www.iFourWinns.com

Was out cruising through some channels where it gets very shallow. I noticed that the trim wasn't responding like normal. There appeared to be a delay - trimming was taking longer than usual. I get the boat back to the lift and try to raise the drive to look around, now it will not raise or lower, and it's stuck just a bit above the beach position.

I can hear the whine of the trim pump, so it's not a switch or electrical issue. This is with the Volvo SX-A drive. The Volvo manual says to check the fluid level in the trim pump resevoir, however, it specifically states that the drive must be trimmed all the way down or an inaccuratefluid level may result in damage to the trim system.

Question - should I go ahead and check the fluid level with the drive in the position it's in now? My thinking is to add some power steering fluid, get the trim working enough to lower the drive unit where I can then check fluid level and top off again if needed. Good idea or bad idea?

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Jim,

If it were me I would check the fluid level just to see if there is any fluid in the trim reservoir at all. Seems if the reservoir was empty the drive would drop to the lowest trim position by default. Strange to have the drive stuck in the intermediate position but if the fluid is low adding some may solve the problem. I know there is some sort of recall on the '06-'07 SX drives for trim pump check valve issues that results in the drive dropping unexpectantly. This may be related? My concern would be where did the fluid go?

Steve

Yeah, you may not get an accurate reading on it now, but at least check and see where the level is. It should never be empty or very close to empty.

However, I'll go out on a limb with a guess that this isn't a fluid level problem.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

The level of fluid in the reservoir when the drive is down should be higher than when it is up because the volume of oil in the cylinders is less ( Drive down, volume = approximate cylinder volume minus volume of piston rod. Drive up, volume of oil = approximate volume of cylinder). I guess they tell you to check the level when the drive is down because that's when the volume of oil in the reservoir is at it's maximum. If it's checked/ filled when the drive is up, the reservoir is overfull when the drive is down, maybe it could blow off the cap or a line.

This problem sounds like a mechanical issue within the trim pump I'm afraid. Any way to give it a light tap with something, in case a check valve has become jammed? Certainly in the earlier pumps which are fited inside the boat, not on the outside in the transom shield, there are filters in there that can become blocked, I don't know about the later ones.

Graham

When I unscrewed the resevoir cap, there was considerable pressure release from the resevoir. Thankfully, no pressure release from the pistons so the drive did not drop - although I sure yanked my hand out of there quick! After bleeding off the pressure, I replaced the cap and the tilt/trim worked enough to lower the drive. I then topped it off with an ounce of so of Volvo Tilt Trim/ Power Steering fluid, and cycled the drive up and down a few times. Seems to be working well enough to get some tubing in today, although I'm going to try to minimize use of trim. I figure the local authorized Volvo dealer is innundated with Holiday weekend issues, so I'll watch it and wait a weekend or two before bringing it in. Hopefully it's something they can resolve during the week.

Ironically my pontoon developed a tilt/trim issue at the same time. It's a conspiracy! Or perhaps I offended the Tilt/Trim gods somehow.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Ran the boat last weekend. The tilt trim operates almost normally now. Only thing is that the tilt does not raise fully (or at least to the level I remember as being raised fully). When it's raised as far as it will go, there's no whine or clicking from the pump motor. Also, I find that I can lift the outdrive several inches and it will drop those serveral inches when I let go. Time to bring her in for warranty repairs?

*edit - sure glad I didn't complicate matters by adding the transom tilt trim switch (yet).

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I just took my 210 to the shop on Sat. for the exact same thing..... I also have the same drive that you have the SX.. I got out the book, and had a look to see if a hydrolic hose had come loose or something that was an easy fix, but no such luck. When you remove the outer cover you still really can't see much. I was going to need to remove way more parts than I wanted too, so I just went in for a little warranty work..

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Paul F.
So many lakes so little time!!

2008 Four Winns 210 SS -- Red
5.7L Gi/SX - Volvo - 14 3/4 x 21 ss prop (62 mph)

I'm curious to see how it is with the trim pump mounted on the transom housing/drive unit. Can either of you guys take a pic?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Lightning65, let me know what your Dealer says about the issue. I might just drop mine off this coming Sunday.

firecadet, sure, I'll snap a pic this weekend. Until then, imagine the area behind the outdrive as it would appear when the outdrive is raised. Now imagine a small pump housing installed right in there and painted black to blend in.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I will let you know what they find --- the shop is about a week out, so I am guessing that I will get the boat back around the 21st or 22nd at the earliest.

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Paul F.
So many lakes so little time!!

2008 Four Winns 210 SS -- Red
5.7L Gi/SX - Volvo - 14 3/4 x 21 ss prop (62 mph)

I finally got the boat back on Friday the 25th -- they did in fact have to replace the trim pump. They did not give much explination as to why, but I heard some funny noises before it leaked fluid everywhere and gave a loud "clank". Oh, well as long as it is fixed..... back to happy boating....

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Paul F.
So many lakes so little time!!

2008 Four Winns 210 SS -- Red
5.7L Gi/SX - Volvo - 14 3/4 x 21 ss prop (62 mph)

Thanks Lightning, that provides the needed incentive for me to take my boat in next weekend. The trim currently works ok in most conditions. Only issue when on a plane above 2500 RPM when attempting to trim down - the pump motor gives a loud growling sound and will not move the outdrive. If I drop below 2500, the trim work fine. I suspect I'll get a shiny new trim pump motor too.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP