Trim Tabs leaking Tranny Fluid?

gstanton

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 3, 2003
Messages
451
1995 Sea Ray 230 DA, I/O, purchased used 5-6 years ago, with Bennett Trim Tabs. I recently noticed upon returning from a day trip, while flushing the engine on our lift, that there was a small amount of pink (ATF?) fluid coming out of the base of the port side trim cylinder. I would approximate that it was much less <br />than a half teaspoon... barely noticeable. On the other hand, I've never noticed it before. Am I seeing the beginnings of a problem? I felt the base of the starboard side and there was a drip of fluid present there also. I had just had both tabs<br />fully extended while we idled into our canal (for improved steering control) and when we are under way typically have to engage the starboard side switch (port side<br />cylinder) slightly to trim the boat. We winter here in salty FL and lift the boat out every time. In summer the boat is docked in fresh water 24/7. I've never added ATF.<br /><br />If this is a developing problem, can I simply replace an O-ring on the piston or replace the piston itself, or need I replace the entire cylinder assembly? Any advice is appreciated!
 

ed/il

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Nov 24, 2004
Messages
80
Re: Trim Tabs leaking Tranny Fluid?

You can replace the o ring / seal. Go to the Bennett web site and they will help. If it is not to old the parts will be free.
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,581
Re: Trim Tabs leaking Tranny Fluid?

You should surely replace the orings.Not difficult to do.There is a Bennett trim tab employee right here on this site.He emailed me the exact way to do it and even gave me his cell # if I got stuck.Try a call for Tabman.I think that was his name.
 

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Trim Tabs leaking Tranny Fluid?

Careful though, you don't know if the O-ring is your problem . . . It could be where the nipple threads into the upper mounting plate etc. If your boat is at home and/or easily accesible, try looking over the parts etc. If it is more remote, I'd buy a complete cylinder and swap it. They come with replacement destructions which are slightly different than new install destructions if I remember correctly.
 

gstanton

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 3, 2003
Messages
451
Re: Trim Tabs leaking Tranny Fluid?

I sent the same question to Bennett Trim Tabs and here is the return response:<br />">Thank you for contacting us with your trouble.<br />><br />>Yes, we have seal kits that can be sent out to you at No Charge, but I <br />>will need your mailing address to do this for you. Please keep in mind that<br />the actuator will have to be out of the water to make this replacement and you should<br />wait for them to arrive, since they come with installation instructions too!"<br />><br />I certainly never expected this kind of response! It is unusual to find a company that will back it's product even after the warranty period has expired. Bennett Trim Tabs has made a believer out of me!
 

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Trim Tabs leaking Tranny Fluid?

Yup. They bought and sent stuff to me too after it was well out of warranty. I simply emailed for diagnostic assistance and they just offered to send me the failed relay switch thing for nuttin'
 
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