix ? Clean valve body?

 

[Bondo]

what would be a permanent fix ?

Ayuh,..... When ya run the trim to Full up, ya hear the pumps motor Labor,....

Tap the down button a couple of times to unload the valvin' in the pump,....
When left Loaded, 'n stalled, the valves stick,....

If left for an extended period of time,...
Have a Heavy friend jump on the drive to get it to go down,...
Once below the Tilt range, prop thrust can be used to get it to full down,....

 

[rob 135]

That was just how it was left . Been a year full up . Friend that owned boat previously said it happened before . I was just gonna try and see if was a repair but if not worth time will simply get my son to jump on it .

 

[rob 135]

I removed one of the rams completely . Lines off and I can not get that ram to compress, It should go in if all ok correct?