Engine Hatch, Hydraulic Lifter - Trim Tabs

[a_nyc_scott]

Hi All,

The hydraulic lifter for my engine hatch won't raise the hatch to full height. I can hear the hydraulic pump working but it wouldn't rise more that a foot or two. I traced the hydraulic line back to the pump and found quite a lot of hydraulic fluid in the well where the pump sits. The pump itself is pretty difficult to access. My questions are:

1. Has anyone else had this type of problem on the R-29S (or any other model for that matter) and if so how did they correct/address it.

2. I understand (from reading other forum member's posts) that the pump used for the lifting the engine cover is also used for the trim tabs. Does this pump control any other system (steering for example). Is there a danger in not addressing this problem immediately? Can I still safely use the boat while this problem is being addressed? Is this a problem that can be handled by the boat's owner or should I bring it to a yard to be serviced? How would you recommend removing the leaked hydraulic fluid (and how should the recovered fluid be disposed of)?

As always, I appreciate the collective wisdom of the forum!

Best,

Scott

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Hi Scott, sorry to read of the hydraulic leak. I'll answer a couple of the questions and with the help of others I'm sure you'll get to the bottom of things. I was told the trim tabs should always be in the furtherest up position for the engine cover to work best. You may already be aware of this but if not make a note for the future. It is my understanding that the reservoir only services the trim tabs and engine cover so there should be no other steering concerns, etc. I would guess you could manually lift the engine cover at this point as you probably have lost pressurization. If you can do this lift the engine cover to inspect the lines to the hydraulic engine cover shock for a loose fitting….read oil leak. Also check the reservoir itself for the same at the tank and at the lines to the trim tab fittings. I would purchase some of those oil absorbing pads to lay in the hull for soaking up the oil.

Keep us posted as to what you find and the remedy so we can all learn from your situation.

Jim F

 

[Dale777]

Scott,

On my R31S, I had the same symptom that you describe where the engine hatch would only lift to about 2/3 height. Indeed, you do need to raise the trim tabs to full height before raising the engine hatch to full height, since they both use the same fluid reservoir which is not adequate for both tabs and hatch to be fully extended at the same time.

I found an oil leak on the hydraulic lift piston fluid line connector for the engine hatch. After I tightened that fitting, there was no further leak, but the engine hatch still only raised to about 2/3 height.

The next step was to add hydraulic fluid at the pump reservoir, which on my R31S is on the stern wall behind and below the cockpit seat. The fluid level was in fact low. After the fluid level was raised to normal, the engine hatch now opens to full height.

This pump and reservoir do not control steering of the rudder. They are for the tabs and hatch only. Therefore, if you don't need control over these two items, you can delay resolution of the problem, but you might face more fluid dripping into the bilge which is a no-no unless you sop it up with something for proper disposal. You can buy oil/fuel absorbent towels at any marine store for this purpose.

You should be able to look for, and determine where, the leak is on your own. One good technique is to put blue shop paper towels below any fittings, then operate the hydraulics. Any leak should be very visible on the blue towels. Then you can decide whether you will fix the problem yourself or hire a mechanic.

 

[a_nyc_scott]

All good advice! Thank you.

 

[Scuba Too]

I have a 2017 R29 CB and it is most likely trim tabs not being in the fully upright position. The reservoir can be viewed through the hatch opening under the stern seat in the cockpit. Only the trim tabs and engine hatch are connected to this reservoir. In order to check the level make sure that the trim tabs are full up and the engine hatch is closed, otherwise it's easy to overfill. This was described during orientation on the boat so I knew it was something to watch for.

Note that it took me a few times to remember about the trim tabs while wondering why the engine hatch wouldn't fully open : )