Tilt Cylinder Leaking Force 125

[sidenberg]

The tilt cylinder on the right side of my 1987 Force 125 just started a small leak of fluid. I just noticed a bit of fluid has dripped that appears to be coming from the top around the shaft. I intend to replace the seals to correct this. I would appreciate any guidance with this repair.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt Cylinder Leaking Force 125

the kits and manuals should both include instructions. takes 2-4 hours if your boat is a properly maintained freshwater. All bets are off for mineral, brackish, or salt water.

 

[sidenberg]

Re: Tilt Cylinder Leaking Force 125

I'm a salt water guy. I can imagine what it will be like dealing with the shaft nuts. The leak was only a few drops and seems to have stopped. The tilt still works fine. I am wondering how critical it is to deal with this now

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt Cylinder Leaking Force 125

If the top seal is crakced then water is getting in and it will eventually eat your system up from the inside out. If it is leaking around the band fitting then it is not causing any harm to your boat. You can get and idea of how big salt water difficulty will bee by trying to move the bottom mounting shaft. On a new engine the lower shaft floats and spins freely between the two transom clamps. Try to loosen one of the nuts and tap it with a punch. don't mushroom the shaft. see if it moves. Imagine having to take the shaft out. Now double that. That is the minimum difficulty. If you mess with trim cylinder it is more likely 5x and could go up to 10x.

 

[sidenberg]

Re: Tilt Cylinder Leaking Force 125

Thanks for the info RRitt. What is the best way to get the head assembly off the cylinder, a pipewrench?

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt Cylinder Leaking Force 125

face pin spanner wrench. Needs to be armstrong or higher quality. It needs to be made from cast iron not stamped steel. the cheap ones flex and damge the holes in ram top. Pipewrech often damages edges of tilt head and causes problems getting proper seal.

 

[sidenberg]

Re: Tilt Cylinder Leaking Force 125

Thanks RRitt. You are obviously knowledgeable in this area so I hope you don't mind if I take advantage of your expertise as I am always interested in learning about mechanics. The diagram on "parts.net" of the tilt cylinder for my 1987 125 HP show a part #2 just above the head assembly part #3. What is that part as I do not see it on mine. Also how does this whole system work. Does the hydralic pressure lift the motor or lower the motor. The pump says to reduce pressure the engine should be lifted. This makes no sense to me.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt Cylinder Leaking Force 125

see pic

 

[sidenberg]

Re: Tilt Cylinder Leaking Force 125

Thanks for the pic but too small to read.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt Cylinder Leaking Force 125

rams push in both directions depending which end fluid is being pumped into.

the system lasts a lot longer if you let off the pressure. down pressure is always less than up due to gravity. best way to release pressure is to lift engine, install transom saver blocks, let engine down onto blocking.

mercury does not sell all seals. if the leak is from your tilt head then mercury does not offer the parts needed to do a proper fix. go to ebay and look for a non-mercury kit that includes both lower and upper tilt shaft seals.


hopefully it is just your fitting. they go bad from salt water. go to NAPA and find brake fitting #1441. It will replace the original. Be very careful not to damage threads in band collar.

 

[sidenberg]

Re: Tilt Cylinder Leaking Force 125

My owners manual says to "make sure engine is in full down position to fill reservoir with #20 weight oil" but the sticker on the pump says "oil in trim system under pressure when engine is trimmed down and open cap only when unit is fully trimmed up"? I guess when in doubt I should follow the instruction on the pump.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt Cylinder Leaking Force 125

My owners manual says to "make sure engine is in full down position to fill reservoir with #20 weight oil" but the sticker on the pump says "oil in trim system under pressure when engine is trimmed down and open cap only when unit is fully trimmed up"? I guess when in doubt I should follow the instruction on the pump.

depends on year. 1992 and later fill when up. 1991 and earlier fill up or down. I fill down on early so that there is no risk of oil on floor.

 

[sidenberg]

Re: Tilt Cylinder Leaking Force 125

I am guessing mine must have been replaced with a newer unit at some time. That would explain the discrepancy between the manual and the pump sticker.