www.iFourWinns.com

I just noticed today that when I leave my drive up it ends up going back down with in a few hours. So slow that I can't notice by looking at it. Has anyone had the same problem?

Many people have. Just do a search for it, there are lots of threads.

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

Thanks, sometimes the obvious has to be mentioned...

All I found is from MAy 2009 when you advised someone to take their boat to the dealer...
Also someone suggested it was a cylinder or a trim valve.
Now what and where are the trim valves and how hard is it to change?
Also how can you tell if its a cylinder or a check valve?

My apologies, I thought several others had posted with the same problem. I must be thinking of a different forum.

Is this a Volvo? If so (may be the same for Merc but I'm not sure), assuming your "rams" (hydraulic actuators) nor hose fittings are visibly leaking, the culprit is most likely to be the check valve inside the pump assembly. This diagram is probably not exactly a match for your unit but should give you an idea of what we're talking about (see index #42):



That's from http://www.marinepartseurope.com/en/vol ... 10430.aspx.

Some pumps have two check valves, high and low pressure. In this case I assume it would be the high pressure one leaking. Most folks will replace the whole pump to fix it ($$$$), but in reality I believe you can repair it if you can track down the parts. I don't know if it would be the ball, spring, seat, or all 3 that you'd need. I haven't had this problem (yet), so I'm afraid that's about as far as I can take it.

You might consider adding your boat, engine, and drive details to your signature, it can really help people get a head start on what the problem might be, when you have one.

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

Thanks Mike, no wonder why people buy the whole pump. Very intimidating to take apart to repair unless you have done it many times.
So many little parts.

Mike, I remember that discussion too...

In case they help at all:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11143&p=105848&hilit=+check+valve+drive+ram#p105848

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3396&p=33833&hilit=+check+valve+drive+ram#p33833

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Seth




2005 210 Horizon
5.0L GXi
"Don't Think Twice"

Thanks for the links...

I have a 1990 200Horizon 302 v8 with a cobra outdrive...

Or you can use the low-tech (and much cheaper) method I use for the same problem. I got some PVC pipe with an inside diameter slightly larger than the inner ram(?), cut a slot lengthwise the same size as the ram (actually slightly smaller so it's a little snug and stays on) and to length 1/2" shorter than the exposed (shiny part. Told you I was low-tech) ram. I slip it on at the end of the day, and the next day I just raise the outdrive that 1/2" and slip it off. For trailering I have two slightly shorter pieces to keep the load on the tilt system balanced.

It is not necessarily at the pump...

If either Ram Cylinder has a leak past it's internal O-ring (which is on the 'head' of the piston rod), then it can slowly leak down, and there is no external leakage. It will leak down even if only one cylinder has a bad O-ring, because they are plumbed in parallel.

Not too hard of a DIY job if you can obtain (or make) a spanner wrench to disassemble the Ram Cylinder. Or you can take it to a local hydraulics shop. The O-rings are all standard $1 parts.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

My SX Drive occasionally does this, too.
I find that if I cycle the trim up & down 3-5 times, the issue goes away for another couple months.

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

Somewhere in a manual somewhere it states that when you lift or lower the drive to never just trim it all the way. You're supposed to back it off to keep from damaging the value and causing this issue.

Example: Lower drive all the way down until it doesn't go anymore. Now hit the up button for half a second to get the pressure off the valve. Same when you lift it, just in reverse.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

MMM learn some thing new I did.....

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Cheers

Mark
Melbourne
Australia

Boats:
Current: 2004 FW 190
2001 Mastercraft X5
1998 Malibu Response
1999 Sea Ray 180
17 ft Scimitar Barefoot (200hp Yamaha)
16ft Scimitar Ski (Yamaha 115)
1988 Ski Nautique ( Called Ski Antique)

Good information. Didn't know that, but do it most of the time anyway. It'll be all the time now.