Trim/Tilt Hydraulic Fluid

[tgell001]

Stingray 180RX w/ Volvo SX outdrive

So when lifting the trim up, it sprays hydraulic fluid out of the 4 way manifold. I removed the retained and noticed the the far right one wasn't seated correctly. I would like to investigate whether that was the simplest fix ever or i need to replace some parts but can't figure out how to add fluid? OR, what type of fluid to add. Volvos manual is silent to this topic, any help?

Also, a quick google search turned up a bunch of people with the same year boat and the same outdrive and the same issue or worse (leaking pump). This is clearly an issue with volvo quality.

I need help, i feel a giant bill from the dealership if i can't get this working.

 

[tgell001]

Re: Trim/Tilt Hydraulic Fluid

I found the shop manual for the SX-A outdrive and it gives full detail on the removal of the out drive but says the same thing about the outdrive fluid, that it shouldn't need maintenance. I looked for the fill port that i see on the diagram for the pump and i can't find it for the life of me. If its where i think it is i have to remove the outdrive to add fluid?????

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim/Tilt Hydraulic Fluid

Item 4 in the drawing below, is the cap to fill the pump with. Just turn the drive to port and you should be able to get to it enough to fill it.

 

[tgell001]

Re: Trim/Tilt Hydraulic Fluid

I saw that diagram and knew what I was looking for just couldn't acess it. Feel stupid for no thinking about turning the outdrive. Is there a process for purging the air from the system? And, the manual says it uses "volvo power steering fluid" but is there anything special about it of will the stuff from the autoparts store work?

 

[Soreal53]

Re: Trim/Tilt Hydraulic Fluid

I was told to use regular power steering fluid for cars from a volvo mechanic. Mine works perfect after I added to my tilt/trim.

 

[tgell001]

Re: Trim/Tilt Hydraulic Fluid

I got it full and It holds pressure enough to keep the outdrive up for about a week in the driveway but still eventually falls down. I can fill it and go up and down a few times to bleed it and it seems fine except for it sprays when its hits the limit (up or down).

So I found my hydraulics for my trim cylinders leaks around the 4 way manifold (wasn't the simplest fix ever). When looking at the exploded view it appears as if that manifold is a part of the pump assembly. the pump assembly is 600 bucks! (btw the picture is accurated except my hydaulic lines are all verticle)

What can be the cause of the leak? Its hard to tell the exact source because with the retainer installed it obstructs my view of the 4way manifold. I see there are o-rings on the diagram but when i pulled it apart they appear to be tightly adhered to the inside of the manifold and I can't really inspect them for damage. Its there a flow path thru the threaded hole where the screw goes into?

I would think the pump would have some sort of bypass valve to dump the oil back into the reservoir to prevent over pressuring the lines when the trim is at its upper or lower limit. I might be wrong.... Either way, I find it hard to believe the pump is broken during its 3rd season......

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Trim/Tilt Hydraulic Fluid

Sounds as if you have the leak problem that was the subject of this post from ThreeMileBayWaker.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=567069&highlight=trim+pump+replacement

 

[tgell001]

Re: Trim/Tilt Hydraulic Fluid

Wow they sent you a free replacement cover? That's amazing.. I'm going to roll the dice and give them a call today. Thanks for the post

 

[tgell001]

Re: Trim/Tilt Hydraulic Fluid

So i rolled the dice..............craps! haha

So volvo tells me that they wont send me the part w/o an authorized dealer performing and evaluation to determine that it is indeed a quality issue. Volvo goes on to say even if they do provide the part they will pay no labor. ?!? come on! So basically i pay for the part and do it myself or pay equal if not more to the dealer in labor for them to do it.

I call my dealer and they basically said "yeah thats a problem, we see it all the time and it usually happens right after the warranty runs out" and i gave them my story about what volvo told me and they said "yeah, we dont even deal volvo anymore because of the quality and how uncooperative they are"

So I solicited them and offer that they evaluate the problem, get the part, and give it to me haha. I was told to call back tomorrow and that that he'll ask the owner. Warranty ran out 4/30 and the pump broke 6/9. I really think i have an argument here. I feel bad for the dealer because its not on them to provide the quality manufacturing and design, just the service. And, in this case, they're getting a bad rap too. This is a terrible situation.

Volvo needs to step up and stand behind theyre product!

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Trim/Tilt Hydraulic Fluid

I wonder how many people called them after I posted that....lol.

But yea, they do need a submitted service estimate so they can get your vin number off the outdrive and put it in their records a service was repaired on that part. Some scammer could call trying to score free parts, this is their way to keep legit. You don't have to go back to your selling dealer...

But think of it this way, the part is $360 bucks, plus labor...My dealer quoted me IIRC 1.5 hours of labor @$90/hr and a quart of fluid. Ive never worked on an outdrive before, but it's really simple to do this fix. Soo, it's do some phone leg work and work with what Volvo asks and get the free part, use 2-2.5 hours of your time and an $8 bottle of trim fluid.

... I'd do the leg work, how to is posted to help ya guys out