PHP Warning: Use of undefined constant VBA_SCRIPT - assumed 'VBA_SCRIPT' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in ..../includes/functions_navigation.php(802) : eval()'d code on line 1 Hydraulic info please
Ever since owning my current boat (about 18 months), the trim slowly lowers. Has not really worried me because I am use to continually retrimming up, but it seems to be a little worse lately. I assume it is the seals. Has anyone had any experience with replacing them? I don't really want to pay someone a whole lot of money. I am assuming it would be a big bill. Is it something you can do yourself if you have a bit of mechanical nous. I have recently had it really labouring when first using the trim, until I run it up and down a few times and free it up.
second question,,, I have hydraulic stearing, but I know it is not working as well as it could because if it is not trimmed exactly in the sweet spot, the stearing starts getting quite heavy. This issue actually helps to make sure I have the trim right all the time. I have thought it may be low in hydraulic fluid in the steering, but cannot see anywhere to check it or top it up. Suggestions please.
Hi Cheech
Start with the easy one
steering
It would be a very rare case where you had any wear in hyd steering that would impede the operation of it. If it has air in it, it will feel a bit clunky to turn with a noticable increase in free play ( there will always be a small amount of free play as this is the diffence between the oil taking one or the otherpath, left or right, operation of the valves. The most likey failure will be an oil leak, so maybe check your level.
clear as mud that bit.
Trim
Bugger, what type is it. From memory the control unit goes under the well with a set of rams on the outboard?, maybe easy to fault find on this type for a home hanyman.
cheers
blaze
Others have indicated that as well, but it is definately an 88, and has a red band. Though the red piping is only thin and there is also a white and silver band that is thicker. I suppose it is not a redband as such. Will not get to take any photo's till the weekend. The basic design is the ram in the middle, each side had the pumps?/reservours? with what I assume are the fine tune actuators coming out of them.
If it helps, I just went down to trim the motor up to have a look, and it was as if I had flat batteries. I only just managed to get the trim working with a bit of up and down with a wait in between. Then as usual once I got it freed, it new works normally.
With the steering, there is not much slop and I have not noticed any leaks anywhere. Not clunky either.
Sounds like I will be stripping the trim down pretty soon. Can you get seal/gasket kits?
Hey Cheech,just on the off chance can you lift the motor by hand ie:enough to feel any freeplay in the pivot where your motor hinges cause possibly that may be seized and take a bit to free up and then works fine.
My first thoughts on the slow operation are the trim motor, it will be one of 2 types, square or round. If its round you can get seperate parts off the shelve (not sure which shelf but can be supplied by merc). The square one is a diverent kettle of fish, cant get parts and you need to buy a complete unit (cheaper from the states), but in saying that mine is square and I had an auto electrian fit brushers and made up a seal kit from diffent places. The drama with the motor is they get water in them. There is also a thermo fuse inside (bypassed mine). I have the seal numbers in a book if you require them.
There is a pressure check that can be done on them (have pressures if you require).
To take the unit off the motor you need to remove one of your pivot/mounting bracket.
Maybe the leak down is seals on the pistons, have my doubts though, knowing boats it more than likely some bloody obscure vavle they dont make any more or if they do it will cost 3 arms and 6 legs.
If you want any specifics, ask, and I will look in the manual
cheers
blaze
Cheech, the steering should have a knob on the helm, behind steering wheel. It should be on top so can fill and check fluid level. Level should be just below top, not quite full. Don't use ATF (red oil used in car auto and power steer), use proper hydraulic fluid for steering. It is better to use copper lines instead of plastic, less friction, makes it more like power steering, but probably not worth the hastle of changing. Blaze is right, if fluid down you will turn wheel and will take many turns to get action at motor and be very light to feel.
red bands were pre blue which is pre 1974.
Hope this helps, Pete
Chech I have a grey band 115 il6 that I have been told is an 86 model so yours could be a later model.Is it a v4 or il6 ,the year is not that important anyhow when ordering parts as the merc dealer will want the serial number of the engine for identification.
cheers jon
With your tilt & trim problem, check your hydraulic fluid level if you haven't already. I think air in the sytem can cause some of the symptoms you mention.
I had a 200hp 1988 model Black Max Mercury that had a slow bleed down on the trim.
It progressively got worse until it got to the stage where I was continually trimming to keeps its nose up, it would also bleed down off the tilt over about 1/2 an hour.
On mine, a seal kit was put into the trim cylinders and the check valves were flushed. It cost me an hours labor and the coat of seals, all up about $100. Which was cheaper than I had expected.
As mentioned, mine was 1988 and it looked like this one (piccy pinched from For Sale forum).
Darren, that is exactly my motor. Just the 100hp version.
Can you give me a bit more info on where you got the kit from, and how you flushed the check valves (or do you mean cleaned them?). Plus any instructions you can on the strip down if there are any things to look out for.
In a previous life I was a fitter and turner so by the sounds of it I should be able to do myself.
I will check the pivot as well, but that would have to wait till the cylinder is discinnected as you cannot more it at the moment.
I will have another look behind teh steering as I could not see any places to add or check oil last time I looked.
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