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Sterndrive will not lower

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"De-winterizing boat(final

"De-winterizing boat(finally)but have a problem with the sterndrive. It was stored in the up postion and will not lower. Suspect I need to bleed the hydraulic lines. If that doesn't work any other suggestions? 1988 Welcraft, 5.0L Mercruiser and Alpha Sterndrive.

Thanks."
 
"Couple of things.
Sterndrive

"Couple of things.
Sterndrives are supposed to be stored with the leg down. This apparently prevents the exhaust bellows from taking a curved "set", and then failing when the leg is lowered. Ironically, the major storage fascility here, that winterizes, and then winter stores the same boats, leaves all of the legs up throughout the winter. Great for business!

To try and isolate your problem, bypass the sterndrive rocker switch,and jump the control terminals on your pump. First check to make sure that you have power to the pump, then jump from that terminal to one of the others. One is for raising the leg, the other for lowering. If the leg responds, you've got a problem at the rocker switch, or somewhere in between. If it doesn't respond, you've got a pump problem. Is your battery fully charged? The pump does pull a fair amount of power. Also check the oil level in the pump reservoir.
Good luck."
 
"Thank you Bob. Future winter

"Thank you Bob. Future winter storage in down position is assured. Battery is brand new and charged. So, on to the other items. Appreciate your help."
 
"When you raised the outdrive

"When you raised the outdrive in the fall you probably held the trailer button too long. It is a common occurance.

What I ALLWAYS do when I raise my outdrive all the way up is I hit the down button for a second or two to relieve the up pressure on the valving.

This is a somewhat coomon problem and the answer is yes you need to bleed one of the lines (crack it loose enough for a little fluid to escape) and try it again.

I have run accross some that did this brand new, they would lock up in the full up trailer position.

The reverse lockout valve in the pump is either set wrong from the factory or a piece of shmeg is floating around.

Not sure but release the pressure and you should be fine."
 
Not 'probably' held tr

Not 'probably' held trailer button too long - I definitely did. A friend diagnosed same problem and same solution.

Thanks to all who suggested solutions. It is appreciated.
 
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