Engine hatch won't close

[LET IT BE]

2013 R 29
Today when I opened the engine hatch for inspection it would not close. The pump (trim tab) was responding to the down switch but the cylinder would not retract. I tried cycling it up and down but no luck. I tried pushing it down manually no luck. I had to disconnect the upper strut pin and loosen the hydraulic fitting on the bottom of the cylinder to bleed off some fluid to allow the strut to be compressed enough to get it to clear the aft end of the opening and put the strut inside the hatch so I could close the hatch manually.
My impression is a valve is not opening to allow hydraulic fluid to return to the resevoir.
Do,you have any trouble shooting procedures to figure out the problem. The boat is on the hard and I did not try operating the trim tabs.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Dave
LET IT BE

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Two things....if you have trim tabs make sure they are in the complete up position, as this takes pressure off of the hydraulics. I was told at delivery to not take the hatch all the way up, maybe 80%, most likely for the reason you ae having a problem. Obviously you could have a different problem. Let us know what the answer is when you get it diagnosed.

Jim F

 

[Andrew Custis]

Bennett had an issue with the trim tab pumps on some earlier models where the valve for the engine hatch lift would get stuck. Only way I could get them to close was to loosen the screw at the base of hydraulic cylinder and let some fluid out. Bennett has a five year warranty on their parts to the original purchaser so you might contact them and see whether or not they can help as I think a new pump is going to be required.

 

[LET IT BE]

As promised I have an update on the failure of the hatch to close. At the same time I had noticed the house batteries were showing a slightly lower voltage the either the engine or the thruster batteries. The house batteries lost more voltage over a couple of weeks and the charger did not bring the voltage back up so I have replaced the house bank (4AGM) and that seems to have solved the problem. So it looks as if the solenoid that allows fluid to return to the reservoir is sensitive to Low Voltage.
So if you have an engine hatch that won't close check that the house batteries are strong and charged before blaming the hydraulic pump.