motor/tilt and trim problems

[castaway2002]

2001 Mercury 225 EFI, last week i was on plane and the motor started this knocking noise, it became louder and louder, i knew something wasnt right so i shut it down and trolled in. I was told by one mechanic that it wasnt his specialty but it could be a bearing in the powerhead, but he did say that it was a good thing that the motor would still start and wasnt locked up. I don't know where to start, everyone wants money just to look at it, all i want is to know the problem so i dont get ripped for money. The second thing is that the tilt and trim was working fine but one day it gave me problems, then the next trip more problem and now it doesnt work. All the tilt and trim will do is click (under the cowlin) i took the cowlin off with one mechanic and he messed with the wires and what not, then he said it could be that the brushes need replacing, then a friend told me today that it could be a cylinoid problem. At one point the tilt and trim stopped working completely the a few days later it started working, then when i was on the water it stopped again. I have to fix these problems, there going to cost me but I want to get advise from as my people as possible before I start putting my boat in the shop. I know the powerhead will be a mechanics job but can I buy parts for the tilt and trim and install them myself?

[EuropeanAM]

You very well COULD address the tilt/trim yourself.

Start by locating the two wire harness that comes FROM THE TRIM MOTOR up into the cowling.

Disconnect it at the "bullet connectors".

One wire is "blue" banded. Attach that wire directly to 12V+ power, and the other wire to a good ground. Motor should trim "up". Reverse the leads, and motor should trim "down".

If you have the above results- replace the trim solenoids.
In you DO NOT have the above results- replace the trim motor.

[castaway2002]

thanks, that tells me the motor is bad because the mechanic switched alot of wires around looking for the trim to work, he was trying to ground one wire to a bolt but had no luck so it must be a tilt/trim motor problem thanks, james

[Shef]

Smack the side of the trim motor. If it starts working then the motor is bad. Its like an old car starter. Just had mine replaced.