Good Evening!
I have a quick question and then a request for advice.
I have a new to me 22’ Tiara Continental with a AQ290A and AQ280T drive. Serial # of the drive is #28142657.
I want first to verify this is an AQ280T. I read through the identification threads, and it seems that the determining factor is the presence of the hydraulic lift system. Is this accurate? My boat has the ram brace, wider transom shield with the additional brackets to accept the hydraulic cylinder etc. Here’s a link to a similar ram brace for reference: https://www.freshwatervolvopentapar...17-280-pt-280-t-2?_pos=1&_sid=ed3ccabef&_ss=r
So, am I right that its a 280T? My confusion comes from the fact that we lack any beach tilt trim function, and only have the hydraulic lift function, just up and down. There is no other lift function as described in another 280T thread.
Now the advice:
We used the boat all summer in light duty cruising, everything ran well, and I was taking note of things that I needed to inspect closer when it was out of the water. Last week, the port hydraulic hose outboard of the transom burst, and we lost lift. I pulled the boat, and removed the cylinders and had new hoses made. I had intended to reseal the cylinders (HYD-4008A/B; they weren’t visually leaking, but it seemed like a good idea since I had them off), but after I cleaned them, they were in rough shape, and the top cap was awfully stuck. Before I put too much heat on the seals, and too much force on the cap I started to look for replacement parts as a backup. It appears they are few and far between. I did locate a new shield, steering helmet, ram brace and cylinders available to purchase. The pictures had the cylinders and they looked much better than mine. It’s not cheap, but there seems to be limited options for replacement. I also started reading on this forum about the 280T and is seemed to be suggested that I should look to change my shield and drive at a later date due to parts availability. So...should I:
1) Buy the shield and cylinders, change the cylinders, put it all back together and keep the extra parts for future repair. I can deal with the extra cost if this seems sensible.
2) Clean up my existing cylinders, bleed and reinstall the system and move on to the next project, knowing that I should anticipate a transom shield and drive change at a later date.
If the answer is 2, I know I will have follow up questions about what to start looking for as I plan for that eventual swap...probably next winter.
Looking forward to hearing from this forum. Y’all have been really helpful just in what I have read thus far. I’m new to stern drives, with most of my marine experience being yanmar and atomic straight shaft sailboat engines. Thanks for taking the time to read this far and any input is welcome. Happy to take some specific pics if necessary.
I have a quick question and then a request for advice.
I have a new to me 22’ Tiara Continental with a AQ290A and AQ280T drive. Serial # of the drive is #28142657.
I want first to verify this is an AQ280T. I read through the identification threads, and it seems that the determining factor is the presence of the hydraulic lift system. Is this accurate? My boat has the ram brace, wider transom shield with the additional brackets to accept the hydraulic cylinder etc. Here’s a link to a similar ram brace for reference: https://www.freshwatervolvopentapar...17-280-pt-280-t-2?_pos=1&_sid=ed3ccabef&_ss=r
So, am I right that its a 280T? My confusion comes from the fact that we lack any beach tilt trim function, and only have the hydraulic lift function, just up and down. There is no other lift function as described in another 280T thread.
Now the advice:
We used the boat all summer in light duty cruising, everything ran well, and I was taking note of things that I needed to inspect closer when it was out of the water. Last week, the port hydraulic hose outboard of the transom burst, and we lost lift. I pulled the boat, and removed the cylinders and had new hoses made. I had intended to reseal the cylinders (HYD-4008A/B; they weren’t visually leaking, but it seemed like a good idea since I had them off), but after I cleaned them, they were in rough shape, and the top cap was awfully stuck. Before I put too much heat on the seals, and too much force on the cap I started to look for replacement parts as a backup. It appears they are few and far between. I did locate a new shield, steering helmet, ram brace and cylinders available to purchase. The pictures had the cylinders and they looked much better than mine. It’s not cheap, but there seems to be limited options for replacement. I also started reading on this forum about the 280T and is seemed to be suggested that I should look to change my shield and drive at a later date due to parts availability. So...should I:
1) Buy the shield and cylinders, change the cylinders, put it all back together and keep the extra parts for future repair. I can deal with the extra cost if this seems sensible.
2) Clean up my existing cylinders, bleed and reinstall the system and move on to the next project, knowing that I should anticipate a transom shield and drive change at a later date.
If the answer is 2, I know I will have follow up questions about what to start looking for as I plan for that eventual swap...probably next winter.
Looking forward to hearing from this forum. Y’all have been really helpful just in what I have read thus far. I’m new to stern drives, with most of my marine experience being yanmar and atomic straight shaft sailboat engines. Thanks for taking the time to read this far and any input is welcome. Happy to take some specific pics if necessary.
