Trim Tilt Leak

[CTsalt12]

Hi All,

I've noticed a bit of oily fluid pooling on top of my power trim tilt.  It appears it's coming from where the ram enters the housing.  I've been told there's a good chance since the seal above the water seems to have been compromised that all seals, especially those below water, are likely shot, and the whole thing probably needs to be replaced.  I have also never refilled trim/tilt fluid in the 3 seasons I've had this boat, I'm not sure if this is related.

What's the general diagnosis here?   New seals it seems for sure.  The engine is a 97 115 that has seen it's fair share of abuse (water in fuel more than once, ran dry of oil once) so I don't want to sink a ton of dough into it. 

What am I looking at here?  With all this said, the trim and tilt still works fine, I haven't noticed any decrease in speed.

[fitz73222]

Do not worry about it. Three of 4 Mercs I have with the single ram system have that small ooze of trim fluid from the ram seal. Both of my '95 115's have needed about a teaspoon of oil in the last 6years. check the fluid level every once in a while. Tilt the engine as high as it will go, wait a couple of minutes, open the fill screw and fill with trim and tilt or power steering fluid to the bottom of the threads in the hole, done. Replacing the seals in the trim system is not a huge deal with a factory service manual but it requires removal of the trim system to do it. I've done several of them. You can't find the seal kits from Mercury anymore but an ebay search will find them. I bought 5 seal kits for stock when I found them for like $30 each. Again, quite normal so don't sweat it if the system is working fine and you're not having to add fluid often. 

[CTsalt12]

Do not worry about it. Three of 4 Mercs I have with the single ram system have that small ooze of trim fluid from the ram seal. Both of my '95 115's have needed about a teaspoon of oil in the last 6years. check the fluid level every once in a while. Tilt the engine as high as it will go, wait a couple of minutes, open the fill screw and fill with trim and tilt or power steering fluid to the bottom of the threads in the hole, done. Replacing the seals in the trim system is not a huge deal with a factory service manual but it requires removal of the trim system to do it. I've done several of them. You can't find the seal kits from Mercury anymore but an ebay search will find them. I bought 5 seal kits for stock when I found them for like $30 each. Again, quite normal so don't sweat it if the system is working fine and you're not having to add fluid often.

Thanks fitz!  I may as well just PM my engine questions directly to you since you always seem to have the answers to my questions.

[RickK]

Keep 'em coming Jim.  We all want to learn something too.
Fitz is the man though 

[Aaron43]

U can have the unit removed and resealed. If the ram is pitted you can replace it. A reseal will cost about 5 to 6 hundred bucks.