tilts up and down...why does it drop when up?

[gary12280]

88 bayliner with 125hp force. Tilt works up and down but when up, outboard slowly comes down on all the way in about 30 minutes. What could cause this and what would be the steps/cost to repair myself?

 

[catfishcarl99]

Re: tilts up and down...why does it drop when up?

sounds like a leak in hydrolic power trim.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: tilts up and down...why does it drop when up?

The hydrolic motor.Not the electric part,it's leaking down.
They sell the replacement anywhere from $150 up.
There is a guy on here called RRitt.I think he repairs them.
I think about$70 if I read right.Look him up,send him a PM.J

 

[RRitt]

Re: tilts up and down...why does it drop when up?

30 minutes is not bad. Most of the ones sent to me for repair would fully drift down in less than 5 minutes. It is almost always the valve body which is the part underneath electric motor with four tubes going into it. Once or twice a year I see a Force drift down because there is a problem with tilt ram piston. In the long run it is more efficient to fix the valve body first than to spend time isolating the problem. Even if it is the piston, chances are good you need a valve body too.

As regards replacement valve bodies there are two flavors: cheap and good. 125HP is a pretty big engine. I'd go with the good. They are (were?) made with API and/or Mallory brands. You can spot them because the end plugs are recessed and held into place with retaining clips. The last place I saw them in a catalog was with ebasic power out of North Carolina.