97 yamaha 150 power trim issues

[dominionbuilder]

Got a 1997 yamaha vmax 150 on a skeeter zx185. One of the power trim pistons was leaking where the piston comes out. Took a punch & hammer & gently tapped the trim cap in the direction to tighten it up & it was loose a little. Also noticed when running motor down the lake & letting off throttle the motor wanted to kick out of the water & drop back hard back down on the trim pistons. Question...? how do I make sure the large center "ram" piston has the proper amount of fluid as well as the 2 trim pistons?

Need help!!

Thanks

[rodbolt17]

by cycling it up and down a few times.
your trim unit has an issue.
could be the shock valve or the shock return valve or a few other things.

[dominionbuilder]

97 yamaha 150 trim issues

OK. Thanks.

Not being an outboard mechanic, where would the shock valve or shock return valve be located? Thanks.

[dominionbuilder]

Also would it be normal after trimming motor up enough to be away from touching the 2 trim pistons that I can freely lift the motor completely up? Should that main ram piston have solid presssure to it whether going up or down? Thanks.

[rodbolt17]

sounds like you have a shock valve issue.
will require disassembling the tilt piston assy to inspect.
could also be some other valveing problem.
need to get it fixed before it cracks a transom bracket.

[99yam40]

is it possible it is full of air because of being so low on fluid?

Air will compress where the fluid will not.
Can you feel any resistance at all when lifting by hand?

[dominionbuilder]

No resistance when lifting by hand. Just seems to be free once off the 2 trim pistons. Run the boat again after trying to bleed air out & still wants to kick out of water when I let off throttle.

Thanks