Detwiler Hydro Jack Problems

[Bass Cat Boats]

Older Detwiler plates have four stem bolts around the ram that require re-tensioning. These tend to stretch and require tightening or the ends will separate and the lower o-ring will pop out. We dont know what the dealership did to loosen the plate, though we would place a block under the skeg and jack the nose up, with the engine trimmed down. You should be able to put pressure on the plate and help it move some. This is why BCB does not suggest excess equipment that requires maintenance. They also suggest stowing plates at heights where you intend to use them so you are always water ready in such cases.

[Bass Cat Boats]

I am not clear what bolts need to be re-tightened or adjusted. Any drawings available or installation instructions?.

[Bass Cat Boats]

No, though if you look at the top of the plate you should see the four nuts around the stem center on the hydraulic ram assembly. There are nuts top and bottom to adjust.

[Bass Cat Boats]

OK I found the 4 bolts you were talking about. 3 of the 4 were very loose, like 3 or 4 turns to snug up. I tightened all till all were snug. Plate still does not move up or down. How about fluid level? How and where is the fill point? I did not try putting a jack under the plate as I did originally, I will try that again while I wait for your reply. By the way, thank you for all your time helping me with this.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Check voltage at the pump and for a cycle onthe relays, then your at the mercy of the pump.

[clownshoes]

I assume you just unscrew yellow tab with jackplate up and fill it til it spills out? All that motor is on a detwiler plate is a trim motor from like a 75hp merc. Would fill it as such. Only q I cant remember is if all the way down or up is best to check from Last edited by clownshoes on August 23rd, 2014, 4:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.C.O.D. Jr. III

[Tideman]

What kind of fluid???Thanks

[1hoteyra]

Fill it with cylinder retracted (down) or you can easily over fill and make a mess. When its extended most of the fluid is in cylinder. When it retracts the fluid has to have room to return to the resevoir. I use transmission fluid.

[kirkpal1]

OK here is the deal. My jack plate stopped working after the boat had been setting up for a couple of months. When I worked on the problem the first time I put a jack under the plate and was able to raise the it while applying pressure and running the hydraulics. I was able to lower it back down by releasing the pressure and shacking the motor while running the hydraulics in lower mode. It would only come down while violently shacking the engine. I gave up on it and have fished several months now with out using the jack plate. I decided to make another stab at it yesterday. I was able to get the plate almost fully extended again by putting a lot of pressure pushing the motor up. Now I cannot get it to lower no mater how much I shake or move the outboard. Now I am stuck, I cannot use my boat with the motor raised to the point it is now.Please hep me…..

[Bass Cat Boats]

I gotta believe the trim motor on the plate has a manual release screw just like your outboard does. Then I would lube the heck out of the cylinders via the Zerks that are on them, check power to the two actuators in the bilge, and if that doesnt work detwiler is VERY good about sending replacement trim motorsC.O.D. Jr. III

[Bass Cat Boats]

Year model>?

[Bass Cat Boats]

2004 Pantara . Detwilder same year I assume.

[Bass Cat Boats]

That would be a Detwiler pump that they manufactured. We cant help you on that one ourselves, PA might have some insight.

[1hoteyra]

Ok, heres what I would do. Great, your motor is raised high. You need to detach your jack plate crossmember from the end of the cylinder. Probably an allen bolt that screws into the end of the cylinder. See if your Hydraulics will retract (down) the cylinder without crossmenber (motor) attached. If cylinder retracts and your motor doesnt move, the guides on jack plate are seized or damaged. Then you have a mechanical issue. If cylinder will not retract with motor detached, you have hydraulic (pump) issue. May cost a buck or two but you gotta figure out where you have to throw some money at first! Try this and post outcome and someone can guide you through is.Last edited by 1hoteyra on August 24th, 2014, 5:58 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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