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Bravo 3 outdrives trim tilt speed and position differ from one another

S

Samsara

New member
Hello, I have just replaced my trim ram assemblies and hoses on both outdrives. Trim fluid on the port drive looks good but starboard turned milky and need to be replaced.
Unfortunately I couldn't get the original quicksilver power trim fluid from the local marine shop (out of stock) so I replaced with ATF DOT3 fluid brought from a car parts shop.

Now when I trim my drives, the starboard drive (with ATF fluid) moves faster than the port drive (with quicksilver power trim fluid), thus impossible to align the both drives in the same tilt position.

Does the difference of speed really caused by the fluids or some problems elsewhere in my power trim assembly? Any idea? Thks
 
The fluids don't compress so shouldn't make a difference...more likely to be a difference in the pump motor speeds...I'd suggest checking the electrical connections to the pump, especially the ground cables. Make sure the battery connections are sound, too.
 
Mercs power trim fluid is power sterring fliud.

So any manufacturers power steering fluid will work as replacement.

dot 3???? that is typically what is called for for brake fliud..........
 
Hi all, thanks for your prompt responses. kghost, you are right, just check dot 3 usage from internet, it's for brake systems, not really suitable for power trim or steering.
When I went to the car shop, I asked for power steering ATF fluid and they gave me dot 3. My goodness.. I should have double checked.
Moreover dot 3 seems contain corrosive chemical detergent. I'll purge the entire dot 3 fluid out of my trim pump tomorrow morning.
I have ordered 3 litres of the original mercury power trim/steering, arrive probably in 2 weeks. Will get you guys update... thks again.
 
Hi all, finally got my mercury power trim fluid. Purged and cleaned the dot 3 from the stbd trim pump and refilled with new mercury fluid, the difference was stunning, both drives move at almost the same speed,
I said "almost" cos the port drive with the original old mercury fluid yet moved a hair slower. So I decided to replace its fluid as well. Wow!, now both drive move at exactly the same pace.
Could it means that old fluid might lose a bit of its density after some time?
 
Could it means that old fluid might lose a bit of its density after some time?
Click to expand...
Because the reservior has an atmospheric vent the fluid can become contaminated w/moisture. It also acts as a detergent as the fluid is circulated in the system...look at the gray matter in the bottom of the reservior. Clean fluid can never hurt the system.
 
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