My trim tabs stopped working. I checked the fluid level, and it was
non-existent. I added ATF and switched on the tabs. The fluid all went
into the water. I believe only from the starboard hydraulic piston. I
have insta-trim tabs. I take it I have to replace the piston. How do
I do this? Does the boat need to be out of the water (problem!)? Is
there anything else I can check? There is no leaking inside the
engine compartment by the pump and I checked the hose connector to the
piston and it seems fine.

On Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:44:02 -0700, Mike C
wrote:

My trim tabs stopped working. I checked the fluid level, and it was
non-existent. I added ATF and switched on the tabs. The fluid all went
into the water. I believe only from the starboard hydraulic piston. I
have insta-trim tabs. I take it I have to replace the piston. How do
I do this? Does the boat need to be out of the water (problem!)? Is
there anything else I can check? There is no leaking inside the
engine compartment by the pump and I checked the hose connector to the
piston and it seems fine.

There are really only two possibilities that I can think of:

The hose is ruptured outside the boat; or, the cylinder is leaking.

Either way you're probably going to need a haulout unless you can find
a mechanic that works underwater or a really good diver.

Couple of tractor tubes & a compressor on the pier? You don't say what size
boat? Is there a crane on the dock? Trimtabs aren't usually far under water
when moored.



"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:44:02 -0700, Mike C
wrote:

My trim tabs stopped working. I checked the fluid level, and it was
non-existent. I added ATF and switched on the tabs. The fluid all went
into the water. I believe only from the starboard hydraulic piston. I
have insta-trim tabs. I take it I have to replace the piston. How do
I do this? Does the boat need to be out of the water (problem!)? Is
there anything else I can check? There is no leaking inside the
engine compartment by the pump and I checked the hose connector to the
piston and it seems fine.

There are really only two possibilities that I can think of:

The hose is ruptured outside the boat; or, the cylinder is leaking.

Either way you're probably going to need a haulout unless you can find
a mechanic that works underwater or a really good diver.

Get someone to help you so you can find the leak while another person
activates the tabs. If the tabs are not too far under and you can walk the
boat into some shallows so you can stand there is no reason you can't
replace the cylinder with the boat in the water. It will be easier is the
end of the cylinder is above the water line as you ought to put some bedding
compound where the screws go into the transom.

"Mike C" wrote in message
ps.com...
My trim tabs stopped working. I checked the fluid level, and it was
non-existent. I added ATF and switched on the tabs. The fluid all went
into the water. I believe only from the starboard hydraulic piston. I
have insta-trim tabs. I take it I have to replace the piston. How do
I do this? Does the boat need to be out of the water (problem!)? Is
there anything else I can check? There is no leaking inside the
engine compartment by the pump and I checked the hose connector to the
piston and it seems fine.

On Sep 7, 7:20 am, "jamesgangnc" wrote:
Get someone to help you so you can find the leak while another person
activates the tabs. If the tabs are not too far under and you can walk the
boat into some shallows so you can stand there is no reason you can't
replace the cylinder with the boat in the water. It will be easier is the
end of the cylinder is above the water line as you ought to put some bedding
compound where the screws go into the transom.

"Mike C" wrote in message

ps.com...

My trim tabs stopped working. I checked the fluid level, and it was
non-existent. I added ATF and switched on the tabs. The fluid all went
into the water. I believe only from the starboard hydraulic piston. I
have insta-trim tabs. I take it I have to replace the piston. How do
I do this? Does the boat need to be out of the water (problem!)? Is
there anything else I can check? There is no leaking inside the
engine compartment by the pump and I checked the hose connector to the
piston and it seems fine.

Assuming it is where the hose attaches to the cylinder, can I clamp
that without pulling the boat? I am wondering if a little water in
the hose will have an impact when mixed with the ATF.

On Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:44:02 -0700, Mike C penned the following well
considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

My trim tabs stopped working. I checked the fluid level, and it was
non-existent. I added ATF and switched on the tabs. The fluid all went
into the water. I believe only from the starboard hydraulic piston. I
have insta-trim tabs. I take it I have to replace the piston. How do
I do this? Does the boat need to be out of the water (problem!)? Is
there anything else I can check? There is no leaking inside the
engine compartment by the pump and I checked the hose connector to the
piston and it seems fine.

I think that insta-trim requires biodegradable (vegetable) oil. Put
the wrong oil in the system and you'll likely destroy ALL of the
seals. If your hose hasn't split, then you've probably lost the seals
in that cylinder. I think all Insta-trim's are single acting
cylinders.

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepage
http://pamandgene.idleplay.net/

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguide
http://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats
-----------------
www.Newsgroup-Binaries.com - *Completion*Retention*Speed*
Access your favorite newsgroups from home or on the road
-----------------

On Fri, 07 Sep 2007 08:13:43 -0700, Mike C penned the following well
considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

On Sep 7, 7:20 am, "jamesgangnc" wrote:
Get someone to help you so you can find the leak while another person
activates the tabs. If the tabs are not too far under and you can walk the
boat into some shallows so you can stand there is no reason you can't
replace the cylinder with the boat in the water. It will be easier is the
end of the cylinder is above the water line as you ought to put some bedding
compound where the screws go into the transom.

