Power trim "crunching" noise

[honkbert]

I have a 1994 90HP Yamaha on a 17' Key West.

Recently, this started happening: sometimes when I lower the motor, it makes a slight but distinct crunching noise. As far as I can tell, the noise only happens when the trim pistons are engaged (as opposed to just the tilt piston). The crunching sounds like the crunching of hollow seashells under your foot. There is nothing visibly unusual with the power trim unit, and I don't see any obstructing debris.

I live on a canal with a lot of weeds. I troll out with the prop tilted up high (almost breaking the surface). Once I'm on the lake and ready to gas it, I lower the motor. That's usually when I hear the crunching noise.

More consistent, however, than the crunching noise is a "waviness" to the power trim. Before all this started happening, the power trim made its very consistent high pitch whir as the motor would be lowered. Now, once the power trim pistons are engaged, that "whir" wavers slightly in pitch and volume.

[GlennB]

Put a dab of water proof grease on the ends of the trim rods and the noise will disappear. Very common.

[Trent_in_BG]

Mine did the same thing until I had the shop add some grease to the rods. They said it is common.

[Rodney Bledsoe]

Honkbert Welcome to BBC

[SkeeterJohn]

Had the same thing when i first picked my '05 boat up 6 weeks ago... read on bbc about a dab of grease and it worked like a charm..

[honkbert]

Thanks!

[chatece]

can anyone tell me which is "appropriate" ?:?:? When i install my motor toter on my Yamaha 225HDPI, should i enable the pistons to go ALL the way down, or just far enough to allow the weight of the engine to rest on the motor toter and the trailer roller? Never can tell what is right or not.........thanks.

[phillic]

Snug to the the motor and roller is all the pressure you need or at least thats all I've done for the past twenty plus years with no issues. There should be a bungee cord to strap around the motor attached to the toter

[FlukenLizard]

I run my trim rods all the way down, I dunno why....dont see why it would hurt either way though

[skeeterrulz37]

when trimming motor down to "travel over the road" trim just enough for the motor to be snug , if you run the twin cylinders all the way in you are putting undo pressure on the system ......