Only going up WHY?
 

OMC stringer outdrive only will go up, but won't go down under power. Isn't it the same trim motor? And the motor is a chevy 350 (omc 260) it won't circulate water? Is there a way to bypass the water pick ups and check only the water pump? What if I pull the thermostat out?

Forgot to mention, when I push the tilt switch down, it kills the motor if its running, but the outdrive comes up as normal when the tilt switch is pushed up, motor stays running fine, no drop in rpm

Does your Volt guage drop when you try to go down?

I didn't check. I'll do that next. I don't believe it does though... What would a voltage drop mean? What would a lack of a voltage drop mean?

My brother has had a few of these stringer drives in the past...I'll ask him. Seems that I remember him telling me about several different solonoids and that they were just like the ones that Ford used to use as remote starter solonoids...cheap and available everywhere. Check to see if ther is an up solonoid as well as a down solonoid...if there is that could be your problem. I will ask and get back to you here.

Thanks sprink! Is that solenoid on the outdrive on on the transom wall inside the bilge?

OK...spoke with my brother...says that as he recalls there are 4 solonoids. I don't know where they are mounted but could be anywhere. The way to verify if that is your problem is to locate each and put a jumper wire accross the solonid lugs to see if the pump runs down when you jump it...if it does then you know. You can buy those solonoids at BOW or West or even Auto Zone...they are the same. Shoudn't be more than $10~$12 or so...he said always carry spares because when they fail you are stuck.

Hope this helps.

Thanks sprink, I'll check them out and it's probably that. Any idea why water would come out of the thermostat housing but not circulate through the rest of the motor?

Possibly a stuck thermostat

I tested hoses?thermostat etc and the diagnoses is that the impeller isn't pushing in sufficient water. So... I have a new impeller kit, I need help getting this stringer outdrive apart. Anyone that has dealt with this drive?

You can get a manual online at Seloc.com

Tried Seloc and must be an idiot because I can't find the manual. I have the full outdrive off the boat WITHOUT destroying the shift cable!!! Now how do I seperate the upper and lower? OMC Stringer 800. I think I have all the bolts out...

You have to get a manual....you're shooting in the dark with out one.....seriously. Check for youtube videos online also.

Searched for hours yesterday, found some odd an end diagrams and pictures including old manual pics. Outdrive came off smoothly and apart after going real slow lol. Down to just pounding the much corroded impeller housing out and everything should go back together smoothly. What a learning experience. I wonder if I should take picture and document.... Then I gotta replace the tilt solenoid

Did you make sure that there is not a bolt under the cavitation plate?

There was a bolt under the cav plate, but I pulled it...