Help! Power Tilt/Trim is "Screeching"

[Mark Hofman]

Prepping the boat this weekend to take Scott and the blind boy scouts out fishing, and I lowered the outboard to inspect lines and cables.



As it neared the bottom, the trim unit began (and this is the best I can describe it) screeching. Not the usual whine you hear, but a screech. Almost like a whine mixed with electrical static.



Any thoughts or suggestions about where to start my diagnosis? Could it need lubrication, or is this an electrical progblem?

 

[Staci Matheis]

Pull-Ease! Don't Break Our Boat!!!!!!!

 

[Dan J.]

I've heard a noise like that and found that the tiniest amount of air can cause that pump to whine. Check your level and find out where your bypassing or leaking, especially at the trim plug o-ring. Any cracks or "mashed out look", replace. Refill and try again. If that doesn't do it, I'd consult a dealer. It's just a big bottle jack and there's not much to service. Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[gone bye bye]

Before you start looking at electircal think mechanical. The sound you are referring to sounds like you need to grease the ends of the trim pistions that actually lift and lower the motor where they contact the motor itself. Try a little waterproof grease on the ends of the trim cyclinders and cycle it up and down a few times......this should alleviate your problem





Mini

 

[Mark Hofman]

I had to run home before lunch to get my checkbook for a doctor's appointment. While I was there, I fiddled with it a bit more. It ONLY makes this sound when it is in the TRIM range. As soon as it gets into the TILT up/down portion, then it makes the normal whine.



Mini, what you're saying makes sense, since at that point the trim pistons are disengaged from the motor. What kind of waterproof grease should I use? I've got a gun with green/black lithium bearing grease for my trailer, and a gun with some white bearing grease. Or, should I just go to my local dealer and pick up something more specific to the trim mechanism?

 

[gone bye bye]

I use the same stuff for the trailer.



Mini

 

[Mark Hofman]

Well, I greased the pistons and trim rod ball ends and its still making the screeching sound. Scott will get to hear this noise on Saturday. It looks like I'll be taking the boat to the dealer sometime in early May for a diagnosis.