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Trim/Tilt Stuck Down
Bo Neato	#1  Posted on 03/31/12 - 9:31 AM
Member Posts: 79 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/08/07	I have a '97 Evinrude 90hp SPL, which has what I believe is called the "conventional" tilt system. It is stuck down and I need to get the lower unit up to bring it in for repair. On each side of the bracket are a series of holes, one on each side gives access to a screw which I think are the pressure relief screws which will allow me to manually lift the engine. The electric motor burned out, and did so during the electric lift stage without engaging the hydraulics at all. I'm really not sure what I'm doing. I read my Clymer manual and tried to figure it out as best as possible. I'd rather get some solid advice/instruction first before doing any more damage, and I need to trailer the boat in for service (as early as Monday if I can get the engine up) Is it the starboard side screw only that I open to release the pressure? How many turns on the screw? Will fluid come out where I need a catch pan? The lower unit will drop if released and the swing bracket will be the only thing keeping the engine in the up position, correct? Please advise, thanks! Edited by Bo Neato on 03/31/12 - 9:35 AM
Tom W Clark	#2  Posted on 03/31/12 - 9:49 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	The Manual Release Valve Screw is on the Port side of the motor. It is a large slotted screw head. Turn it counter clockwise as far as it goes, though you do not need to. The more you open it, the faster you will be able to move the motor which will be heavy. Tighten the screw to hold the motor in whatever position you like. There should be no leaking fluid at all
Bo Neato	#3  Posted on 03/31/12 - 10:13 AM
Member Posts: 79 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/08/07	Wow, that was quick. Thanks, Tom, I'll report back later.
Bo Neato	#4  Posted on 03/31/12 - 10:35 AM
Member Posts: 79 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/08/07	The screw is stuck. I hit it with some Deep Creep and I'll try a little later. The slot on the screw head is HUGE, I have some decent sized screwdrivers, but it looks like I'm hitting the store to try and find something bigger...as in massively big.
Bo Neato	#5  Posted on 03/31/12 - 12:45 PM
Member Posts: 79 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/08/07	So I got the largest slotted screwdriver I could find at Sears. It's still smaller than the slot, and the set screw is still stuck. I tapped on it all the way around, no go. I sprayed it some more, it's soaking, but I'm not feeling optimistic. Can I heat it without melting the plastic hydraulic connectors above or damaging the transom? Any other options? It's starting to look like I may be trailering this gingerly with the engine down...
Joe Kriz	#6  Posted on 03/31/12 - 12:50 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Are you positive you are looking at the correct screw? See the Evinrude diagram on their Online Parts page... http://epc.brp.com/default.aspx?brand...amp;lang=E I looked it up for the 1997 Evinrude 90 It shows the "Manual Release Valve and Seal Assy." as figure #1 Edited by Joe Kriz on 03/31/12 - 12:52 PM
Bo Neato	#7  Posted on 03/31/12 - 1:39 PM
Member Posts: 79 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/08/07	I've been working on a large, slotted, stainless screw similar to the one in the middle of this picture (found online, not my engine but similar). The screw is on the port side, facing the transom, under the electric motor. Mine is tucked further in and harder to get at: http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg...Trim-2.jpg I have a 1997 E90TSLEUA. The website lists a manual release valve, #66 on the exploded diagram, that appears to be on the port side facing the bracket: http://epc.brp.com/Index.aspx?lang=E&...;brands=ej Edited by Bo Neato on 03/31/12 - 1:42 PM
Bo Neato	#8  Posted on 03/31/12 - 1:49 PM
Member Posts: 79 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/08/07	The diagram makes it appear the release screw is accessed through the bracket hole? There is one on each side, behind which appears to be a 90° connector of some sort.
Joe Kriz	#9  Posted on 03/31/12 - 2:11 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	#66 seems to be correct and also looks to be on the STARBOARD side through a hole in the engine bracket...
Bo Neato	#10  Posted on 03/31/12 - 2:44 PM
Member Posts: 79 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/08/07	Joe Kriz wrote: #66 seems to be correct and also looks to be on the STARBOARD side through a hole in the engine bracket... You are right. I'm going to try that one, I don't really think I have much to lose at this point versus trailering down. Good thing that ETEC promotion runs until 4/15, I just may wind up forcing my own hand... Thanks, Joe.
Bo Neato	#11  Posted on 03/31/12 - 3:07 PM
Member Posts: 79 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/08/07	That was the one. Some hydraulic fluid did leak out, but I was able to raise the lower unit, get the lock swung up, and retighten. I'm safe for travel now. Thanks again, Joe!
Joe Kriz	#12  Posted on 03/31/12 - 3:17 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Glad you got it accomplished... I wasn't sure what side it was on as I don't remember the newer models with that newer bracket.... I have the older style bracket and the screw is on the Starboard side... Apparently the same side.
scoslv20	#13  Posted on 03/31/12 - 8:05 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 29 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/05/10	Bo Neato, Johnson and Evinrude SPL engines of that year use the old style trim and tilt unit like Joe has on his 1985. The SPL engines were supposed to be no frills motors, therefore they didn't get the more expensive Fastrac trim system. Edited by scoslv20 on 03/31/12 - 8:05 PM
Bo Neato	#14  Posted on 04/01/12 - 6:22 AM
Member Posts: 79 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/08/07	scoslv20 wrote: Bo Neato, Johnson and Evinrude SPL engines of that year use the old style trim and tilt unit like Joe has on his 1985. The SPL engines were supposed to be no frills motors, therefore they didn't get the more expensive Fastrac trim system. Yes, I think that may be where the confusion was. It's not a FasTrak system, it's called the "conventional" system. I guess by 1997 almost all the OMCs except the SPLs had the FasTrak system. It's all pretty clear now that it's been figured out, lol. Thanks again to all.