Tilt problem--different than the others posted (really!)

[tcmje]

My boat motor is a 1987 3.0 with an OMC Cobra outdrive. I believe it is a 400 series.<br /><br />My tilt was stuck down, so I started the process of elimination. I checked all my connections... everything was good. So, then, I took the tilt motor off and I noticed that the coupler between the motor and the worm gear shaft was broken. (I think that is what it is called.) So I replaced that and put the motor back on and it still didn't work... only clicking. So I took the motor back off and examined it more closely and I couldn't seem to figure out what the problem was, so I went outside on the drive and took the gear box that is just under the worm gear shaft housing and examined those gears. Everything looked fine, so I took the plate that is on the end of the shaft housing off and lifted on the outdrive. That made the worm gear come out. I checked to see if the shaft is free-turning (which I believe it should be) but it is not. I need to know my next step and if that next step is taking the shaft out, how do I do that? It looks to be corroded on the inside of the transem where the motor mounts, maybe even machined in. Will I have to take it to the shop, or can I do it myself?<br /><br />Tracy

 

[sroger007]

Re: Tilt problem--different than the others posted (really!)

Not sure I understand what all you've done to the outdrive but here's my take on the tilt problem. I assume the drive was free to tilt - you checked by simply lifting to see that it was free to ove correct? Even if the solnoid is clicking it still can be bad or the connections on the secondary side are corroded. First clean the terminal connections. If still no dice I suspect the solenoid is bad. You can check this as well but you need a multimeter. There are several ways to test. First disconnect battery. The most generic test is to remove the hot side of the secondary if you know it or both sides if not sure (insulate these with tape). reconnect the battery, activate the trim/tilt button and measure the continuity/resistance between the two secondary lugs/terminals. It should be close to zero - a few ohms at most. Anything higher indicates a bad solenoid. replace the solenoid.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Tilt problem--different than the others posted (really!)

Tcmje<br />I do not understand your post. To start with the OMC Cobra came out in 1985 it uses hydrolic cylinders to raise the out drive. The OMC series 400 Stringer was made up until 1985. What you describbed does sound like a OMC Stringer 3.0 series 400.<br /><br />If you have a Cobra drive do not even read beyond this point. The OMC manual has very good troubleshooting.<br /><br />If it is a series 400 not a Cobra then I would put it back together and replace the 50 amp fuse on the starboard side near the starter. I have seen very few solenoid problems. The solenoids will click with out the fuse as it supplies power to the contacts. The pick circuit is on the other fuse. Since you know how to pull the motor after you check the fuse if it still does not work then pull the motor and try it. If it turns ok then the problem can be the tilt clutch or a bound up outdrive piviot pins. The pin should be greased with the zert fittings once or twice a year. The tilt clutch should have motor oil in it not gear oil or water.<br /><br />If the motor does not turn then trace the wires back to the tilt solenoides. If you get power to the wires and the motor does not turn then it has bad brushes or it's burned up. IF you can not trace the wire back then use a pin to get thru the insulation on the wire and check the voltage that way. You should get battery voltage +12 or -12 for going up or down.<br /><br />The shaft that your are talking about being free turning. If this is the one that goes to the small gear to raise the outdrive then no it should not be free turning. If that shaft was free turning the outdrive would fall down.