OMC trim creeps down overnight-No visible leaks

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Author Topic:   OMC trim creeps down overnight-No visible leaks

Blackduck posted 05-06-2006 10:25 AM ET (US)
I have a 1988 Evinrude 90 that isn't maintaining the trim possition overnight. There are no visible fluid leaks. Any ideas?
deepwater posted 05-06-2006 11:03 AM ET (US)
If its not leaking outside than it must be leaking back into the tank. Have you checked the level and color ?
Blackduck posted 05-06-2006 11:19 AM ET (US)
Red purple and full!
jimh posted 05-06-2006 12:16 PM ET (US)
The hydraulic actuator may have a bad seal or there is a bad check valve in the system. Or perhaps some air in the system. Try running it up and down through the range a few times, then check the level again.
The maintenance manual probably has details for you. The OMC manual for my 1990 engine has an extensive description of how the hydraulic system operates.
jimh posted 05-06-2006 12:17 PM ET (US)
Red fluid? That sounds like transmission fluid. Most of the hydraulic fluid I've seen is clear. That might be worth a check with a good OMC mechanic. Maybe one will drop by.
cbgann posted 05-07-2006 09:17 AM ET (US)
Before you tear the actuator apart: Consider draining the actuator and refill with HD power steering stop leak and conditioner. Have used on several systems with good results. I'm with jimh, clear power steering fluid is more typical. Good luck, Bill
Blackduck posted 05-13-2006 10:22 AM ET (US)
There was air in the system that escaped on opening the fill for a second time.
You could hear it leaving!
jimh posted 05-14-2006 11:34 AM ET (US)
Bill--Thanks for the tip on power steering fluid stop leak. That sounds like something to try before tearing into a rebuild.
lorin posted 05-14-2006 11:44 AM ET (US)
Another possibility for it not maintaining tilt position is a loose or faulty manual release valve. Make sure the valve is turned all the way in-but dont overtighten. If I recall correctly, a bad oring on the valve may allow fluid to pass internally resulting in creep down. Inspecting it would require removing the valve completely by unscrewing it, and then inspecting the oring.One other thing, we used to use a lot of the OMC Power Tilt Trim Steering Fluid (I think that's what it was called). I believe it came out of the tube clear or slightly yellow/brown in color, but after being in the tilt trim unit a while it would always turn red.
The Judge posted 05-15-2006 02:19 PM ET (US)
Red is right on OMC's they use ATF fluid.
There is a one-way check valve that is bad. Only way to repair is rebuild. This is why God invented the trailer lock. If she holds while running, just use the lock thingy at night until it gets worse.
twood1979 posted 05-24-2006 10:10 AM ET (US)
Just for my knowledge, what would enable it to keep position while running but not while turned off?
Thanks
swist posted 05-24-2006 11:12 AM ET (US)
It probably does creep while underway but you'd have to run for days without touching the trim before it would move enough to notice.
I had a 1993 Yamaha 225 that had the creep problem almost from day one. It was very slight and no one ever found the cause. I only noticed myself because on that boat the full up position put the engine just barely out of the water. If I left it up for a day or so without the trailer lock I might find the skeg an inch under water.
It wasn't worth fixing, at least not in my case.

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Author	Topic: OMC trim creeps down overnight-No visible leaks
Blackduck	posted 05-06-2006 10:25 AM ET (US) I have a 1988 Evinrude 90 that isn't maintaining the trim possition overnight. There are no visible fluid leaks. Any ideas?
deepwater	posted 05-06-2006 11:03 AM ET (US) If its not leaking outside than it must be leaking back into the tank. Have you checked the level and color ?
Blackduck	posted 05-06-2006 11:19 AM ET (US) Red purple and full!
jimh	posted 05-06-2006 12:16 PM ET (US) The hydraulic actuator may have a bad seal or there is a bad check valve in the system. Or perhaps some air in the system. Try running it up and down through the range a few times, then check the level again. The maintenance manual probably has details for you. The OMC manual for my 1990 engine has an extensive description of how the hydraulic system operates.
jimh	posted 05-06-2006 12:17 PM ET (US) Red fluid? That sounds like transmission fluid. Most of the hydraulic fluid I've seen is clear. That might be worth a check with a good OMC mechanic. Maybe one will drop by.
cbgann	posted 05-07-2006 09:17 AM ET (US) Before you tear the actuator apart: Consider draining the actuator and refill with HD power steering stop leak and conditioner. Have used on several systems with good results. I'm with jimh, clear power steering fluid is more typical. Good luck, Bill
Blackduck	posted 05-13-2006 10:22 AM ET (US) There was air in the system that escaped on opening the fill for a second time. You could hear it leaving!
jimh	posted 05-14-2006 11:34 AM ET (US) Bill--Thanks for the tip on power steering fluid stop leak. That sounds like something to try before tearing into a rebuild.
lorin	posted 05-14-2006 11:44 AM ET (US) Another possibility for it not maintaining tilt position is a loose or faulty manual release valve. Make sure the valve is turned all the way in-but dont overtighten. If I recall correctly, a bad oring on the valve may allow fluid to pass internally resulting in creep down. Inspecting it would require removing the valve completely by unscrewing it, and then inspecting the oring.One other thing, we used to use a lot of the OMC Power Tilt Trim Steering Fluid (I think that's what it was called). I believe it came out of the tube clear or slightly yellow/brown in color, but after being in the tilt trim unit a while it would always turn red.
The Judge	posted 05-15-2006 02:19 PM ET (US) Red is right on OMC's they use ATF fluid. There is a one-way check valve that is bad. Only way to repair is rebuild. This is why God invented the trailer lock. If she holds while running, just use the lock thingy at night until it gets worse.
twood1979	posted 05-24-2006 10:10 AM ET (US) Just for my knowledge, what would enable it to keep position while running but not while turned off? Thanks
swist	posted 05-24-2006 11:12 AM ET (US) It probably does creep while underway but you'd have to run for days without touching the trim before it would move enough to notice. I had a 1993 Yamaha 225 that had the creep problem almost from day one. It was very slight and no one ever found the cause. I only noticed myself because on that boat the full up position put the engine just barely out of the water. If I left it up for a day or so without the trailer lock I might find the skeg an inch under water. It wasn't worth fixing, at least not in my case.