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Woke this morning and decided it was time to spash the whaler for the first time this season. Picked up the boat from where I store it on land, tilted the engine up for trailering (several days before tilted up/down while flushing and running on muffs). All tilting of engine worked great. 1991 Yamaha TLRP 90hp 2 stroke.

Arrived at the ramp, and backed her in. Trimmed the engine up just a touch in order to get the mechanical lock unlocked, then tried to tilt engine into water.... no such luck! Nothing I tried would get the engine into the water. Pissed and embarassed, I had to pull her out again. In doing so I did notice a very slight oil slick that seemed to be coming from the trim/tilt motor cylinder area, but only very light.

Put the boat back in storage, got online and learned of a manual screw to release pressure which allows the motor to fall into the down position without using the electric function. Once down, all electric functions again worked, all the way up and all the way down. I dunked the boat and used it all afternoon without any issues! What a day.

Does this sound like low fluid, a leak, a major issue? If oil is seeping out, does that mean water is seeping back in? Any explanations or people with similar issues? Also I can't seem to locate a fluid fill plug... there must be one for topping off.

Thanks for the help and happy boating.

Dana

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Dana -

There is a fill screw on the side of the reservoir. 2/3 rds of the way to the top. Oil should be at the bottom of the opening.

Go to Yamaha's parts page LINK and select Outboard, Year and Model. Select Power Tilt and trim (1/2 way down).

On the diagram, it is # 29

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Thanks for the help Phil. One of these days we'll have to meet up.

I just went to the Yamaha page and found #29. When this all first happened I went to Yamahas site, wrote down #29 so I could then locate it on the diagram, but looking back, my 29 looks like a 25 and thus I never found it. A lot can be said from stepping back from a situation like this to clear your head... at least for me!

Anyone have thoughts about water leaking in if oil is leaking out?

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Dana -

Check if the reservoir screw has an O ring. Could be worn. Also, some owners ask about a sheen when launching for the first time, could be coming from the fogging oil.

When you have time, I am just over the bridge. Up the hill like your going to Portland Head Light.

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The failure to operate could have been a stuck check ball. You did not mention if you could hear the trim motor running. I had a 70 Yamaha that I ran with the bleed cracked for about a year. I think I finally worked the check ball loose I suppose because it works fine with the bleed in now. I would guess that if you find you fluid level good you had something stuck that has now freed itself.

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Dana,

I have the same engine. Unlikely water is seeping in. When you had the problem the first time did you hear the motor engage downward? if not may be the selaniod. If so the valves inside the trim unit my be sticking.

Leaking oil may mean the seals around the cylinder tubes are drying out.

I make an effort to clean the stainless rods that slide in and out of the cyliders by wiping them with synthetic oil periodically.

One thing, those trim unit motors are made out of steel and they rust, may will leak, and seize. Mine is rusted and I am prepared to replace it when necessary.

Unfortunately the engine will need to come off the boat to replace it...:o

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Thanks for all the help. I did not mention, but the electric motor never failed to work. It always ran when button was pushed. I will be checking fluid level today, adding as needed.

I cant locate the source of the leak, cant see any oil seeping anywhere when running the trim/tilt on land. The only time I see oil is when launching, as Phil said it could be left over fogging oil.