Tabman- I need help!

horseplay

Member
Jul 7, 2012
49
Grand Lake, Ok
Boat Info
340 Sundancer 2007
Engines
8.1 L Mercruisers
Starboard side trim tab will only go down 1/2 inch. Other tab works fine. When I apply a hot wire to each wire on the wire harness, each solenoid clicks and the motor turns. Any ideas?
 
if it's in the water, do you see fluid? Could be a leaky cylinder, you should have fluid loss and see an oil slick near the tab. There is an O-Ring on the piston that seals it inside the cylinder. The fluid pushes the cylinder down, there is a spring on the bottom of the piston that forces it back into the bore.
If the motor runs and the opposite side works, my guess would be leaky piston, blockage in the fluid delivery line to the piston, or the best place to start looking is the switch and solenoid valve. I believe you can unscrew the solenoids to see if the problem switches sides.
Here is the link to the troubleshooting guide, assuming this is the same setup you have.
 
Try swapping the tubes at the pump and see if the problem changes sides.

Let me know what you find and we will get you going.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
 
Try swapping the tubes at the pump and see if the problem changes sides.

Let me know what you find and we will get you going.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
Welcome back Tom :smt038
 
Tom,

It's great to see you back on the forum! Glad that you are feeling better!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Todd
 
Try swapping the tubes at the pump and see if the problem changes sides.

Let me know what you find and we will get you going.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

Well, I just read this when I got back home. I won't be back at the lake for a while, but I will let you know what happens when I get a chance. I did order a solenoid, but it did not get here before I left Friday. Could the solenoid not be working properly even though it clicks when i apply a power source?
Thanks, and glad you are back!
 
Last edited:
Switched the lines and still does not lower completely. Replacing the solenoid did not help either. What do you recommend next?
Thanks!
 
Horse

Just to be sure, the problem stayed on the stb side? Also does the system have Trim Tab Position indicators at the helm?

Tom
Bennett Marine
 
OK,

Is the boat in the water? It will need to be out to fix the problem. We are going to replace the lower part of the actuator. Can you take a look at this picture and tell me if the actuator has less than 1" of piston shaft exposed when it is fully retracted?

Then send me a Private Message with your name, address and phone number and I will send you the parts to fix it, no charge. After you replace the actuator you can send the original one back to the factory.

Tom
Bennett Marine
 
OK,

Is the boat in the water? It will need to be out to fix the problem. We are going to replace the lower part of the actuator. Can you take a look at this picture and tell me if the actuator has less than 1" of piston shaft exposed when it is fully retracted?

Then send me a Private Message with your name, address and phone number and I will send you the parts to fix it, no charge. After you replace the actuator you can send the original one back to the factory.

Tom
Bennett Marine


Doesn't get much better than that, Tom - You are a class act.

LK
 
Tab man need your advice. After looking at other post. And info from others I need to in large my tabs. Seems like they are way under sized from the start . 96' 270 7.4-B3 . The tabs are 10 1/2 "90 deg bent up x 12" . I seen on a chart should have at least 24" ? Your suggestion please. Thanks
 

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