Trim Tabs leaking

[griff]

New to boating and just purchased an '05 240 Sun Deck. Noticed yesterday that oil or something was leaking at the Stern. Not much just a little film. When I pulled the boat out and trailered home I noticed hydrolick (pickish oil) leaking out of the Trim Tab.

I would think this was the leak in the water. Three screws hold the top of the hydr ram. Does anyone know if there is a gasket there that I may be able to change as an easy fix or do you think this could be major.

Thanks!

 

[Tabman]

Griff,

The actuators (rams) on a Bennett Trim Tab system can easily be rebuilt by the boat owner. The internal O-rings can be changed without having to remove actuator from the transom, unless you saw the fluid leaking out from the top triangular part.

Here is an easy test to see where the leak is. If the Trim Tabs clear the trailer bunks run them both to the full down position. Then leave then there overnight. The Trim Tab with the leak will retract on its own as it losses pressure. You may be able to see the fluid on the shaft or Trim Tab.

Once you determine which Trim Tab is leaking we would be delighted to send you replacement O-rings and instructions how to change them at no cost.

Let Me know what you find.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

 

[Don Sr]

Big thanks to Bennett helping me diagnois a tab leak and sending me the parts to repair. I'm not sure I have had better customer service than at Bennett, thanks again Don.

 

[griff]

Tom Thanks for the reply. I have posted pics were the leaks are. it is at the top bracket. looked like it coming out pretty good from the trailer ride home and dosn't look like much came out overnight. I had hosed off but you can see were the hyd oil was.

Thanks for your help.

 

[BoomerangII]

Griff,

The actuators (rams) on a Bennett Trim Tab system can easily be rebuilt by the boat owner. The internal O-rings can be changed without having to remove actuator from the transom, unless you saw the fluid leaking out from the top triangular part.




Hey Tom,
This is where my leak is (top of the transom mount). Leaks constantly. What is involved with the repair, something a shade tree guy can do?

Thanks

 

[griff]

i uploaded pics but not sure were to access them on this site. I can email them to you as well.

Thanks,

 

[Tabman]

Griff,

Can you tell me where the photos are?

If the leak is where the cylinder body meets the Upper Hinge (top bracket) the first thing to try is grabbing the cylinder body and give it a robust turn clockwise. No need to remove the actuator from the Tab as the cylinder body will spin around the piston shaft. The cylinder body is threaded into the upper hinge and tightening it may seal the O-ring between the them.

If the leak is due to a crack in the upper hinge, it can be replaced and again it's a DIY job. We can send a replacement upper hinge and instructions to change it at no cost.

Sea Ray uses some slightly modified actuators on some models and we would need to make sure that we supplied the correct upper hinge if it needs to be replaced. The way to tell is if there is less than 1" of exposed piston shaft at the bottom of the cylinder body when the Trim Tabs are in the fully retracted position. If there is less than 1" then you need a "short spacer" upper hinge. If there is about an inch or more than it is a standard upper hinge.

If I can look at the pictures I can probably advise on which upper hinge.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

 

[Tabman]

Boomerang,

Take a look at what I just posted for Griff.

Griff,
My e-mail is TLMCGOW@aol.com you can send me the photos. I'm going out for a while but I'll take a look this afternoon.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

 

[griff]

tried to attach again not sure they are going threw. I just emailed them to you Tom

 

[Tabman]

Griff,

Received the photos. It looks like the upper hinge should be replaced., and that it is a standard upper hinge. Pleases send your name, address and phone number to Josh Berg, Jberg@bennetttrimtabs.com 954-427-1400 and tell him Tom McGow said to send you a standard upper hinge with instructions to change it out, at no charge.

Once you receive the replacement upper hinge and look over the instructions let me know if you have any questions.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

 

[mistercomputerman]

Mr. Tabman

What is the diagnostic procedure when you have adjusted the trim and then the boat slowly comes back out of trim?

Thanks!

 

[Tabman]

Rick,

We are going to do the same test, put the Trim Tabs all the way down and leave them there overnight. On your 410 it might be hard to see if they come up unless you have indicators. If you don't have indicators you can try using a boathook if you can reach the trailing edge of the tabs. When they are fully down male a mark on the boathook where it hits the swim platform and compare it to what you get the next dat.

You did not mention if the Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) is losing fluid. If it not losing fluid and the Tabs are coming up on their own then the Valve Seats in the HPU may be fouled or damaged.

It is an easy job to replace the Valve Seats and we can supply those along with instructions on how to change them at no cost.

If you can't really see the if the Trim Tabs are retracting at the dock and you are not losing fluid it would be worthwhile to replace the Valve Seats anyway.

If you are loosing fluid and you see no evidence of it in the boat, than an O-ring in one of the actuators may need to be replaced during your next haul out.

I hope this helps, let me know what you find and wish to do. I will be delighted to help.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

 

[themorganjane]

Tabman,

I noticed that my Starboard Trim tab will not stay down. creeps its way back up. Ran a test and noticed fluid in the water. No visible fluid leak in ER. The boat is a 48 Sundancer. Each Tab uses 2 hydraulic actuators. Two questions. 1. Where should I start? and 2. Can I fix everything in the water or does the boat need to be pulled on to land. I can stand on the hydraulic swim platform when in the down position and the entire tab assembly is easily accesible, it is just completely submerged in water. Thanks in advance for the help

 

[Tabman]

Themorganjane,

It sounds as if there may be a leaking O-ring in one of the actuators for the Starboard Trim Tab. In order to replace the O-rings the boat would have to be out of the water. We could arrange to send you replacement O-rings and instructions on how to change them so you can replace them the next time you haul out.

If you send your name, address and phone number to M.J. Thomas MJTHOMAS@BENNETTTRIMTABS.COM 954-427-1400 and tell him I sent you from the Club SeaRay website and that you need piston and upper hinge O-rings for two actuators, he will mail them right out at no charge.

Let me know if you have any questions and I will be delighted to help.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

 

[mistercomputerman]

Rick,

We are going to do the same test, put the Trim Tabs all the way down and leave them there overnight. On your 410 it might be hard to see if they come up unless you have indicators. If you don't have indicators you can try using a boathook if you can reach the trailing edge of the tabs. When they are fully down male a mark on the boathook where it hits the swim platform and compare it to what you get the next dat.

You did not mention if the Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) is losing fluid. If it not losing fluid and the Tabs are coming up on their own then the Valve Seats in the HPU may be fouled or damaged.

It is an easy job to replace the Valve Seats and we can supply those along with instructions on how to change them at no cost.

If you can't really see the if the Trim Tabs are retracting at the dock and you are not losing fluid it would be worthwhile to replace the Valve Seats anyway.

If you are loosing fluid and you see no evidence of it in the boat, than an O-ring in one of the actuators may need to be replaced during your next haul out.

I hope this helps, let me know what you find and wish to do. I will be delighted to help.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

Tom

Thanks for the troubleshooting procedure. The cylinders are both new this season. I'll be in the bilge this afternoon and look for evidence of leakage at the HPU or at the hoses and fittings. I may take you up on the offer for new seats.

Thanks!