losing fluid on my trim tab

[jhalb]

My oil reservoir was empty on my Boat Leveler insta trim on the port side. When I refill and tried to use the trim tab, I noticed oil behind my boat. I tightend the clamp but that didn't stop the oil from leaking into the river. Do the cylinders ever leak or do I need to look closer at the hose?

[Big D]

It's usually the hose; they soften up or get chewed. The rams can leak and the nipple can crack. Have someone activate them at the helm while you watch where the oil comes from. This should be done on the hard to prevent further environmental impact, and you want to minimize the water you're ingesting into the system; not good for hydraulics.

[k9th]

Hydraulic cylinders will leak, usually if the rod seals are bad. The hose may also be leaking so do't rule that out until you verify it for sure. You will have to observe the suspected cylinder while it is pressurized to see if it is leaking.

I've even seen the cylinder tube cracked and leaking so when you observe it under pressure look it over well.

To prevent further oil leaking into the water, I'd haul it to find the leak & fix it.

[BobCT]

Boat Leveler is Insta Trim right? I always get them mixed up. Anyway, I posted earlier in the spring about how to change the cylinder seals. That's probably where it's leaking and not a big deal to fix (exluding the short haul... you could do it in the sling).

I caught mine just before I went in so I did them both.

Bob

[larryeddington]

the cylinders are easy to rebuild, you can get kits from insta trim, there all plastic and seals. Also the pin that hold them on are plastic so they can shear easily, they push right out. You may not need to haul the boat to fix them, though it would be easier when on the hard.

[vabeach1234]

Mine leaked in the hose where they penetrated the transom. I just replaced both hoses.

[jhalb]

It was the hose. Thanks for everybodys help.