Broke off Zerk question

[Gettingrouper]

Hi guys, I have an 2013- F225 I recently bought (low hrs) and noticed that there is a grease fitting to the starboard side of the starboard tilt tube zerk, well it was broke off,,, so I removed the remaining male threads and noticed it was kind of corroded inside the hole , I sprayed brake clean to clean out the cavity then I stuck a pick inside and it only goes aprox 3/16" inside, so I'm guessing how the heck or where the heck does the grease go , I screwed in a new zerk and NO GO, it will not accept grease, so what should I do ?? run a 1/8" drill bit inside ?? I don't get it & I surly don't want to ruin anything, any help or suggestions would be very appreciated...
Thank you
Ken H

[fairdeal]

too early in the morning for my brain to parse
"a grease fitting to the starboard side of the starboard tilt tube zerk"

but since enough time passed after the zerk broke off, to be "corroded inside the hole"

my guess is you've got rust closing off the clearance between parts where the grease should be going.

you could completely disassemble - although I wouldn't be happy having to do that

I think I would try cobbling up a way to pressurize that zerk with some liquid wrench, let it sit overnight

[pstephens46]

Corroded zerk fitting is somewhat telling, no? How would that happen? Amazing. Like an 11 year old thermostat....

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Now, he just bought the engine, ^^^, so 11 year old thermostats don't count!!!


For the OP, first, make sure the new fitting does allow grease to go thru...

I would then, as posted above, spray some PB blaster or other penetrant (NOT WD40).

Re-install your zirk fitting and put a hair drier on the area while pumping grease. If the old grease is gooed up, (and it does happen-especially if not greased often enough), the heat should help loosen that up and hopefully you can pump any crap/rust out.

Trimming and tilting at the same time if necessary can't hurt either.



Good luck..

[pstephens46]

2013 engine.

[Gettingrouper]

Thx for the replies, the zerk "was not" corroded , it was broke off.I would think a pick would clean it out, but it is def hard material inside. I will remove the new zerk and verify that it is good, then proceed... IF indeed its a corrosion issue, I may be able to get my dremil with a specific bit and clean out the inside, Just guessing..
Thank you all.

[Gettingrouper]

Thx for the answers, I will remove the zerk and verify that indeed it works, The zerk was not corroded, it was broke off. I may be able to use my dremil with a specific bit to go inside. When I used a pick, the inside back was very hard...
Thx guys

[cpostis]

OK, was trying not to but in, but you are having so much trouble
Try what other have said First

However, given what you and all have mentioned, I think there are only three reasonable reasons you can not pump grease to the tilt tube.

1. Hardened grease between the exit of the grease fitting to the ram
2. Debris between the grease fitting and the ram
3. Tilt tube grease hole not aligned with the port in the bracket

1. Doubt it, your motor is 3 years old
2. Sure could be, left over metal from the broken fitting, corrosion
3. Used motor? could someone have broken the tube during maintenance/installation and the broken piece rotated, same with corrosion. Doubt it could be because of corrosion at 3 years old.

If still trouble you might want to consider this...

Your port side grease fitting is clear? If not, maybe your whole tilt tube is out of alignment.

If it is clear and you can easily remove the fitting without breaking maybe you want to try this.

After removing the port side fitting, take a small diameter probe (a fishing bridle needle would work perfect) and insert into the grease bore to the bottom. mark with tape or otherwise where it meets bracket. Go to the starboard grease hole bore and insert the same probe. See if there is a difference on how deep the probe goes. You may want to see if you tap it lightly it goes further. that would suggest hardened grease. If it doesn't go further, either metal debris or misaligned tilt tube.

Then you might consider disassembly and inspection.

Just edited. Sorry, but apparently you motor doesn't have a port side fitting. But some of this info may help you.

Good luck

[Gettingrouper]

Chuck, 1st off it is NOT either of the 2zerks "on the tilt tube" I have another zerk looking at the motor from the helm, 3 " to the left of the tilt tube zerk.. I did find a ton of salt etc and I am trying to slowly clean it all out, will do as mentioned and let some pent. oil soak over night.
BTW , both tilt tube zerks accept grease , just this other one that was broke, wont , I have most all the gunk out, so I am making progress...
Thx a bunch

[cpostis]

Chuck, 1st off it is NOT either of the 2zerks "on the tilt tube" I have another zerk looking at the motor from the helm, 3 " to the left of the tilt tube zerk.. I did find a ton of salt etc and I am trying to slowly clean it all out, will do as mentioned and let some pent. oil soak over night.
BTW , both tilt tube zerks accept grease , just this other one that was broke, wont , I have most all the gunk out, so I am making progress...
Thx a bunch

OK, now you really have me curious. Can you post a pic of the grease fitting and location? What is you complete engine model #?

Thanks!!

[Gettingrouper]

PM sent Chuck

[TownsendsFJR1300]

The rest of us want to see too!

Also, do you have access to a small air compressor? That would also help pushing (with air pressure) the penetrating oil thru out the tube...
100 PSI tight in that hole WILL move some oil...

[Gettingrouper]

I did get some air to go in, however when in put the zero in,not hardly any grease, I will keep messing,with it guys, thx a bunch....

[Gettingrouper]

I did get some air to go in Scot, but after re inserting the zerk , the grease still does'nt seem to want to flow, I will keep trying with some penetrating fluids , air etc. And yes the zerk works fine out of the housing...
Actually after reinserting the air nozz, the little bit of air was actually coming from the stem on the nozzle of the air gun.. Done for the day, tired of messing with it...

[TownsendsFJR1300]

When you start to play with it again, try the hair drier trick. Spay some some lube while warm to hot, let it suck it in, T&T it a bit...

I used to use Wally world grease (marine as I re-call), and for the steering swivel, it would barely come out one end after a couple of years. Went thru many rags getting excess hardened up grease from both ends and eventually got it cleared and open at both ends...

I now use the Yamaha marine grease which surprisingly, isn't much more...

Good luck, you'll get it...