I have what looks like chocolate milk for trim tab fluid. Boat is new to me. Doing all the basics before taking it out. Whats the best way to flush the milky stuff out and replace with fresh trim tab fluid. I will be replacing the trim tab pump mount as its corroded to a stainless steel so will do it all at once and clean things up.


Trim Down and Trailer work fine and smooth. Trim Up does not work. Took apart QuickSilver 3000 Classic shifter and it looked good and with no wire damage that I could see. Was thinking of just replacing both solenoids ($25) since they may be culprits. Just replaced starter slave solenoid and starter and now everything works and it starts right up and purrs.

All trim rams need to be rebuilt, water is most likely coming in through the seals, common problem. With hoses disconnected, filling the reservoir with new fluid should allow gravity draining of the lines. Then circulate the pump with the lines disconnected to clean it out as well. When clear connect the lines to the rebuilt rams and start operating the system. It should self purge.

Check you drive hydraulic system as well. Good chance you have the same issue there.

I once had milky trim fluid too but the rams were fine , it was a loose connection on one of the rams and when it was activated where it generated 'suck' it was pulling water into the system.
Of course , rarely with boats is the fix simple or cheap .

Thank you. I will drain and see if it gets milky again and then see about rebuilding rams. Will do same with B3 drive.

Any recommendation on fluid to use?

Use 10w-30 oil.

Car oil? I have some Redline sitting around.

What fluid you use for your trim TABS would depend on what brand of trim tabs are installed on the boat. Some use motor oil, some use ATF, and some use a special biodegradable oil. How best to flush depends on what brand you have. But it's best to start with dumping the resovior because they often have areas that won't empty out if you just pump or suck the fluid out.

If trailer up works but trim up doesn't. The problem is in the trim limit switch or the wiring. It sounds like both the solenoids are working.

Got around to the drive. Looks like the Trim Limit Switch and wiring is toast.

Got Dexron III ATF per manual. Washed out reservoir tank with atf and drained all fluid out of rams. Lifting and dropping drive. Bit of a work out.

Once I get new stainless steel hardware I'll reinstall with new stainless steel mount.

Hopefully that goes well amd will do sea trial and see what other gremlins I have.

Haven't used mine in years, just pay attention to the drive trim gauge. If you want it repaired the right way is drive removal. There are also ways of doing it with modified tools and 1/4" drive socket set. I need to change out a drive level unit and kicking around just replacing the internals or the entire unit but splicing into the existing wiring using a submersible splice kit typically used for water fountains.

Keith