225 merc question

[jwclbi]

I have a 1998 225 EFI Merc with a trim issue. While triming the engine up the stainless wire at the midsection/lower unit smokes and heats up. I can not loosen the the nut at the bottom of the wire(rust) to clean for better contact. So I added another wire and grounded near the nut. But because of availability I was only able to find a galvanized wire for a temporary test. It works with no smoke and doesnt stop after 3 cycles, but seems to struggle at full tilt. question is does stainless cunduct better that galv?

[doodlebug]

That wire is more of a bonding wire than a ground for the trim motor, if it is smoking you have a poor ground at the trim harness. If it's a 2 wire trim motor the trim relays reverse the polarity between the 2 wires for up and down the ground wire for the relays is not conducting well it probably needs to be cleaned and or tightened.

[jwclbi]

Thanks Doodlebug, I will check it out, that was a new trim motor 2 years ago. My concern was the rust where that wire bolts on the at the bottom of the wire. would that have something to with it. Everything else is very clean and tight, but I will double check. Any more info would be great, thanks,

[jwclbi]

Well after a lot work I finally had time look at this issue again. After checking the ground for the relays and seeing it was really clean I still took it off and cleaned. Also was able to free and clean the nut that holds the bottom of stainless wire that heats up and smokes during use. And after all that the stainless wire still heats up, smokes, and after a cycle of up and down stops all together. Anybody have any other thoughts?? Almost thinking something in trim motor as mine is a 20" shaft O/B and trim motor gets very wet??

[jwclbi]

Disassembled trim motor and found water and metal shavings. Anybody know someone in south nj good at rebuilding these things? This last one wasnt done so great. Thanks

[jwclbi]

Got new trim motor, installed it, everything works fine. 2 rebuilds later you think i would have learned.