2002 Mercury 225 EFI tilt/trim leak

2002 Mercury 225 EFI tilt/trim leak.

I've added some images to try to get some opinions.

You can see the staining coming from the bottom up, and notice the right lower section is more oily with a dab of oil/fluid between the center and right section. The left side doesn't have this leak.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/c...t/DSC02893.jpg

Close ups of the oily right section.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/c...t/DSC02895.jpg

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/c...t/DSC02896.jpg

I've been told I need to reseal the unit, or get it resealed if it's not a DIY job. I'm a pretty handy guy so there's a good amount of work I can handle myself.

Thoughts?

Thanks for any help!

Will

Will:

You definitely need to reseal this unit.

You MAY be capable of doing this yourself. However, I would STRONGLY recommend that you have the following available BEFORE proceeding:

-OEM Mercury Repair Manual for your engine
-Various spanner wrenches
-Variety of basic hand-tools
-Lifting Crane and Lifting Eye to support engine while one mounting bracket is removed
-VERY clean and dry area to perform the reseal
-Power Trim Repair Kit (Part# 878408A1)
-Mercury or Quicksilver Power Trim and Steering Fluid

I don't normally recommend this as a DIY project... unless you have moderate mechanical/hydraulic experience. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

Ok, sounds like I'll be taking it in.

Would it be OK to run it for a while before I get it fixed? In the meantime I'd be topping it off, but what position does the motor have to be in to check the fluid and fill?

Will:

Fluid level check is done with the engine FULLY TILTED UP, and the safety latch set (see your owner's manual for complete details).

HOWEVER.... you must remember, that anytime there is a leak in the system (where fluid can leak out) - there is ALSO A POTENTIAL FOR WATER TO LEAK IN. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/eyes.gif

Thank you Don!

sorry for hijacking your post. The starboard trim ram cap in this picture appears to be "wet". Both of my trim rams appear "wet" like this one but don't leak fluid and my trim works great. Should I replace my ram seals?

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by jxb9723 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">sorry for hijacking your post. The starboard trim ram cap in this picture appears to be "wet". Both of my trim rams appear "wet" like this one but don't leak fluid and my trim works great. Should I replace my ram seals?</td></tr></table>

Clean the affected area with degreaser or detergent. Allow to dry COMPLETELY.

Place the engine in the "trim" range (about where you'd run @ WOT)... and leave it there overnight (no engine support).

Inspect the next day for signs of dampness or seepage.... if it's present, better replace the seals or endcap assembly.

Out of curiosity, how is the best way to purge the tilt/trim system of fluid while the unit is still on the boat motor?

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by SuperG &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Out of curiosity, how is the best way to purge the tilt/trim system of fluid while the unit is still on the boat motor?</td></tr></table>

Really- it's not possible. To drain/flush the unit, it must be COMPLETELY disassembled.

However- it is possible to drain SOME of the fluid from the system, if the manual-release valve is REMOVED (tricky to do... but it can be done). I'd estimate you'll get approximately 50-60% of the fluid volume this way.

Wow, that's a poor design. Sure keeps the average joe from doing his own troubleshooting.

MOST hydraulic systems are this way. There may be a "sump" that can be drained- but it still leaves a relatively substantial volume of fluid within cylinders, lines, passages, valves, etc. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

Every hydraulic system I have ever worked on or built had a drain plug for the resivoir. Of course these were industrial systems, not such a small scale.

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by SuperG &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Every hydraulic system I have ever worked on or built had a drain plug for the resivoir. Of course these were industrial systems, not such a small scale.</td></tr></table>

Good point. Although I don't service "industrial" hydraulics... I've done my share of equipment work over the years, and agree that on most of those, there is a drain for the resevoir.

It however doesn't drain ALL fluid either (there's still fluid resident in lines, valves, cylinders, etc). http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

True. All I know is when the time comes for the reseal I'd like any water that would be in there to get out of there. lol

Not sure if you have hydraulic steering or not but mine looked the same as yours 2004 Opti and it ended up the hyd steering was leaking down my jack plate onto the bottom of the tilt/trim cylinder and made it appear the tilt/trim was leaking when in fact it was not.

I have hydraulic steering, but I am positive it is the tilt trim that it is leaking.