How to fill it....

[Bigtaff]

The hydraulic lifter that pulls and lowers the motor in and out of the water on my boat is low on oil. Do I need to fill this up with the motor in the water or when it is retracted out of the water? I don't know if the motor comes with a specific lifter or not so will mention it's a Yamaha V6 stroke (200bhp) but the cc of the motor I cannot remember. I'm pretty sure it's not relevant info anyway. Also, if I get an airlock in this hydraulic system of any kind, how do I bleed it out - if at all possible?

 

[PaulGooch]

Rather difficult to say, i suspect, without knowing any details of your boat or engine

 

[aquatom]

The question is where has the oil gone?

 

[dingdongs]

may be time to have pulled and re-sealed as theres obviously a leak;maybe helpful here;http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=285744&highlight=yamaha+tilt+cylinder

 

[Bigtaff]

The question is where has the oil gone?

Its not completely empty, just a little low. If you pull the motor too high out of the water, so its weight is completely resting on the mount, then the jack makes the noise it should but nothing happens which I would think means low oil level. If you push the motor out of the dead spot then the lift continues its work as it should. As to whether its leaking or not, I can't see a leak or even a small weep so whether the oil has just completely degraded and needs changing I don't know. I live in Dubai so the high temp will affect the viscosity of the oil too and I didn't fill it in the first place so might replace it with a slightly heavier oil. All I am asking is, do I fill it up with Motor out of water or in? One way the ram will be fully extended and the other I guess will mean it is fully retracted but I'm not sure at which end of cycle is best for filling to correct level.

 

[PaulGooch]

Only guessing here, but i think you'd be best to fill it up with the ram in the "closed" position. If you fill it when it's extended, the fluid returning from the ram when it closes will be too much for the reservoir.

 

[Bigtaff]

That's what I thought but always best to check. I'm pretty sure car jacks are filled in same way so I was kinda applying the same principal but thought "you never know"

 

[SolentPhill]

Only guessing here, but i think you'd be best to fill it up with the ram in the "closed" position. If you fill it when it's extended, the fluid returning from the ram when it closes will be too much for the reservoir.

You got it right Paul

If you fill it with ram out when you bring it back in the breather in the top where you fill it will allow all your new oil into the boat