Tilt/trim is very slow

[Cptkid570]

Mercruiser Alpha 1, gen I (tilt trim has the plastic resovoir beneath it).

It's really slow. It does raise and lower the outdrive, but doesn't do it nearly as fast as on my other boat. And it's kinda quiet too. Now, this boat is my project boat and the tilt/trim went unused for probably 5 years.

So, I'm wondering if it would be slow because it's worn out or if maybe it's gummed up some how...

If, by chance, it's slow because it's gunked up, is there any way to clean it?

If, the motor is bad, can't I just change the motor out?

 

[YeboGogo]

Re: Tilt/trim is very slow

whats the fluid color?

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Tilt/trim is very slow

Good question. I'm pretty sure it's red = transmission fluid color.

Do they work better with oil or brake fluid?

 

[YeboGogo]

Re: Tilt/trim is very slow

Good question. I'm pretty sure it's red = transmission fluid color.

Do they work better with oil or brake fluid?

ATF is almost a full on hydraulic fluid with tons of lubricants added. I would stay with it.

if its a clearer color it could be mixed with water. Water is a compressable fluid and would possibly explain why its running longer. In that case it would be compressing the water and fluid at different rates.

If thats the case- find the cause of the water and drain and change all the other liquids

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Tilt/trim is very slow

Nope, there is no water in it. I'm wondering if some internals in the motor are just gooped up. But, I've used it a bit now and it hasn't gotten any faster or freed up at all.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Tilt/trim is very slow

Does anyone know if the pump motors from the older style units (with the metal reservoir) are innerchangeable with the new style units with the plastic reservoir?

I have an old pump in my garage that I know works well, but it has the metal reservoir under it and I have the plastic one in my boat that I'm having the problems with....

 

[OldNBold51]

Re: Tilt/trim is very slow

FWIW when I 1st got my used boat, the tilt/trim was very slow, although you could hear the pump working as normal. After many ups and downs of the tilt/trim, it seems to have worked itself out as now it's normal. I suspect i had air in the lines and it took a while to work itself out.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Tilt/trim is very slow

I'm thinking either air in the lines or the fluid in the lines/motor got gummed up from sitting. I'm thinking of draining the fluid... trying to think of what I could flush the system out with before putting new fluid in, but I don't want to hurt the system.

What would be the thinnest fluid to use in the pump that would still be recommended for the pump? I'm thinking that transmission fluid is thinner than car oil...right?

 

[RRitt]

Re: Tilt/trim is very slow

hydraulic oil is the best. On old prestolites non-detergent motor oil would be second best. Tractor fluid would be third choice. It is an engineered oil to serve as both ATF and hydraulic from common reservoir. ATF would be fourth choice. It has good viscosity and does not foam. However, the additives significantly lower lifespan of buna in a high pressure system. Good old ISO32 hydraulic oil is your best choice. If you system bucks when lowering then mix in some 30W non-detergent motor oil to thicken fluid. Old prestolites had a problem with bouncing if the fluid is too thin and it manifests itself as the prop bucking when lowering on trailer.

 

[wire2]

Re: Tilt/trim is very slow

..... Water is a compressable fluid and would possibly explain why its running longer. In that case it would be compressing the water and fluid at different rates.

Not when I took physics. Steam can be compressed, but only because it has air mixed with water vapor.

Water in liquid form is not compressible. You can put 1.00 cubic foot of water in a pressure vessel, pump it to 10,000 psi, and it will still occupy 1.00 cubic foot of volume.

You're maybe thinking of a liquid being put under pressure? Water, motor oil, hydraulic oil will all behave the same.