Trim locked up - motor running

[runithrd]

I own a 1986 4.3 L OMC with the OMC Cobra sterndrive. I lost some trim pump fluid, topped it off, but not before trim up and down became sluggish. Despite attempts to bleed, trim began refusing to operate under load - i.e. while moving in gear. Had to shift to neutral to trim at all. Then became intermittantly inop, although motor itself will wind away. Seems pump not working to establish pressure and pressure change. Currently locked in up position, despite weighted attempts to leverage unit down while running trim motor. Reservoir full - never really took much even after leak. Sound of motor always changed slightly as pump engaged - now just flat out spinning, so NOT an electrical issue...considering replacing entire pump assembly (using existing motor) with used similar unit - but any other ideas? I think I've tried all the easy stuff...

 

[runithrd]

Re: Trim locked up - motor running

Just so anyone interested will know how this turned out - there is a manual release (recessed flathead screw) on the lower starboard side of the pump assembly that will lower the sterndrive like one lowers a bottle jack - I removed the fill screw, held a rag near the hole, and RAPIDLY released the manual screw, causing the strendrive to drop fast, forcing fluid back thru the system and out the hole....I believe this either cleaned/broke up/released a locked up valve freezing the drive in up position. I simply refilled the reservoir, lowered and raised the unit to refill again (like 5 times), and all problems aforementioned GONE - working like new - hope this may help someone