1989 VP Duo-Prop (DP-A) Trim Rupture?

[TomAnderson20619]

When pulling the boat from the water, I hit the tilt switch to raise the outdrive. It made all of the usual sounds, but didn't tilt up. I tried again and noticed an oil sheen coming from the outdrive area - and still no tilt movement. I believe the latch to keep the outdrive down during reverse had prevented the tilt function, the trim hydraulics overpressured and "ruptured" causing the oil sheen. I now have the outdrive off of the transom and am trying to find where the hydraulic oil came from. So far, nothing obvious. Is it possible that the hydraulics overpressured, released the pressure (don't know how), but kept the integrity of the hydraulic system - it wasn't actually a rupture? That is, nothing is broken, just needs to top off the hydraulic oil?
When something like this happens, is it more likely to be the trim cylinder or hoses? (assuming something actually broke.)

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard

the latch has nothing to do with tilt/trim on a 290 or DPA, especially when trimming up.

your 32 year old boat either has a blown seal in one of the cylinders or a line is bad. my guess corrosion in either a hard line or the end of a soft line, or the soft line simply died from old age (hydraulic lines do not last forever).

to replace the lines or to pull the cylinder for re-sealing......... technically you should be able to do this with the motor in the boat, it is easiest to pull the drive, pull the motor, then pull the transom shield and put it on the bench.

 

[QBhoy]

As said above, it should have nothing to do with the reverse lock catch...unless someone has installed the old usual quick fix of a worn catch...as in the old zip tie the drive down trick...that stops the drive throwing itself up in reverse when the catch is worn. More common than you’d believe !! But that would be obvious. Even Then, its more likely not the issue.
good to remember that even a tiny leak of as small as a drip, of oil will look massive in the water.
likely you have a tiny leak at the ram seals or your ball check valves aren’t holding inside the pump. The latter being a very very common issue on your particular trim pump. It’s likely the same all in one unit I had on my 89.