Thread: Tilt and Trim

In the first instance I wouldn't have expected a new setup to slowly bleed down but I'm not at all familiar with the Evinrude hydraulic system. I can only surmise that if it bleeds down now it will not improve over the service life of the engine.

When sitting in the fully trimmed up position there is going to be pressure behind the tilt ram and to my mind this is never something you want to leave in place for an extended duration. As noted by the collective experience above it just seems logical to store the boat with the motor trimmed down and the skeg resting on a block of wood so the loads are removed from the rams and seals are not left under excesive pressure.

If that ram bleeds down overnight I would investigate further because the last thing you want is for that to happen even more rapidly. That would cause you a number of potential issues in future, the worst of which might be some severe damage to the skeg while towing. I do use the Uplock when towing despite the OEM manual stating its for maintenance purposes. I figure it takes a little load off the primary ram on our rough roads but I have been looking at a better solution. Some of the motor wedges you can buy are shit though, I've seen a few that can actually damage the top wiper seal so thats a waste of time.

Maca, to be honest if it were mine I'd be trying to sort it out. I just hate things like that.

Originally Posted by planenutz

In the first instance I wouldn't have expected a new setup to slowly bleed down but I'm not at all familiar with the Evinrude hydraulic system. I can only surmise that if it bleeds down now it will not improve over the service life of the engine.

When sitting in the fully trimmed up position there is going to be pressure behind the tilt ram and to my mind this is never something you want to leave in place for an extended duration. As noted by the collective experience above it just seems logical to store the boat with the motor trimmed down and the skeg resting on a block of wood so the loads are removed from the rams and seals are not left under excesive pressure.

If that ram bleeds down overnight I would investigate further because the last thing you want is for that to happen even more rapidly. That would cause you a number of potential issues in future, the worst of which might be some severe damage to the skeg while towing. I do use the Uplock when towing despite the OEM manual stating its for maintenance purposes. I figure it takes a little load off the primary ram on our rough roads but I have been looking at a better solution. Some of the motor wedges you can buy are shit though, I've seen a few that can actually damage the top wiper seal so thats a waste of time.

Maca, to be honest if it were mine I'd be trying to sort it out. I just hate things like that.

@planenutz I leave the boat in a shed at my bach, I usually leave it just off vertical, unsupported. On average Im there twice a month, in two weeks it will lower approx 20mm, but it continues if left until the skeg has contacted the floor and pre loaded. The repair tech, about 20 yrs old, says Evinrude allow for movement down, but couldnt tell me how much and said he couldnt fault, had it sitting 3 days. I said, if its hydraulic, it should lock and not move, he said that was incorrect. I told him I was a retired Fitter and it must be new thinking with hydraulics, but if it was pneumatic I could understand. I think he is just a kid with no experience.
To have the engine serviced, as a matter of interest, being the first time from new, about 5 hours on the clock, $440.00 + gst labour plus a few parts and some grease, plus a computer read out on performance. Well first and lst time, theres SFA to do servicing a new outboard?

Originally Posted by Maca49

@planenutz I leave the boat in a shed at my bach, I usually leave it just off vertical, unsupported. On average Im there twice a month, in two weeks it will lower approx 20mm, but it continues if left until the skeg has contacted the floor and pre loaded. The repair tech, about 20 yrs old, says Evinrude allow for movement down, but couldnt tell me how much and said he couldnt fault, had it sitting 3 days. I said, if its hydraulic, it should lock and not move, he said that was incorrect. I told him I was a retired Fitter and it must be new thinking with hydraulics, but if it was pneumatic I could understand. I think he is just a kid with no experience.
To have the engine serviced, as a matter of interest, being the first time from new, about 5 hours on the clock, $440.00 + gst labour plus a few parts and some grease, plus a computer read out on performance. Well first and lst time, theres SFA to do servicing a new outboard?

I had my o/b serviced when under warranty but now do it myself by roughly following the checklist in the service manual. I grease nipples, change plugs, replace gear case oil, remove prop and grease spline and check for any general deterioration. I replace impellers on the 70 and aux 8 hp with no issues.
As I lake fish only these days and have two tanks, two batteries and two motors, I reckon I can get home under power…or blow ashore in a worse scenario.

Originally Posted by Ingrid 51

I had my o/b serviced when under warranty but now do it myself by roughly following the checklist in the service manual. I grease nipples, change plugs, replace gear case oil, remove prop and grease spline and check for any general deterioration. I replace impellers on the 70 and aux 8 hp with no issues.
As I lake fish only these days and have two tanks, two batteries and two motors, I reckon I can get home under power…or blow ashore in a worse scenario.

I towed it back from Taupo, because of two warranty issues. One the tilt and two the hydraulic steering, which they removed to fit the new motor. They didn’t bleed it correctly an if you pushed the motor right and left, the rod moved in the cylinder. He had a go at that, but couldn’t improve it. He actually did, but think his missed putting the sleeve back in the steering arm and the bolt now slops around. Like many tradesmen, it better to do it yourself and will in the future, as I did with my old outboard for twenty years. I’ll talk to the business owner on Monday.

Originally Posted by Maca49

I towed it back from Taupo, because of two warranty issues. One the tilt and two the hydraulic steering, which they removed to fit the new motor. They didn’t bleed it correctly an if you pushed the motor right and left, the rod moved in the cylinder. He had a go at that, but couldn’t improve it. He actually did, but think his missed putting the sleeve back in the steering arm and the bolt now slops around. Like many tradesmen, it better to do it yourself and will in the future, as I did with my old outboard for twenty years. I’ll talk to the business owner on Monday.

Talk to the owner of the business/franchise?
As an X business owner you certainly know how it works.

Give them a chance to make good.

And if not then.....

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Talk to the owner of the business/franchise?
As an X business owner you certainly know how it works.

Give them a chance to make good.

And if not then.....

Yep I’ll ring him on Monday, he’s a pretty good mechanic, I think the hired hand was the problem

Originally Posted by Maca49

@planenutz I leave the boat in a shed at my bach, I usually leave it just off vertical, unsupported. On average Im there twice a month, in two weeks it will lower approx 20mm, but it continues if left until the skeg has contacted the floor and pre loaded. The repair tech, about 20 yrs old, says Evinrude allow for movement down, but couldnt tell me how much and said he couldnt fault, had it sitting 3 days. I said, if its hydraulic, it should lock and not move, he said that was incorrect. I told him I was a retired Fitter and it must be new thinking with hydraulics, but if it was pneumatic I could understand. I think he is just a kid with no experience.
To have the engine serviced, as a matter of interest, being the first time from new, about 5 hours on the clock, $440.00 + gst labour plus a few parts and some grease, plus a computer read out on performance. Well first and lst time, theres SFA to do servicing a new outboard?

Unless this is something with their newer motors mine that has a good old thrashing doesn't do it, had a fairly newish 90 Etec on another boat years ago which I don't recall it doing that, but it may have?

Suggest maybe going on the web, if it is an issue with them guaranteed some yank will be bitch'n about it.......there will also be a several with dumb fixes, and one with correct fix.