Trim system - not going all of the way down

[arrkerr]

This is my first boat with this kind of trim system, so I'm not familiar with the correct behavior.

When I lift the motor, it goes up fast and stops automatically.

When I lower the motor, it goes reasonably quickly a good portion of the way, and then goes really (really!) slowly, and never seems to stop - the pump keeps running. I never really know when, or if, I've got it all of the way down.

I know there is a sensor on the gimbal assembly - perhaps this needs to be replaced? I see the adjustment instructions in the book, and going through those is on my to-do list this week. The hold-up is that when the boat is on the trailer I can't fully lower the motor (hits the pavement), so I'll have to run it up on ramps (or park on a hill).

I'm not sure what the trim fluid is supposed to look like - but it seems pretty milky.

Any insight from those with more experience would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Trim system - not going all of the way down

This is my first boat with this kind of trim system, so I'm not familiar with the correct behavior.

When I lift the motor, it goes up fast and stops automatically.

When I lower the motor, it goes reasonably quickly a good portion of the way, and then goes really (really!) slowly, and never seems to stop - the pump keeps running. I never really know when, or if, I've got it all of the way down.

I know there is a sensor on the gimbal assembly - perhaps this needs to be replaced? I see the adjustment instructions in the book, and going through those is on my to-do list this week. The hold-up is that when the boat is on the trailer I can't fully lower the motor (hits the pavement), so I'll have to run it up on ramps (or park on a hill).

I'm not sure what the trim fluid is supposed to look like - but it seems pretty milky.

Any insight from those with more experience would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, If you get a chance to do so could you please fill in the boat's history like what style engine and drive and boat you have with year and engine serial number will help some of the guy's out, But it sounds like you may have have water leaking into the cylinder rams some place and that could be why you have milky trim fulid, And slowing down, Or the water got in side the trim pump area from water getting in side the boat some how in that area. With out knowing what style engine you have but taking a guess the oil could be a clearish with/too light brownish color like engine oil some times, Just to give you an idea is all, It could varry depending on what some one has put in it over the years, Also keep in mind some times the trim pump oil could get aireated and look a little milky some times. Thank's and Good luck with it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim system - not going all of the way down

Ayuh,.... Who's Trim pump,..??
Who's Outdrive,..??
Which 1,..?? Exactly, serial #s might help....

As for not being able to tell if it's All the way Down,....
The Pump won't Labor like it does when you tilt Up to the top(Btw, always run it back down a second rather than leaving it in Overload)...
Instead of Loading Up,... The pump will Free-wheel...

 

[jtybt]

Re: Trim system - not going all of the way down

There's a good chance one or more of the hydraulic lines have a bad or corroded fitting into the aluminum housing.

Older merc's had rubber hydraulic hoses before they started using the SS braided coverings and were very susceptible to cracking/leaking.

 

[arrkerr]

Re: Trim system - not going all of the way down

Sorry, can't believe I didn't post what it was!

Its the last year of the Alpha1 Gen1, and motor is a 3.0L Merc.

Boat is a 91, not sure everything is original though. As usual, finding out previous owner either withheld a lot of info, or was clueless, or both. Lots of thing not working exactly as they should :-\

Hydraulic lines are braided, and I don't see any fluid leaks. I'll check and change the oil. Reservoir is plastic.

So on this kind of trim system, how would you normally know when the motor is at the proper operating angle when you lower it in the water. Change in tone?