Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

[rickdb1boat]

I have a small(Seems Like) leak in my tilt & trim unit. It's on a 91' 70 HP Rude with the Fastrac. Just started yesterday afer being out on the lake for the first time this year. It's not coming out of the rams, but somewhere up in the unit where I cannot see the leak. It's on the starbord side if that's any help. It is not the manual release, as the leak is up higher. Maybe a couple of tablespoons dripped out when I got home and of course, it was probably more when running on the lake. Any ideas on this and can I switch to any other fluid other than the regular T&T fluid that might seal it up or possibly an additive? Any help would be appreciated..

 

[DJ]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

Is the fill plug tight? You can only see it with the engine in the full up position.

 

[ob]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

Rick,If you trim it up all the way and inspect the fluid level by topping off,can you determine how much oil you've lost?Don't have a printout of that particular T/T unit ,but if memory serves me ,there is a steel tubing line that has fittings on both ends ,one of which terminates above the area of the manual release screw.Just a shot.<br /><br />Have you determined possitively that the oil you are seeing is in fact T/T hydraulic oil?<br /><br />Probably wasn't much help ,but that's all I can think of.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

Thanks DJ and OB,<br /><br />The plug is for sure tight. I don't know how much I have lost yet, but the motor is slow to come up, so I guess it's more than I thought. I will look for that tubing when I get home from work. I know it's not the cylinders, but it's really hard to se up in there to pinpoint the leak. It is definitly T&T fluid. Thanks again for your help and I will take a look at it in about an hour and let you know if I can find anthing else. First dog gone thing to go wrong with this motor since I've had it. Bummer....

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

It is in fact leaking on the oppisite side of the manual relief valve. I cannot budge the relief valve screw and stripped the slot out trying to do so. Anyone know what my options are? Circlip is out already..

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

^^^^

 

[ob]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

Rick,Can you post a pic of the T/T in question and place an arrow in the suspected area of leak source.I know your good at pic posting is why I suggested it. This may give some of the T/T unit wizzards a plan of attack.Wish I could help more,but I don't know whether pulling the unit at this point is the way to go.<br /><br />You are well deserving of all the help you can get.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

As you said OB, there is the metal line that runs from the pump to the unit. I will try to post a pic of the area that's leaking. But if you can picture the relief valve on the starboard side and going straight threw to the other side of the bracket, that's where it's leaking. I'll post a pic for ya or E-Mail it to ya if you address is still the same. Thanks for the reply. It doesn't look like it's too much trouble to pull the T&T unit according to the Manual, but ya never know.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

up, up, up

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

Some of those units were made with a steel plug in the side. I know, not the best of engeneering ideas. Steel + aluminum = you know the rest of the story.<br /><br />Obviously the "official by-the-book" proceedure is to replace the body. I've seen a few of these units do this but have never explored other options personally. <br /><br />I've heard of guys using Marine Tex or a 2 part epoxy to seal it, all with little success. I'm guessing it was a surface prep issue. <br /><br />The next step is to pull it out and take a good look. Maybe we can figure out something depending on how corroded it is. Maybe this isnt one of those units and something totally different.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

Dhadley <br /><br />Thanks for the reply. I guess it's gonna have to come off to see what's going on. I don't really want to try to patch it up and I dont think it would work anyway because of the position it's in(Can't really get to it). Do you know if the relief valve can leak at the pump and not at the screw side? Any tricks to get the relief valve out? Thanks,

 

[ob]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

Rick,I agree.I think your going to have to pull it in order to get a clear view of the leaking area and determine what plan of attack the repair needs to go.Wish I could offer some specfic info on your leak issue,but that T/T unit is of different design than the one on my 96' model.Moreover ,I've never performed surgery on a T/T unit ,so will be eager to follow the outcome and cause of your leak.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

Thanks Guys,<br /><br />I'm gonna tear into it tomorrow. Wish me luck!!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

Hey all<br /><br />Got the T&T off today and it was a breeze. 15 Minutes at most! Anyway, this let me get at the relief valve and use a round point awl to move the screw around enough to remove it. The O ring on the screwdriver end of the valve was basically non-exsistant and torn to pieces. The rubber flat washer on the end of the valve that seats against the pump was destroyed. So tomorrow and $60.00 later for a new valve and O rings, I should have it back together and leakless again. Thanks again for everyones help. Apperently I was looking at things in the wrong way, as my dealer explained to me. Hove a good dealer, which is rare!! My advice to anyone who has this style of T&T is remove it to get to that relief Valve screw if it's messed up. Then it's flush with the case and you can work with it. Thanks Again,

 

[ob]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

Sounds like you got it whipped Rick.Glad to hear.<br /><br />FYI ,Just looked at the manual release screw head on my T/T unit,(which I have never touched) and its slot looks to be boogered up as well.Either the factory or the boat rigger got a bit too enthusiastic about seating it.Not to mention,it appears to be made of carbon steel.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

Thanks for all your help, OB. I really appreciate the advice you offered, along with the others. Good to know you can rely on some good people out there. Take a little advice, never try to remove that screw unless it's absolutly nessesary. I'd post a pic, but I think you can imagine what the screw end looked like. Looks like a bear chewed on it. I got REAL lucky just to get it out. I forget who suggested the round point awl to turn a stripped screw, but thanks to whoever it was!! Anyway, hopefully all will be well again tomorrow. Can't believe they get $60.00 for that little screw. Mind boggling!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Tilt & Trim Fluid Leaking

Yahoo!<br /><br />Just to let you all know, got the new relief valve installed and NO LEAKS and much faster response from the T&T. They do have a different type valve,(Different Metal Material and rubber washer on the pump end is thicker for a better seal,too), that seems like it would be easier to get out and a VERY deep slot for a screwdriver, also. Anyway, just wanted to let you all know the outcome and thank everyone, Espicially OB, for the help! Thank god I got lucky and got the old valve out!! Must have been my lucky day!! Thanks Again,