Trim Tab fluid fill problem

Hi - when attempting to fill the Bennett trim tab reservoir for the first time, I removed the lexan cover, pulled out the fill plug on the left side, put in a funnel, poured auto xmission fluid into funnel and the fluid did not go down. Had to pull a full funnel away (making a mess) to see what was up. Put a screwdriver into the fill hole and about an inch or so (about the distance to the top of the reservoir) it stopped. I thought maybe it was a screen but felt too much of a hard stop. It almost seems as if there is no hole there! Has anyone had this happen to them, or am I doing this wrong? Thanks.

Google for images/pictures of Bennett filler plug. Does that look like what you pulled out, or did part of it break off?

You've got the tabs fully retracted before doing the filling, right? You really shouldn't have to add fluid to it - if you find the need, then there's a leak.

Thanks LD - my plug looks exactly like the Google pix. The fluid is about a third full - the previous owner told me there was leak, so I just wanted to fill and see where the leak is from. Yes, I fully retracted the tabs first.

Hmmmm... I was expecting you to say something had broken off!

I can't say I've ever actually peered into that hole, but there should be nothing stopping the fluid from being poured in. You can try taking some pictures of that hole, but honestly, it's probably going to be easiest to just disconnect the hydraulic lines and electrical and remove the entire unit and take it to your workbench. It removes VERY easily as it just slides down into the U-shaped bracket that is mounted to the transom wall. And don't worry about the hydraulic lines - the unit will self bleed itself by just running full up/full down a few times.

Before you do that, though... since you have fluid... track down the leak, first. That way you can possibly kill two birds with one stone once you remove it. The most common place for a leak is the nipple that goes through the transom... next would probably be the actual hydraulic ram's o-rings. Whatever area it is, there will be tell-tale oil.

The fill hole is probably also the vent hole so when you put a funnel into hole and fill it up the air can't get out, get a syringe and fill it

turkey baster with the needle , or a pet syringe

Makes sense if the fill hole is also the vent, then a full funnel won't flow. I'll try the syringe or turkey baster and report back. Thanks to all who responded!

A funnel still works just fine as the air will "burp" up through the fluid. Unless... if you didn't leave the funnel there long enough to give it time (patience!) to do that... well, I may have given my fingertips a workout for no reason

13 years of ownership and I have never needed to add any fluid to the reservoir...