VP 290 SP Serviced/Tilt&Trim Broken now

[H20Bo]

Had boat hauled for bottom paint and O/D removal, cleaning and service. When returned to the slip, tilt/trim guage just flashes with a +42 reading even though drive is down. Drive does go up and down though. Shop says they think its a plastic gear for the trim indicator that is broken, and boat has to be hauled to get at it under the helmet. I said it worked fine before they serviced the drive. They say, "Well its a plastic gear and it could have broken anytime" I say BS, too coincidential. My questions:
1. Does the broken gear sound like a good diagnosis of the flashing trim guage?
2. Is that gear a common failure?
3. Is the gear located in such a place that it could have been hit and broken during remove and replace of the drive for service/cleaning?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: VP 290 SP Serviced/Tilt&Trim Broken now

It could have broken anytime or just didn't get hooked up when it was re-assembled.They need to be set in the right position.
If someone who didn't know what they were doing replaced the drive they could have missed it.
Sounds like the mechanics/marina don't want to cover their work. Makes me wonder what else they might have forgotten.Jerry

 

[Don S]

Re: VP 290 SP Serviced/Tilt&Trim Broken now

Could be the gear or the rack that moves the gear. They do break quite often, especially after they get old and brittle. Since you said service and CLEANING, I would also say I have seen many broken with a pressurewasher. They break right at the plastic screw.
If they had the drive off, could also be just out of adjustment.
Unless one has a crystal ball (that works, mines broke) the only way to find out for sure what the problem is, is to pull the boat out of the water and look.
The potentiometer (inside the boat may work one day and not the next. Even if never touched by anyone.