RollerCoastr
Well-Known Member
- Nov 15, 2007
- 3,884
- Boat Info
- 1997 400DA
340HP 7.4 Mercruiser Bluewaters
Garmin 741, 742, 8212, 24HD, Intellian I2
- Engines
- 1999 280BR
Twin 250HP Merc 350 Alpha Ones
The 280 needs to be fork-lifted onto a rack. I noticed the starboard tab was extended about 3", and it wouldn't retract. Nothing solves that easier than a giant forklift, but I was hoping for a less destructive method. When I hit the button, I heard a gurgle that made me think air had gotten into the system. It's supposedly self-bleeding, but the tab wouldn't move. I had a buddy push upward on the tab while I ran the pump. He couldn't make it budge. Fluid level is fine, if maybe a little high, which could support the air bubble theory?
I gave the forklift operator the heads-up and left to figure out what to do. Apparently the work-around for a stuck tab is to remove the hose off the pump and compress the piston manually, while trying to capture the escaping fluid. Ugh. I decided I'd give the "self-purging" idea another chance by repeatedly running the pump up and down.
Then it occurred to me that the port button, not starboard operates the starboard tab. I had initially started to reach for the starboard drive trim button, stopped myself and went for the starboard tab button. Duh. I pressed the port button until the pump changed pitch, jumped out of the boat to see the tab had retracted. I then did what any self-respecting American Male would do: I found the forklift operator and gave him a thumbs-up announcement that I had successfully purged the air from the lines and the tab was now out of harm's way.
I gave the forklift operator the heads-up and left to figure out what to do. Apparently the work-around for a stuck tab is to remove the hose off the pump and compress the piston manually, while trying to capture the escaping fluid. Ugh. I decided I'd give the "self-purging" idea another chance by repeatedly running the pump up and down.
Then it occurred to me that the port button, not starboard operates the starboard tab. I had initially started to reach for the starboard drive trim button, stopped myself and went for the starboard tab button. Duh. I pressed the port button until the pump changed pitch, jumped out of the boat to see the tab had retracted. I then did what any self-respecting American Male would do: I found the forklift operator and gave him a thumbs-up announcement that I had successfully purged the air from the lines and the tab was now out of harm's way.