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Posts: 121
Location: Forest Lake, MN & Bemidji, MN | Hi all,
I am a novice regarding outboard maintenance and would like some advice. I think this will be a simple fix to anyone with some experience. I am somewhat mechanically inclined and have an idea how to fix this but I want to ask first so I don't screw something up, I searched youtube and found nothing specific related to this model of tilt/trim.
I have an 1994 mariner 75 hp tiller which has a newly installed tilt/trim unit installed June 1, 2013. It was installed by the dealer I purchased the boat from at no cost to me as when the boat was removed from cold storage the tilt trim did not work. So I have not contacted them as it was free and feel I can take care of this myself so I don't have to lose any days on the water which are very limited as is. There is what appears to be a date on the unit which makes it seem old, but I don't know if it is a manufactured date or something else. If it is a date and it was made in 2005 the seal maybe dried out and causing the leak, I dunno.
There is a small fluid leak coming from a plastic bolt in the body of the reservoir. See photos which also show the model name and number. I have tightened the bolt to the point where I am concerned if I attempt to tighten it more it could break. I have no idea if these can and do break but I don't want to find out the hard way.
If someone could explain the proper way to stop the leak and add back the fluid it would be greatly appreciated. I have a 8 day trip coming up in 10 days so I need to address this ASAP. Thanks in advance for any and all help. Jeremy
(trim plastic bolt (Copy).jpg)
(trim reservoir (Copy).jpg)
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 trim plastic bolt (Copy).jpg (40KB - 171 downloads)
trim reservoir (Copy).jpg (42KB - 157 downloads)
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Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | there are lots of videos on youtube showing you how to fill Trim/tilt reservoir. It's easy... Just looked that part up.
The trouble is this leak. I don't know anything about your make on model, but I'm very good at making things like this seal (Design engineer, dealing in sealing liquids).
My guess is that this is most likely a NPT thread. If it is, remove the teflon tape and add new tape. If the threads are damaged, you'll have to get a new plug.
Otherwise, it is likely a SAE or a cylindrical seal (not the same things). I can't tell without taking measurements... In either case, there will be an o-ring that can easily be removed with a dental pick. Take it off, but don't break it. Measure the ID and cross section. You should be able to determine which seal size you have here. http://www.marcorubber.com/sizingchart.htm
A buna seal will work well for you. http://www.devriesintl.com/matsel/elflucomcht.asp
You should be able to buy the seal at mcmaster.com or possibly a hardware store.
Even if you can't fix the leak, you can always bring lots of fluid on your trip and keep adding as it leaks.
Hope this helps. |
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Posts: 121
Location: Forest Lake, MN & Bemidji, MN | Thanks for the advice on the plug! I really appreciate it. I searched Mariner tilt/trim and Sierra tilt/trim on youtube and got no specific results but there are a few videos that I think will get me through it, just not specific to my model.
Let me know if I am way off here on the fill screw location. My fill screw looks a lot different than the ones in the videos I saw but they are in roughly the same locations and based on gravity I think it must be where I fill up the fluid. It's a phillips head screw flush with the reservoir located just underneath the right side of the large white sticker on the reservoir in picture 2. Its about 2/3rds of the way up the reservoir.
Also, when I remove the threaded plug to add a new o-ring and retape the threads is there anyway to keep the fluid from draining completely out? Just stuff something in the hole like a rag? Don't know how much pressure there will be. I know I need to have the motor trimmed all the way up to relieve the pressure but based on the location of the plug I don't see anyway that the fluid will not just drain out entirely.
Thanks again, Jeremy |
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Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | No problem. I just want to add that I think that plastic bolt is not stock. It looks so out of place...
When you pull the plastic bolt out it will leak some. Make sure you leave your fill plug screwed in. It should create a vacuum and hold most of the fluid in. Otherwise, you are left with the clean rag or thumb over the hole. not the best options...
I have only added fluid 1 time, but this is the video i used to help me. I did look at others, but my trouble was that I couldn't get the air out until i saw this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h83fLXSVQJQ |
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Posts: 13
| Metal plug....like the one in mine....1993 75 hp merc..more consistent npt thread... |
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