Volvo Penta Trim Issues

[TG10]

I just purchased a 2014 R5. I am having some issues with the trim not working when I get on plane. I put a new trim sensor on it this past weekend and noticed when you trim it all the way up is seeps back down a little bit. When I am idling in and out of marinas I can trim it but still notice it seeps back down. When I get on plane, I can not trim it at all. I am thinking either air in the lines or a weak trim pump. anyone had this issue with a solution??

[billk2632]

I've also had a few trim issues with my R5 - also a 2014. Mine would do the same thing, I never could find any leaks. I did find instructions on how to bleed it - really not much to it, make sure the trim fluid is topped off and then bleed it - this really amounts to running the trim fully up and down about 10 times. This pretty much solved my issue - that was right after I bought the boat in 2022. Although now I am noticing starting to do the same thing again. With mine it is not even noticeable when running the boat, trim seems to stay wherever I set it. My boat it dry stored and they require the outdrive to be tilted up (I don't like this, but that's how it is) and mine would fall back down about 1/2 way over the course of a week or two. Like I said it is starting to do this again, so this past weekend I "bleed" it again. If this does not solve it and you cannot find a leak, the only other thing it could be is the trim rams leaking internally in which case you either need to rebuild the ram (new seals) or replace them ($$).

[jhnmdahl]

If it needs bleeding after being used a while, it may suggest a leak where air is getting into the system or a leaky trim pump. A leaky ram, and you should notice a bit of dripping (maybe not always?).

[TG10]

Is there a bleed screw? I topped the fluid off and ran it up and down a few times. I see no external leaks and was planning on just rebuilding the rams but didn’t know if there was something else I was missing or could try first

[billk2632]

No bleed screw, just run it up/down 10 or so times. If you go the rebuild route check out Five Star Marine in FL. They rebuild trim, steering and other marine hydraulic systems, also sell kits if you want to do it yourself. I talked with them when I first had issues, but bleeding resolved mine back then.