Optimax 135hp trim problems help!

[RobK]

Hi everybody

I am hoping there is someone out there that has experience with these motors and has had trim problems with them. The motor will trim at idle but not when the boat is at speed and there is more load. It also will not tilt as high as usual for trailering. If you bounce the motor with your hand it will tilt in bursts. The trim motor sounds fine and I have checked the fluid level which is okay. There are no obvious leaks of fluid anywhere. Any advice would be appreciatted.

Regards

Rob

[88fishframe]

It's obviously not right. Too good a motor to try and wreck further yourself - get it over to an expert to look at

[cooky]

The motor will trim at idle but not when the boat is at speed and there is more load

I don't know how long you've had the motor for, but I had a similar problem with my Merc 115hp in the first week of ownership. Shat myself thinking I'd purchased a lemon.

Then I read the user manual My merc won't trim up unless below a certain rev limit (near idle) - obviously it works fine at speed, but say in a creek crossing with sand bars (which is where I was on first week of ownership) you're doing about 6kts and want to maintain speed - it gets shallow and you don't want to lose momentum - pain when you can't trim up unless drop the revs and then trim up a bit and apply revs again.

I hope I explained that correctly, but read the manual first.

However this statement worries me

It also will not tilt as high as usual for trailering

[Spaniard_King]

Cooky is on the money

How did you acertain that the trim unit has the correct fluid level. As this would be the most likely reason it will not trim to the full extent.

Garry

[dnej]

Is the system bleedable? Compressed air can sometimes cause the problem.
David

[nodjule]

I reckon you are low on Hyd oil, hence not travelling to its full extension, it seems you also have air in the system which needs to be bled. staggered bursts on any hydraulic ram usually indicates air in the system, goodluck...

[jimbo59]

Rob,it's probably scratched the trim ram,usually happens when u go thru shallow water or hit somthing.

it's not cheap to fix if thats the problem

cheers jimbo

[RobK]

Thanks for the replies. I am having it looked at Friday. Fingers crossed it is something simple!

Regards

Rob

[Angla]

I've got a 2003 model 135 optimax with smart gauges . Never had a problem touch wood.. Can be at 5500 rpm and trim to 1.6 on the gauge with no hesitation in the speed of the trim. 1.3 on the gauge gives the best trim for flat water so you see I can over trim if I like with no restriction.

Definitely have it checked by a mechanic and please put up the results.

Is it still in warranty too.

Angla

[inspired]

my 135 merc would trim at any speed sound like a job for the hydrolic guys for sure

[Seahorse]

how far away is new boat jeff

[inspired]

before easter i hope or else i will need yours

[Seahorse]

mate, got no vehicle at moment so cant go anywhere even if i wanted 2. 4wd is in panel shop

[GBC]

Just a quick update and hijacking RobK's thread.
Turned out the gent who owned the boat prior to us had a foreign limiting stwitch installed to prevent the motor hitting the bait board. The switch died and took out the rest of the electrics.
Pulled out the switch and all's good again.
Once again a big thanks to Wondall Rd Marine for their honesty and promptness in sorting this out.

[Geoff_Atkinson]

Use it for an anchor and get an E-tec