Trim pump issue

[Rubysmith]

Hello all,
I was getting ready to take the boat out this weekend and realized the outboard will not trim up. When I press the up button the motor activates but no oil is pumped through. However, oil does pump through the other hose when I trim down. I read that if the outboard trims one way it could be the solenoid but would the motor still run if solenoid is bad?

Trim pump is SAE J1171

 

[GA_Boater]

What motor, Ruby?

SAE J1171 means it's Coast Guard approved for marine use, not a part number.

 

[Rubysmith]

The trim pump motor.

 

[GA_Boater]

What outboard?

 

[Rubysmith]

Sorry, I may not be using correct terms but I am referring to the part that the propeller is connected to. The part that goes up or down when pressing the trim button.

 

[GA_Boater]

What name is written on the upper side of the whole thing with the propeller?

Mercury. Johnson, etc.

 

[Rubysmith]

Alpha one mercruiser

 

[Rubysmith]

This is the pump

 

[GA_Boater]

Close enough to move to the right section.

Does the outdrive, the thing with the propeller, move up at all?

 

[Rubysmith]

Ok, thanks.

No, the outdrive does not move up at all. I am guessing it doesnt move because the pump is not pumping oil into it to make it work. But I am wondering if the whole pump is bad because in that case it shouldnt pump oil when trimming down either, right?

 

[GA_Boater]

First thing I would do is check the level of the fluid in the trim pump reservoir. It's the white plastic housing on the bottom of the trim pump assembly.

 

[Rubysmith]

That was the first thing I thought of as I've dealt with not having enough fluid before. I threw out the oil that was in there and added new oil to no avail.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... If the tank is full, 'n the motor is runnin', but no oil is comin' outa the lines,......

My 1st Guess is the motor's shaft snapped off where it goes into the pump,......

I'd pull the pump assembly, 'n bench test it,......

 

[Rubysmith]

How would I test it?

Also, from what I understand there are 3 parts to the pump. The motor, pump and reservoir. Is this correct? Can you please point out what part is the pump and which is the motor?

It also makes a different noise than the normal high pitched buzzing if that helps.

 

[GA_Boater]

2, 10 and 16 in order.

It has to come out to see what's wrong unless you are 18" tall.

In fact, depending on the boat, being 18" tall may be an advantage. They are often hard to get to, but your experience filling with oil should help.

 

[Rubysmith]

Ok, thanks for confirming that.

I have taken it out before so that is no problem but I am wondering how to test it.

I also disconnected the hose that the oil would pass through to see if oil comes out of the unit but it does not.

 

[Rubysmith]

So it definitely looks like there is something wrong with the pump part of the unit. Anyone have experience rebuilding? Or is the best option to just buy a new unit?

 

[Bondo]

So it definitely looks like there is something wrong with the pump part of the unit. Anyone have experience rebuilding? Or is the best option to just buy a new unit?

Ayuh,...... You can take it apart, 'n see if you can find what's broken,....

Then you could possibly replace only the broken bits,....

Or, just buy a replacement unit,.....

 

[Rubysmith]

Gottcha.

I was looking for just the pump part but didn't have any luck finding it online . Might just be time to replace!

Thanks for the help!

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Once you get the tank off, yer lookin' at the pump assembly, bolted to the bottom of the motor,.....