Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

[jpwilly]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

I'm glad it worked out too. Just curious why those bolts were sheered off in the first place. Did the hydraulic pressure get to them or was it someone with a wrench?

Hoping that once I tq down the screws that the repaired ones won't strip. There seems to be enough thread material left to hold just fine but I won't know till I put tq on them and run the system. Hope it all works when it goes back together.

It looked like motor oil, light-med brown color, so probably 30wt oil. Thanks for the tips on how to refill.

 

[MickLovin]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

I am not sure but this part of the tilt/trim system probably sits in the water like the bottom of my pump, and the top 3 bolts are probably not sitting in the water. I found when I disconnected my pipes from my pump, the side pipes on the valve were ok, the bottom stripped out and was welded in, I would say due to the fact that this pipe connection was facing down and was in the water more often.
There is a hydraulic oil you can buy for the tilt trim.
I would say someone has tried to get your bolts off previously and it got all too hard. I still don't understand why they use stainless steel bolts in outboard alloy, they weld together like no tomorrow, but what else could they have used I suppose. The old 115hp Suzuki I had was really bad for welding between the alloy and the stainless steel.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

Most likely the broken bolts were sheared off by someone trying to remove them. I've broken off my fair share trying to take them out.

 

[jpwilly]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

Couldn't find non detergent 30wt so I went with power steering fluid.

FYI ACE Hardware sells SS 1/4 x 20 1 3/4" Allen head bolts for $1.25ea. Since I was there getting a 1/4 x 20 tap I figured what they heck.

I got home and re-threaded the bolt holes. I and went ahead and re-installed the trim cylinder and cover with the SS bolts covered in ample amount of copper antisieze then refilled. Dropped the motor off the chair and lowered down by hand. This thing tilts pretty easily and feels pretty balanced. I think the Hydrolics are needed when the boat is underway. Tilting this up and down by hand wasn't difficult. But I'm not a small guy either. Had my daughter work the switch while I filled up and purged the air. Tested half dozen time and it's working great!

 

[jpwilly]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

video of it working:
http://s124.photobucket.com/user/jp...5-4C43-BE8D-8D6EB08870DE_zps5ymfjnv6.mp4.html

 

[Jiggz]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

Looks good and also operating great. Congrats.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

Looks good and also operating great. Congrats.

+1 Good job!

 

[jpwilly]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

I'm mechanically inclined but needed the feedback I got here so I know what I'm doing is right and not second guessing myself. I'm in sales for a living but slept at a holiday inn last night! This forum is great! Thanks for the help really appreciate it!!

 

[lovnlivin]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

Hi all, new member and first posting and I thought I posted this once so I apologize if it shows up twice.

I have a 1990 Force 120 with a power trim identical to the one jpwilly is working with (I think), that no longer works. My buddy was loading the boat when he gunned it to get positioned and when he did, the motor dropped (as it always does when it's part way up). It had to hit the bottom pretty hard as we were in shallow water and took out the trim. After removing the cylinder housing it seems the cylinder is now out of round.

Here's a diagram of the trim cylinder I have, followed with pictures of mine, that took a bit of a beating.


And here's the damaged goods:



Here's the inside but it's kind of hard to tell from the photo how it's out of shape.


So my questions are, as the cylinder appears to be bent, if not mushroomed, will the cylinder come loose from the housing so I can save the housing and possibly the piston? I was planning on replacing everything but the housing if possible.

Thanks in advance for any help or ideas!

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

The part that is bent is #3 in the diagram. Normally it will come out with little effort, but since it is deformed, it will take more effort. It is available and easily replaced.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

Usually they get stuck in the body, not the cap. With a little work and possibly some heat, it should come out easily. Replace both O rings and the piston O ring.

 

[lovnlivin]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

Very good, thank you both!

It also appears that the housing does not bolt down flush but sticks up about 1/2". So I'll assume I will just tighten the bolts (to be replaced with the suggested ss 1/4" x 20x 1 3/4" allen head) to the also suggested inch pounds mentioned earlier.

I'll also need to research bleeding the system once I get it all put back together and trim fluid added.

Thanks again!

Keith

 

[lovnlivin]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

Sorry, I have one additional question:

I have all the lines loose and the housing assy removed, but I'm not able to raise the motor by hand.

Is there a trick to doing this, or any idea why I can't lift the motor up higher to make this easier to work on?

Thanks again!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

You are working against the tilt cylinder. Unless the top line is loose enough to bleed out oil as you lift the engine, you will not be able to do it.

If the oil line is that loose or removed and you still can't lift the engine, the cylinder is stuck. Try pushing down to break it free then lift up.

 

[lovnlivin]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

Makes perfectly good sense, as I did not lossen the top line (yet).

And BTW, the cylinder came out fine, as did the piston, new cylinder and rebuild kit are ordered and I should be reassembling by next weekend!

Thank you, Frank!

 

[lovnlivin]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

My new parts are in and ready for reassembly tonight. As far as bleeding the system once I get it all back together, I need some tips!

Looking online, the only thing I've found so far is that the unit is self bleeding?

If I can't find anything else I'll gravity bleed and see what happens, unless someone can help.

Thanks again!

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

It's pretty much self bleeding. Just cycle the Tilt/Trim up and down until it operates smoothly. Older style valve bodies you have to fill with the motor down. Newer style valve bodies, you have to fill with the motor all the way up. If you have the newer style, there is usually a warning label on the trim motor warning against opening the fill plug with the motor down.

 

[jpwilly]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

just run it up until it stops add fluid reinstall fill plug, repeat...in just a few times it will be full and going all the way up and down. You'll hear the air burble through the pipes I just released the air pressure when done by opening the fill plug one last time once full.

 

[lovnlivin]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

All reassembled and working even smoother than before!

Thank you all for your help and guidance through this first-time experience!

Next on the project list is replacing part of the floor :grumpy:

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Tilt Trim issue - 1994 Force 120

Good luck with the floor!