Strawberry milk in my trim resevoir...

[Dasherga]

I have a 1998 3.0 with a sx-m out drive. I was filling the trim reservoir and noticed the milky fluid, not all of it was milky there was like a top layer of clean bright red fluid. Can anyone tell me where I need to start trying to find my problem? The boat has not been in the water yet this year, one thing after another. When I washed the motor down could water have gotten in there?

 

[Scott Danforth]

is it milky, or just frothy?

if its frothy, your a bit low on fluid and you are getting air bubbles

if its milky, you have a moisture leak, however the moisture would be on the bottom.

I would change the fluid, and look to see if you notice any leaks from fittings, the rams them selves, etc.

 

[Dasherga]

It's definitely milky. I emptied the tank, as best I could, refilled and bled the air out at home. I couldn't see any leaks and the fluid was bright red. So I took it to the lake, ran for about 20 min. and it was milky again. Could that have been residual fluid left in the lines? Also, shouldn't I see oil leaking into the water?

 

[mikeneal]

Leaking rams are sucking water I to system. VP says they are not serviceable but people (including me have rebuilt them) . If you do a search it has been discussed a fair amount or pm me if you get stuck.

 

[mikeneal]

Leaking rams are sucking water into system. VP says they are not serviceable but people (including me have rebuilt them) . If you do a search it has been discussed a fair amount or pm me if you get stuck.

 

[Dasherga]

Hey Mike I sent you a pm but couldn't tell for sure if it went through. If I post it here maybe it'll help somebody else one day.

Thanks for answering my questions.I have a few more if you don't mind . 1. Is 985060( $46.75) the right part number? 2. Do I need to replace both? 3. If not how do I know which one is leaking?

 

[mikeneal]

Mine was obvious because the chrome plating failed and that took the seal out. I made a spanner to take the ram apart and then had the shaft replated. I took the hydraulic seals to a local hydraulic shop and they matched the seals up. If both your ram shafts look clear then perhaps rebuilt them both, as I recall the seals themselves were very inexpensive.