290 leg 'spongy'??

[tico]

290 leg \'spongy\'??

No, not me, but neighbour has a SL305 with the older type 290 outdrive legs.(oneswith reverse latch)

On one side the leg tilt is 'spongy' in that the leg can be moved up and down by hand, but returns to the original position. very like air in the hydraulics but have raised and lowered it several times in order to bleed it with no improvement. Is there an alternative method of bleeding the system (with boat in water) or is it liable to be something else?

Also the indicator is reading +5 and above (varied)but the leg is not tilting up coz no waterspout! any suggestions??

 

[RobWales]

Re: 290 leg \'spongy\'??

Sounds like a leaking seal on the lift ram!

 

[spannerman]

Re: 290 leg \'spongy\'??

When you get to +5 area the trim will lock out as you are now in 'beach' mode as VP call it, you need to press the trim over ride to get it higher as its a safety device to prevent you trimming to high at speed.
The only way to fix it is to recalibrate the gear wheel and rack on the steering helmet so that the clock reads '0' with the cav plate paralell to the keel, then it will read + and - .
The spongyness indicates air in the system and it could be a leak on the down hose as it the up hose normally is under pressure from the weight of the drive so would visibly leak when trimmed up.
Does the pump need topping up or is there any sign of oil around the hoses/cylinders, they can leak at the nipple on the cylinder from corrosion around the threads.

 

[tico]

Re: 290 leg \'spongy\'??

Thx spannerman, but the indicator is altering when going along (not when being tilted)although the leg does not appear to be lifting. (its ok.. i know about the lockout)
Could be loose (or knackered)potentiometer i guess... have you seen this ever?

i'm told that oil level is OK, but as yet havnt checked myself