Newer Mercury 115 HP leg won't stay up

[baddogg]

Left the boat ramp yesterday and discovered that my leg was down when I got home. Only a 15 minute drive. Put it up again and it dropped again on it's own.

Motor is still under warranty but wondering if there is something I can do at home. No visible leaks. Thanks

 

[Pearl dog]

Most power trim motors have a manual release in the event of trim/tilt motor failure. Usually a slotted screw on the side of the tilt/mount bracket. Perhaps this screw is partially loosened and its slowly bleeding down?
You said no visible leaks but I think I'd check to confirm fluid level is in order.
Secondary to the issue itself but doesn't that motor have some type of trailering bracket or flip lock to support the raised motor while on the road?

 

[baddogg]

Most power trim motors have a manual release in the event of trim/tilt motor failure. Usually a slotted screw on the side of the tilt/mount bracket. Perhaps this screw is partially loosened and its slowly bleeding down?
You said no visible leaks but I think I'd check to confirm fluid level is in order.
Secondary to the issue itself but doesn't that motor have some type of trailering bracket or flip lock to support the raised motor while on the road?

Thanks for the info. Just had a look at my manual. Apparently it does have a bracket. Never noticed it before.

 

[Pearl dog]

Cool. Just be aware some tilt support brackets are for maintenance and not intended for trailering. Mine has both. But it’s not a mercury.
Whatever the manual recommends is likely best practice.

 

[spring fever]

Thanks for the info. Just had a look at my manual. Apparently it does have a bracket. Never noticed it before.

Don't use that bracket for trailering. I have a 115 merc and keep a 2 X1 piece of wood just to lower the motor on for trailering just in case of hydraulic failure. Foolproof and cheap. I suppose you could even attach it if you wanted.

 

[Pineapple Express]

Check that the tilt release bypass screw is tight. If loose, tighten. If it's good then book in to the service shop for warranty work.

 

[baddogg]

Update, checked the fluid level, all good. Yes I do have a tilt support bracket, previously undiscovered. The tilt bypass screw was a bit loose, tightened same. Cycled the trim up and down a few times. So far so good. No creeping. Thanks for the input.

 

[ryanb]

My 115 did the same thing when new, but more slowly. It would take a couple of hours to drop. It stopped doing it while waiting for warranty parts so I never fixed it. Been fine for 4 years now.