Tilt/Trim Problems

K

KVH

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
150
I tightened the big nut on the tilt tube. No change. I’m still bouncing down. Also, I noted a grinding sound that disturbed me.

I still can’t check the tilt/trim fluid in the reservoir without it immediately running out when I take the cap off.

How likely is it that these problems are caused by air trapped in the system and thar I need to bleed the tilt trim motor and reservoir? Or is it sounding like I’m headed toward a removal and rebuild kit?

On bleeding trapped air, i’m concerned that if I loosen the release valve while the motor is on tilt lock and then re-tighten the valve, the motor might fall on the way down the moment I release the tilt lock. I’m uncertain about the process of re-pressurizing the system.

Any advice on the above would be great.
 
R

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
38,964
Salt water motor ?-----Corrosion between plastic bushings and the aluminum might be jamming up the pivot points.
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,417
The big nut on the tilt tube has nothing to do with the PTT system.

Grease the tilt tube. Usually there are zerk fittings for this. My '98 Johnny has two of them, as it is split in the middle.

Usually to fill the PTT system, tilt the motor up all the way, with the boat level. Now wait a few minutes for the air to bubble up to the top, open the cap and fill to overflow. Replace cap, tilt the motor all the way down and back up and wait. Refill, trim down, trim up, wait...repeat until there are no more bubbles.
 
S

saltchuckmatt

Commander
Joined
Jul 19, 2019
Messages
2,916
Chris1956 said:
The big nut on the tilt tube has nothing to do with the PTT system.

Grease the tilt tube. Usually there are zerk fittings for this. My '98 Johnny has two of them, as it is split in the middle.

Usually to fill the PTT system, tilt the motor up all the way, with the boat level. Now wait a few minutes for the air to bubble up to the top, open the cap and fill to overflow. Replace cap, tilt the motor all the way down and back up and wait. Refill, trim down, trim up, wait...repeat until there are no more bubbles.
Click to expand...
There is a torque spec for the big nut which helps the tilt unit work correctly.

In this case he may have overfilled his reservoir.
 
K

KVH

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
150
When I raise the motor all the way up to its highest level, fluid still runs out of the tilt reservoir when I open the cap.

I don’t hear any hissing sound or any excess air escaping. I have not bled the system.

I’ve had my motor serviced over the years, and I know that the zerc fittings on the tilt tube are almost impossible to reach. I recall one Mechanic saying he couldn’t get to them. I have been able to reach one of them, but not the other. I have a suspicion that tube is awfully dry.

About the torque specification on that nut, I tightened it as much as I could with two hands and a spanner wrench, as I’m not able to get my torque wrench in there, but I would guess I torqued it to 75 or 80 pounds.

Frustrating. I guess I’ll try bleeding next time.
 
S

saltchuckmatt

Commander
Joined
Jul 19, 2019
Messages
2,916
KVH said:
When I raise the motor all the way up to its highest level, fluid still runs out of the tilt reservoir when I open the cap.

I don’t hear any hissing sound or any excess air escaping. I have not bled the system.

I’ve had my motor serviced over the years, and I know that the zerc fittings on the tilt tube are almost impossible to reach. I recall one Mechanic saying he couldn’t get to them. I have been able to reach one of them, but not the other. I have a suspicion that tube is awfully dry.

About the torque specification on that nut, I tightened it as much as I could with two hands and a spanner wrench, as I’m not able to get my torque wrench in there, but I would guess I torqued it to 75 or 80 pounds.

Frustrating. I guess I’ll try bleeding next time.
Click to expand...
You can get 90 degree zerc fittings and install them where the straight ones are now. I've done that in the past.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top