Assistance Needed - How To Manually Tilt Large Outboard

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Author Topic:   Assistance Needed - How To Manually Tilt Large Outboard

themclos posted 05-02-2011 10:45 AM ET (US)
My 2002 225 HP Mercury Optimax is stuck in the down position. There is power to the tilt/trim motor, but it looks as if a seal broke or leaked, as there was a considerable amount of hydraulic fluid leaking after I tried to raise the motor for the first time this spring.
Given the height of my boat on the trailer, I need to have the motor tilted up to trailer the boat to the mechanic.
I do not need the official Mercury troubleshooting instructions. I have those. I loosened the Manual Relief valve, which is necessary before attempting to manually tilt the outboard.
My question is one of brute force. The outboard is 505 lbs, and manually tilting it looks to require a group effort. In addition to lifting the lower end outward and upward, and pulling the engine housing forward, somebody will need to activate the support arm once the motor has been raised enough.
Any tips or tricks you can pass on before I bribe a few friends with some beer in exchange for their sweat?
Thanks,
Dan
weekendwarrior posted 05-02-2011 12:49 PM ET (US)
I did this years and years ago with a merc 150 that had a broken hydraulic line (back when the trim pump was separate and mounted in the boat). We did it with just a couple of guys. From memory, it wasn't all that heavy for a couple of people working together, just be sure the trailer is attached to something or chocked so it won't roll.
Jeff posted 05-02-2011 01:36 PM ET (US)
Dan,
It is an easy operation so long as you open the hydraulic bypass on your tilt system. The motor should be balanced enough that you should be able to tilt it on your own but, another person helping would be better. Once you get it tilted just flip the trailer support arm that is on the bracket down and let the motor rest on that. Be sure and close the bypass once you get the motor tilted.
themclos posted 05-02-2011 04:30 PM ET (US)
I was only able to move it a little on my own.
Perhaps that tells me the manual release valve was not opened enough and did not relieve the vacuum to the hydraulic system. When I attempted to lift it, the motor did not move freely and it felt like I was fighting the whole thing. Perhaps I never opened it far enough.
I will try to open it further. Unfortunately, the screw is plastic and becoming stripped. Regardless, it will need to be replace, but it is not in good shape.
Thanks
themclos posted 05-03-2011 08:23 PM ET (US)
Well, I was able to loosen the manual relief valve. Unfortunately, the slot stripped, so I needed to use a screw extractor to loosen the valve sufficiently.
I was able to move the motor enough to see that I will be able to raise it with some assistance.
I will order a replacement valve and see if I can get the tilt and trim motor functional before heading to the mechanic.
Unfortunately, I doubt I have the time to tackle this myself.
So much for getting on the water this weekend. I had just finished completely rewiring the boat.
Dan
Jefecinco posted 05-04-2011 10:00 AM ET (US)
Over the years I've learned the boat trailer can be a useful tool for getting around the lack of a lifting device for the outboard.
Admittedly my 115 and 135 HP engines don't compare to large six cylinder engines but the use of the trailer should be viable for the larger engines, too.
Most recently I was able to raise the engine mounting height on the 115 HP engine without a hoist or an assistant.
A lot of things can be done by the use of blocking and cribbing material and the trailer tongue jack.
As always when working with loads due caution and wheel chocks should always be used.
Butch
themclos posted 05-05-2011 11:21 AM ET (US)
I picked up a replacement relief valve yesterday. $46 for a 3 inch molded piece of plastic with 3 O-rings on it.
You have to love marine pricing.
Now to get the motor lifted, and take a look at the trim motor.
Dan
kwik_wurk posted 05-05-2011 12:41 PM ET (US)
Try blocks of wood and a car jack.
Jack up a few inches, shim with wood. (When it gets high enough you can wedge a horizontal wood block in the area where the trim tilt is.
Just be safe, the engine has nothing keeping it from swinging/falling down except your work.

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Author	Topic: Assistance Needed - How To Manually Tilt Large Outboard
themclos	posted 05-02-2011 10:45 AM ET (US) My 2002 225 HP Mercury Optimax is stuck in the down position. There is power to the tilt/trim motor, but it looks as if a seal broke or leaked, as there was a considerable amount of hydraulic fluid leaking after I tried to raise the motor for the first time this spring. Given the height of my boat on the trailer, I need to have the motor tilted up to trailer the boat to the mechanic. I do not need the official Mercury troubleshooting instructions. I have those. I loosened the Manual Relief valve, which is necessary before attempting to manually tilt the outboard. My question is one of brute force. The outboard is 505 lbs, and manually tilting it looks to require a group effort. In addition to lifting the lower end outward and upward, and pulling the engine housing forward, somebody will need to activate the support arm once the motor has been raised enough. Any tips or tricks you can pass on before I bribe a few friends with some beer in exchange for their sweat? Thanks, Dan
weekendwarrior	posted 05-02-2011 12:49 PM ET (US) I did this years and years ago with a merc 150 that had a broken hydraulic line (back when the trim pump was separate and mounted in the boat). We did it with just a couple of guys. From memory, it wasn't all that heavy for a couple of people working together, just be sure the trailer is attached to something or chocked so it won't roll.
Jeff	posted 05-02-2011 01:36 PM ET (US) Dan, It is an easy operation so long as you open the hydraulic bypass on your tilt system. The motor should be balanced enough that you should be able to tilt it on your own but, another person helping would be better. Once you get it tilted just flip the trailer support arm that is on the bracket down and let the motor rest on that. Be sure and close the bypass once you get the motor tilted.
themclos	posted 05-02-2011 04:30 PM ET (US) I was only able to move it a little on my own. Perhaps that tells me the manual release valve was not opened enough and did not relieve the vacuum to the hydraulic system. When I attempted to lift it, the motor did not move freely and it felt like I was fighting the whole thing. Perhaps I never opened it far enough. I will try to open it further. Unfortunately, the screw is plastic and becoming stripped. Regardless, it will need to be replace, but it is not in good shape. Thanks
themclos	posted 05-03-2011 08:23 PM ET (US) Well, I was able to loosen the manual relief valve. Unfortunately, the slot stripped, so I needed to use a screw extractor to loosen the valve sufficiently. I was able to move the motor enough to see that I will be able to raise it with some assistance. I will order a replacement valve and see if I can get the tilt and trim motor functional before heading to the mechanic. Unfortunately, I doubt I have the time to tackle this myself. So much for getting on the water this weekend. I had just finished completely rewiring the boat. Dan
Jefecinco	posted 05-04-2011 10:00 AM ET (US) Over the years I've learned the boat trailer can be a useful tool for getting around the lack of a lifting device for the outboard. Admittedly my 115 and 135 HP engines don't compare to large six cylinder engines but the use of the trailer should be viable for the larger engines, too. Most recently I was able to raise the engine mounting height on the 115 HP engine without a hoist or an assistant. A lot of things can be done by the use of blocking and cribbing material and the trailer tongue jack. As always when working with loads due caution and wheel chocks should always be used. Butch
themclos	posted 05-05-2011 11:21 AM ET (US) I picked up a replacement relief valve yesterday. $46 for a 3 inch molded piece of plastic with 3 O-rings on it. You have to love marine pricing. Now to get the motor lifted, and take a look at the trim motor. Dan
kwik_wurk	posted 05-05-2011 12:41 PM ET (US) Try blocks of wood and a car jack. Jack up a few inches, shim with wood. (When it gets high enough you can wedge a horizontal wood block in the area where the trim tilt is. Just be safe, the engine has nothing keeping it from swinging/falling down except your work.