Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

[Dante04SRT]

--87 Merc 3.0 AlphaOne--

My Tilt/trim doesn't work very well, the motor runs, but there's not a lot of action going on. The rams are very "bad shock" feeling... I bought some tilt/trim fluid tonight and was going to add/replace my existing fluid tomorrow.

What is the process for adding or replacing it? Is it like bleeding a car's brakes or is it pretty easy for 1 person?

 

[Don S]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

The rams are very "bad shock" feeling

What does that mean??????

All the pumps and trim rams are self bleeding, just run them up and down.
How you fill them depends on which pump you have.
Describe the reservoir.

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

I haven't seen the reservoir. It may be behind one of the seats next to the motor cover, but its not directly in the "engine bay".

As for the bad shock feeling... I can manually push the trim up and the rams feel spongy, just like bad shocks on a car. I can't get the trim down, tho.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

I haven't seen the reservoir.

Find the Pump,......
Fill the Reservoir,......
Cycle it a few times,.......
Then come back,+ Tell Us whether That Fixed it........

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

Find the Pump,......

Where would I look for the pump itself?

Fill the Reservoir,......
Cycle it a few times,.......
Then come back,+ Tell Us whether That Fixed it........

Will do.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

Usually it's mounted Aft, Starboard-side.......Near the Battery,.........

 

[Tadd_P]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

the problem he is having sounds like something i just fixed last week i had a leak in one of the hoses and that is why i could push my motor up. Try looking for a leak in one of the hoses man that will probably fix it and for sure if you follow the hoses back you will find the resevoir!

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

I am assuming that this fluid is like brake fluid, or any other hydraulic fluid, correct? If so, does it also collect moisture over time, lessening its effectiveness? Is is possible to drain the rams and refill them? Also, about how much fluid would I need?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

Merc has recommended either Engine Oil or ATF over the years,.......

Brake Fliud is used for Brakes,........ And Only Brakes........

OK,..... a few Clutches maybe,......

But it's Not the Universal Hyd. Fluid,.......... Oil Is.........

 

[Tadd_P]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

the oil can collect moisture for sure and that is the hardest thing on a trim pump infact it can destroy it. My pump calls for regular 5w-30 oil and takes in about 3/4 qt. It all depends on how big that resevoir is man find that and make sure there isnt a leak somewhere cause it can cause real damage to that pump and beleive me they are not cheap to replace

 

[Don S]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

Here is the OEM service manual for your drive, transom shield, trim, and power steering. Might want to do some reading on what you want to do and get some backround before you do things.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

Just scroll down to the last page (the outline) and click on the letter of the section you want to look at.

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

Added some fluid to my EMPTY reservoir today and voila --- I HAVE TRIM!!

I am wondering why it was empty tho...

The trim is working up and down, but it still doesn't feel SOLID, I mean, should I be able to push down on the outdrive (when on the trailer) and have it go down, then recover in the up position?

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

OK, took the boat out again tonight and what did I find..... No trim fluid in the reservoir but fluid all over my carpet (behind the seats) and in my bilge/transom/water collection area! I looked at all of the fittings and they looked fine, and I did not notice anything leaking from the lower unit area while moving the trim up and done in the water (obviously we added some more fluid tonight).

Where is the cheapest place to get a replacement reservoir?

 

[Don S]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

Are you sure the reservoir is leaking? Could you see the leak? Where was it leaking, and what kind of pump is it. Hard to say where to find a reservoir with several types of reservoirs being a possibility.

 

[stug]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

my reservoir had a crack in it. It was stock, somebody over tightened the screw that holds the reservoir to the pump. SO a few vibrations, nasty wake's and misceleneous bouncing caused the reservoir to split on the bottom.
this is what the assembly looks like.

here is what I have now for a replacement.

well heres the box, i pitched the old resevoir.

i have this resevoir from arco as a exact replacement

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Adding/replacing trim/tilt fluid???

That one looks exactly like mine.