Alpha one will not trim in / down

[enderl25]

I just acquired a '86 Sea Ray / alpha one which has been dry docked in Ohio for the past 5 years. I am trying to get the boat into operating condition.

The boat was stored with the outdrive trimmed out, and now it will not trim in. The pump runs, so I tried jumping on the outdrive while running the pump, but this did not free the unit. Oil shoots across the yard when i run the pump with the fluid lines disconnected from the hydrolic arms.

I am looking for suggestions of what I should look at next.

The hydrolic arms are very stiff, and can't be manually compressed or twisted. Should I be able to easily manipulate the arms now that they are completely disconnected?

 

[billywhizz]

Re: Alpha one will not trim in / down

after five years they could be siezed up, i have the same set up and i can easily turn twist the ends of the ram rods by hand, and with a bit more effort compress the whole thing assuming you have disconnected both lines?

 

[enderl25]

Re: Alpha one will not trim in / down

All lines are disconnected, and i still can't compress or twist the rods.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Alpha one will not trim in / down

put them in a press, or try to dissassemble .may be frozen from sitting

 

[enderl25]

Re: Alpha one will not trim in / down

Thanks guys.

I don't have a press, so I will attempt disassembly this evening.

Anyone had luck reusing the hyrdrolics after they had been frozen like this?

 

[danond]

Re: Alpha one will not trim in / down

They're like engine cylinders. If the cylinder and piston aren't scratched up and can be honed and surfaced without removing too much material, you're in good shape. Remove them from the boat, take them to a hydraulics shop. They'll be able to do the rebuild and tell you everything else.

It's not uncommon for them to get stuck in one position. You're probably OK, but I'd still suggest taking them in to be inspected once you have them apart.

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: Alpha one will not trim in / down

Have you tried putting a pipe through the hole in the end of the piston and twisting it? A little more leverage might free it up. Also, if the fluid level is too low the piston will extend until the pump runs out of fluid and then it won't retract... no matter how much you jump on it. Sounds like they are frozen up, but I would check fluid level for good measure...

 

[enderl25]

Re: Alpha one will not trim in / down

follow up:

i removed the cylinders from the boat and used a winch strap to compress them back to the closed (in) position. during this process, i determined that one of the fluid lines was leaking at it's compression fitting. after replacing the line, reinstalling both cylinders, and topping up the pump fluid reservoir, the trim system is fully operational again.

thanks for all the suggestions.