1989 50hp force leakdown

[woodrow2929]

Ok so I know that there are plenty of post on here for this very issue and I’ve done some research but I’m just confirming some things. But I have a 50hp force with a tilt trim I added myself, everything was running and working fine until one day when I got off the lake I thought I had lifted the engine all the way up to trailer the boat and my dad realized the engine wasn’t up at all and that’s how we discovered that there was a leakdown.

I have realized that that it’s not in the trim part of the system and when you let it all the way down to the trim part it’s doesnt go anywhere but when you let the weight get on the tilt tube (gas shock looking thing) it slowly lets down and make a slight noise when letting down around the tube, I guess my question is would be issue be in the tube or in the motor where the check valves etc is at? And can I take the tube off without having to take the whole engine off? I have a prestolite motor assembly (has 4 Phillips head on the bottom) any advice would help.

if it is that I have heard there is a guy on here that is a pro at this stuff rrit I believe?

thanks guys!

 

[jerryjerry05]

Sadly RRitt's no longer with us

Usually the drift down is the 2 seals in the bottom of the pump.

There are test/ repair procedures in the top few posts in this forum.
Just because it stops at the trim means nothing.
The path of least resistance is what's happening there.

Oh it's possible the trim ram needs a rebuild but most times the pump is the problem.

There is NOTHING in the pump that you can repair.
You start taking that apart? then you'll end up buying new.
The valves are usually the problem.

IF??? it's EVER been in salt water?? they're harder to work on.

Do the recommended tests and see where the problem is.

Sent you a PM

 

[woodrow2929]

Oh man I am behind on times I am so sorry to hear that!

I havent taken anything apart yet and I assume that this has not been in any saltwater, although I did buy it from ebay so I have idea on the history of it.

I will look into how to do test on this.
Thanks Jerry

 

[woodrow2929]

In case anybody was wondering I have replaced the valve body seals myself as instructed,however, I am still getting a very gradual letdown may an 1” every hour or so and I’m sure I can live with it but I’m concerned it will only get worse. Maybe I missed something?

i did use the quicksilver trim and steering fluid from bass pro perhaps it’s too thin?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Does it leakdown all the way or stop at the trim rod?

You perform the leakdown tests described in the stickeys?
If not?? then there's no way to tell what's wrong??

 

[woodrow2929]

No it doesn’t leakdown all the way, or at least it didn’t last night, and yes I should have done that I guess I was being cheap and trying to just do the easiest thing possible.
ill have to tear it apart again and check it out.

 

[woodrow2929]

So I have taken my valve body back apart fearing I have done something wrong and upon unscrewing one of the allen keyed valves it shot out and the top help stayed in attached to the shuttle valve for some reason, I check the shuttle valve o ring and it seems just fine, so maybe i didnt press that cap in there correctly? however what about my valve body? anybody else do this job and notice anything out of the ordinary? it doesnt look like other pics of them so I was curious.
Thanks!

 

[jerryjerry05]

Looks normal.
Just don't take it apart.

 

[woodrow2929]

Update: I still have a small leakdown, I think that its coming from the tilt ram and will have to fix it up.