Hello all. My first post here. Hoping to get some help. I have a 1989 Mercury Alpha 1 and was on the water the other day and my outdrive got stuck in the up position. I had to use my trolling motor to get back to the dock and on the trailer. I looked in the reservoir and the oil was milky like it had water or air in it. Thought it might just need clean fluid and a bleed. I do not have the proper tools to do a pressure check. Here is where it's at. I can lower the unit all the way down but if I try to physically hold the outdrive while trying to lower it (wifes help) I can actually keep it from dropping down. When I raise it up I can literally stand on it and it will lift me up. Im assuming I do not have adequate pressure for the down side. I have not replaced any relief valves or any parts but Im not sure what the problem is. If I raise the motor all the way up until the pump really bottoms out then I cannot lower it anymore. If I loosen the pressure lines at the cylinder for a second to relieve pressure then I am able to lower the unit. I can raise and lower the unit over and over again as long as I don't go all the way up. Still though, it has no power pushing it down. really weak. It used to almost want to lift up the boat off the trailer if it ever hit the ground. It is an old unit. Should I replace the entire assembly? I found some aftermarket units for $300 in ebay. Do any of you think it might just need a down pressure relief valve, pump rebuild kit, or adaptor? Any help would be great. Thanks in advance.
Joe
Joe