"Mike C" wrote in message

ps.com...

My trim tabs stopped working. I checked the fluid level, and it was
non-existent. I added ATF and switched on the tabs. The fluid all went
into the water. I believe only from the starboard hydraulic piston. I
have insta-trim tabs. I take it I have to replace the piston. How do
I do this? Does the boat need to be out of the water (problem!)? Is
there anything else I can check? There is no leaking inside the
engine compartment by the pump and I checked the hose connector to the
piston and it seems fine.

Assuming it is where the hose attaches to the cylinder, can I clamp
that without pulling the boat? I am wondering if a little water in
the hose will have an impact when mixed with the ATF.

I have Bennetts, but I could change mine out by standing in the water.
With your tab all the way up, the cylinder shouldn't be in the
water..... and NO you DON'T want water in the system.

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepage
http://pamandgene.idleplay.net/

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguide
http://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats
-----------------
www.Newsgroup-Binaries.com - *Completion*Retention*Speed*
Access your favorite newsgroups from home or on the road
-----------------

On Sep 7, 11:13 am, Mike C wrote:
On Sep 7, 7:20 am, "jamesgangnc" wrote:





Get someone to help you so you can find the leak while another person
activates the tabs. If the tabs are not too far under and you can walk the
boat into some shallows so you can stand there is no reason you can't
replace the cylinder with the boat in the water. It will be easier is the
end of the cylinder is above the water line as you ought to put some bedding
compound where the screws go into the transom.

"Mike C" wrote in message

ups.com...

My trim tabs stopped working. I checked the fluid level, and it was
non-existent. I added ATF and switched on the tabs. The fluid all went
into the water. I believe only from the starboard hydraulic piston. I
have insta-trim tabs. I take it I have to replace the piston. How do
I do this? Does the boat need to be out of the water (problem!)? Is
there anything else I can check? There is no leaking inside the
engine compartment by the pump and I checked the hose connector to the
piston and it seems fine.

Assuming it is where the hose attaches to the cylinder, can I clamp
that without pulling the boat? I am wondering if a little water in
the hose will have an impact when mixed with the ATF.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hard to say as they come with the hose pre-attached to the cylinder.
Water is not good for it. It won't mix with the atf though. The atf
will float in top of it. The pressure is more likely to cause a fluid
leak out that the suction is to cause it to draw in water. I would
change the fluid if you are able to fix it. Cycle the tabs several
times after you fix it and then see if there is water in the bottom of
the resevoir.

On Sep 7, 12:16 pm, Gene Kearns
wrote:
On Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:44:02 -0700, Mike C penned the following well
considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

My trim tabs stopped working. I checked the fluid level, and it was
non-existent. I added ATF and switched on the tabs. The fluid all went
into the water. I believe only from the starboard hydraulic piston. I
have insta-trim tabs. I take it I have to replace the piston. How do
I do this? Does the boat need to be out of the water (problem!)? Is
there anything else I can check? There is no leaking inside the
engine compartment by the pump and I checked the hose connector to the
piston and it seems fine.

I think that insta-trim requires biodegradable (vegetable) oil. Put
the wrong oil in the system and you'll likely destroy ALL of the
seals. If your hose hasn't split, then you've probably lost the seals
in that cylinder. I think all Insta-trim's are single acting
cylinders.

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepagehttp://pamandgene.idleplay.net/

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguidehttp://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats
-----------------www.Newsgroup-Binaries.com- *Completion*Retention*Speed*
Access your favorite newsgroups from home or on the road
-----------------

ATF will not hurt it. Few fluids will actually damage seals.

On Sep 7, 11:16 am, Gene Kearns
wrote:
On Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:44:02 -0700, Mike C penned the following well
considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

My trim tabs stopped working. I checked the fluid level, and it was
non-existent. I added ATF and switched on the tabs. The fluid all went
into the water. I believe only from the starboard hydraulic piston. I
have insta-trim tabs. I take it I have to replace the piston. How do
I do this? Does the boat need to be out of the water (problem!)? Is
there anything else I can check? There is no leaking inside the
engine compartment by the pump and I checked the hose connector to the
piston and it seems fine.

I think that insta-trim requires biodegradable (vegetable) oil. Put
the wrong oil in the system and you'll likely destroy ALL of the
seals. If your hose hasn't split, then you've probably lost the seals
in that cylinder. I think all Insta-trim's are single acting
cylinders.

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepagehttp://pamandgene.idleplay.net/

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguidehttp://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats
-----------------www.Newsgroup-Binaries.com- *Completion*Retention*Speed*
Access your favorite newsgroups from home or on the road
-----------------

I checked the manual, and they say you can use their fluid or any ATF.