Does trim require special hydraulic fluid?

[Woodwrangler]

Hi y'all! We have a Johnson outboard 100 HP. I've been having problems with the trim. The motor is good, but I just can't get it to rise once it has been lowered. I put regular hydraulic fluid in it. It worked once and then the next time I lowered it I couldn't raise it again.

The guy fixing it thinks maybe I need a SPECIAL hydraulic fluid. Maybe the regular fluid is not correct one to use. Can this be true? If so does it have a special name?

Sorry if I sound stupid about this, but I'm just a lady trying to use her boat in Costa Rica.

Thanks for any help.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Does trim require special hydraulic fluid?

just use omc trim fluid and be done with it.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Does trim require special hydraulic fluid?

PTT units use Automatic Transmission Fluid. If you used something like hydraulic jack oil, I would recommend you dump it out and refill with ATF.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Does trim require special hydraulic fluid?

If they guy fixing your boat doesn't know I'd find another fixer. There is tilt and trim fluid. How it compares to other oils I have no idea.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Does trim require special hydraulic fluid?

PTT units use Automatic Transmission Fluid. If you used something like hydraulic jack oil, I would recommend you dump it out and refill with ATF.

That is not true. Hydraulic oil is engineered for hydraulics and Automatic Transmission Fluid is engineered for automatic transmissions. If your trim system operates at high pressures then ATF will reduce its life span as compared to quality hydraulic oils. The main advantage of ATF is that it is more profitable to use it in recreational boating and nobody uses their boat trim enough to wear it out before warranty expires.

That said, use the OMC stuff in the OMC bottle. OMC operates at lower pressures and it will avoid any risk of confusion. The worst case scenario is using an oil or ATF that has additives. Most oil additives will significantly shorten the life of your system.