Tilting outdrive then BANG...

[thunderroad]

I was raising the outdrive when I heard the pump pull down a little. I thought it must be getting close to the top but before I could let off the button...BANG...one of the cylinders splits wide open...<br />What could have caused that? It's always worked great. Just one of those freak deals, maybe? Can I just buy a new housing?<br />Dang...just got it to shift into reverse and now this. I'm resisting the temptation to grab a for sale sign at wal-mart.<br />oh yeah..160 merc sn. 2497444

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Tilting outdrive then BANG...

Thunder,Been there done that. Parts are available but are difficult to rebuild,do yourself a favor and buy two new cylinders and keep the remaining good one for a spare,change the fluid in the pump as some water might have been ingested if the boat was in the water. You may also want to change the connecting hydraulic lines as they may be ready to pop as well.Just my $0.02

 

[Don S]

Re: Tilting outdrive then BANG...

What could have caused that? It's always worked great. Just one of those freak deals, maybe?

It's almost 40 years old. I'm amazed any of it still works.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Tilting outdrive then BANG...

Dang...just got it to shift into reverse and now this.

My Guess Is,..........<br /><br />When you were Fixing your Reverse Issue,.....<br /><br />You Unfixed the Reverse Lock Unit that's Probably mounted on the inside of the transom somewhere.........<br /><br />The Lines are stronger than the Cyl. Tubes,..... That's Why they Split.....<br /><br />NAPA will sell you Any of the Pieces you Want.......<br />Ebay is where the wise money is spent in My book.......

 

[ziggy]

Re: Tilting outdrive then BANG...

man, that's one old trim cyl. says alot for merc that it did last 40 or so years. bet it did go bang when it went. from what i understand trim rams acheive 3000-4000 psi.. please correct me if i'm not hip.... bang....ebay might be a good sorce. i don't like them myself, i just aint a bidder i guess. but themz rams is probably rebuildable if ya end up gettin some that need service, as oppossed to the newer ones that ya just R&R....that's the way i get it anyways......

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Tilting outdrive then BANG...

Bondo...please explain about the reverse lock and it's relation to the trim cylinders. I very well could have done something by accident while I was working on the reverse problem. The way the pump pulled down suggested to me that something was binding it. It just happened too fast for me to get it stopped. <br />The boat is old but I'm the second owner and the original owner took good care of it. I use it about 10 afternoons a year on the Missouri River so I will admit to cutting a few corners on occasion. I took the cylinder off and am taking it to work with me tomorrow and have one of our mechanics dissasemble it. If he thinks he can rebuild it I'll buy the parts. I know buying two new ones would be better but that ain't gonna happen.<br />thanks

 

[JasonB]

Re: Tilting outdrive then BANG...

I rebuilt my two trim cyls a couple years ago and it isn't too bad if you have a decent book on it. You just have to watch all the check balls and seals/o-rings.