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It's All In The Trim (21-4)
by Steve Horsfall
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I am
trying to find some information about my 190 Celebrity.
It's powered by a 4.3 L MerCruiser with an Alpha I drive.
What is the boat weight for this model? Also, what is
the wide open throttle speed for the 4.3 L (RPM) and
the best prop to use? I am currently trying to determine
a trim/tilt problem with the Power Trim XL. The sender
kit was replaced a few years ago and they look in good
shape from the exterior. The trailer function works
great, but the trim/tilt seems to miss. I have to adjust
the drive up and down before it gets going. Any suggestions?
F. Patry (e-mail)
The information I have on the 190 Celebrity says that
the dry weight is approximately 2,700 pounds with a
5.7 L Volvo Penta, so I would think the weight of the
190 with a 4.3 L would be a couple hundred pounds lighter.
Wide open throttle should be approximately 4,800 rpm
(max). For best performance, size the prop to run in
this range (4,300-4,800 rpm).
Regarding the problem with the trim, there are two senders,
located on each side of the drive. One sends a signal
to the trim gauge, allowing you to see the movement
of the drive, and the other is a trim-limit switch that
causes the power trim to shut off at its maximum up/trim
position, preventing damage while underway. The most
common problem with these units are broken wires between
the sender and transom plate. On earlier models, the
wires could be changed by simply replacing the wire
harness, but current models require the replacement
of the senders and wires as one unit.
The senders will have to be checked out by a mechanic
to determine the type you have. Then, they will need
to be properly set-up for the right amount of trim-out
protection.
Quick Response (Follow-up from the previous
inquiry):
Excellent. Thanks for all of the information. In regards
to the sender unit, I found invoices that showed they
had changed the sender kit a few years ago. They look
very new. The cables also look new. Could the problem
be my solenoid? I do see two, I assume there is one
for the UP position and one for the DOWN position. They
are only $50/each at a marine shop close to where I
live. I was thinking of changing one to see if it does
make a difference. Do you think this is a good idea?
F. Patry (e-mail)
If you don't find any breaks in the sender wires on
the exterior of the boat, it could very well be the
solenoid, especially if the intermittent operation is
always in the one direction. You are correct that one
solenoid is for the UP position and one for the DOWN
position. However, if the tilt-up function always works,
but the trim-up function doesn't, the solenoid will
not solve your problem. This combination would make
me suspect the trim-limit switch.
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE
In November 2005, I e-mailed Power Boating Canada about
a replacement windshield for my 1996 Doral 216 CC, which
was broken. You recommended I contact Doral in Midland,
Ontario. Well I did, and Jordan Monro in Midland managed
to get the part numbers and ordered it from Taylor Made.
I did received it and I installed the windshield yesterday.
It looks great. I would like to thank Jordan Monro at
Doral, your editor Steve Fennell, and you for your help.
Keep up the good work with Power Boating Canada, it's
a great magazine!
D. MacDonald (e-mail)
While we certainly try to help all readers and it is
nice to receive this kind of support. However, in another
recent letter about windshields we had recommended Omar/Canadian
Canopy of Barrie, Ontario, as another source for replacement
windshields. I have been informed by Linda Barrick of
Duke Marine Services in Port Carling that Omar/Canadian
Canopy no longer conduct windshield work. If any readers
know of another company that makes replacement windshields
or repairs damaged ones, please write and let us know
and we will pass the information along.
QUICK STUDY
I own an older 18-foot Tempest with a 120 hp MerCruiser
I/O. The sterndrive is beginning to need regular service
work and some replacement parts. My question is, are
there any courses or classes I can take to learn about
servicing and repairing sterndrives, preferably on nights
or weekends? I have tried many community colleges but
have been unsuccessful, with the exception of Georgian
College. They only offer full-time classes. Any information
would be appreciated.
D. Morrison (e-mail)
Your best bet would be to check out your local chapter
of the Canadian Power Squadron. They offer marine engine
courses you can take in the evenings, etc. As far as
servicing a sterndrive, they would mostly cover skills
in preventive maintenance, since overhauling a drive
requires a lot of special factory tools that are too
expensive for the do-it-yourself mechanic.
Got a question, a problem? Send inquiries to Steve
Horsfall at stephen.horsfall@sympatico.ca Fax: 905-624-6764.
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