Trim Oil

spdracr39

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 30, 2010
Messages
1,238
I was filling the trim pump resevoir on my boat I just got and the oil was milky white and thin ( full of water). Is there any way other than water in bilge that can cause this issue? The cap on the resevoir doesn't look like it is sealed so if it were submerged I'm sure it would allow water in. I just want to make sure I don't need to look for another issue while I am changing the oil out.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,357
Re: Trim Oil

Ayuh,... Water can also get passed the seals in the rams...
 

spdracr39

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 30, 2010
Messages
1,238
Re: Trim Oil

I guess I'll change it, keep the bilge dry and keep an eye on it then. Thanks !
 

Alpheus

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 3, 2009
Messages
1,759
Re: Trim Oil

keep the bilge dry

Why is your bilge getting full of water?



Don't just empty the reservoir and fill it up with new oil. Take the hydraulic lines off on both sides and blow them out. Push and pull the trim cylinders by hand to remove as much of the bad oil you can. Clean the reservoir and fill with new oil. Connect lines to the pump and pump new oil out the lines until its nice and clean. Connect everything back up, fill with oil and cycle the cylinders up and down a few times to bleed the system. Then monitor the system...
 

spdracr39

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 30, 2010
Messages
1,238
Re: Trim Oil

The boat is new to me and the bilge is not taking water now. I was just thinking of scenarios that might have contaminated the oil. Thanks for then cleansing advice I will do that today :)
 

dubs283

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
5,343
Re: Trim Oil

seals on the trim rams, hoses with holes (broken/muskrat chews), loose/broken/corroded hose connections, holes in the trim rams from corrosion, high bilge water

all possible causes of leaks/water intrusion in the trim system

best to get rid of as much of the old oil as possible, re-fill with fresh oil, run the system and check for leaks
 
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