Leaking Trim Hose

CnC

So after more inspection of our
2001 340 Rinker Fiesta Vee it turns out our trim tabs are in fact hydraulic. Found the source of the leak to be the hose leading to the starboard tab but it appears that the hose has already been replaced at some point in the past. The port side looks original. Our mechanic is on holidays next week and after what he's been thru with the restrictions from Covid I'd say it's well deserved and can't look at it til the week after that. My concern is that given the line has already been replaced could that mean that the cylinder is crapping out and causing the line to fail? Or is there enough play and movement on these to weaken the line to a point where it'll burst?  I think I already know the answer but any suggestions of a temporary fix til our guy can do it?

Grahamu

What brand are the trim tabs?

YYZRC

Tabs are probably Bennett?

Rather than chasing the leak I would swap to electric. The hydraulic are really a pain. I think you can pick up a Lenco electric tab kit for reasonable $$ with cylinders and all required parts. 

CnC

Might be headed that direction I think? My plan was to just fix this and swap out to electric in the fall but might have to speed that up. I'm going to wait til our mechanic has a look. He's a pro at all this and lucky for me has pretty much the same Rinker as us 

YYZRC

Is the boat out of the water?

Grahamu

In the first pic it doesn't look like a Bennett, the hydraulic hose is external. If that is the hydraulic hose it should not be too difficult to remove and have an hydraulic shop make a replacement.

CnC

It's kinda weird though. The hose is secured by hose clamps inside at the pump and appears to be like that in the cylinder end too? The boat is in the water yes

CnC

Should there be two hoses to each cylinder for a pressure and return line?

Grahamu

Only one hose

YYZRC

I think the cylinder has a spring in it that forces it to retract when there is no hydraulic pressure. 

Handymans342

That hose is not protected going thru the fiberglass. 

aero3113

Whats the psi of the system? That hose is only rated for 400 psi , seems low. When I replaced the hoses on my old 242 I think they were rated for 1000 psi.

CnC

Not entirely sure about that. I'll check it today

CnC

From what I can see researching it looks like an insta-trim boat leveling system. 1/4"ID X 1/2"OD 2000psi burst with 400psi operating pressure. I'm wondering if I can buy this stuff at a transmission shop? 

Grahamu

Try Grainger Canada

CnC

Does anyone thing this would be a good option? Kinda looks like plug and play pretty much?

CnC

Actually looking a little further it appears that the entire system is Instra-Trim including the actuators and tabs as well so not sure if there is a difference in actuator travel or not? Maybe this conversion system won't work regardless?

YYZRC

From your pics it looks like the hydraulic hose chafed where it goes through the transom?  Looks like you can still get parts:

http://insta-trim.com/heavy-duty-trim-tabs/parts-diagram/

Maybe you just repair the hose to get you through the season and then spend the winter finding a retrofit kit like the one above?

Grahamu

I would replace both tabs hose with the Insta-trim hose and protect it where they go through the transom. If the rest of the system works fine why replace it?

CnC

Found the suspected issue. Line burst inside the transom bore. My guess is the previous install was too tight causing a stretch and not allowing the extra length to compensate for the extra movement in the actuator? Anyhow, its now repaired for hopefully the rest of the season and I plan to replace everything this fall. Once again I like the idea of knowing exactly where each board is sitting via the lighted gauge so any and all recommendations will be appreciated. I don't want anything too complicated with features connecting it to other stuff but would like the lights. What is everyone else using? Also the plates are 11" X 18". I know that it seems a bit harsh replacing a whole system because of a burst hose but its a bigger pain having to bug my old high school buddy to haul it out for me when he has a business to run

aero3113

They have a kit you can retrofit to have lights if you want to use your existing system. $350.00

http://insta-trim.com/shop/tab-locator-set-round-black-indicator-panel-25-harness/

CnC

Wow @aero3113 I didn't catch that before editing my last post. I'll check it out