NEWExplore America's campgrounds on our interactive map

How to Bleed a Mercruiser Trim Pump

How to Bleed a Mercruiser Trim Pump
Written By
C.L. Rease
C.L. Rease
Oct 11, 2010
2 minute read

Removing the air from the trim pump makes your boat safer. The trim pump connected to a Mercruiser boat engine raises and lowers the lower unit that drives your boat. When air enters the trim pump, the lower unit will not move when you press the trim tab switch. With the trimming inactive, you cannot control the way the boat planes or adjust its bow height in rough water.

Items you will need

  • Hydraulic fluid

  • Flathead screwdriver

  • Adjustable wrench

  • Plastic container

  • Plug

  • Rags

Turn the fill screw on the top-right side of the trim pump tank counterclockwise with a flathead screwdriver. Pour hydraulic fluid into the tank until the level reaches the "Full" line. Replace the fill screw.

Disconnect the leftmost (Up) line from the trim cylinder with an adjustable wrench. Place the end of the hose in a plastic container.

Press the "Up" side of the trim switch until a solid stream of fluid comes from the end of the hose. Thread the end of the line into the trim cylinder. Tighten the line with the adjustable wrench. Fill the pump with hydraulic fluid as described earlier. Leave the trim in the full up position.

Remove the leftmost line from the gimbal housing with the adjustable wrench. Thread a plug into the gimbal hole. Tighten the plug with an adjustable wrench. Set the loose end of the hose into a plastic container. Make sure the trim is still in the full up position.

Remove the plug from the gimbal with the adjustable wrench. Press the "Down" side of the trim switch until a solid stream of fluid flows from the gimbal. Replace the hose. Tighten the hose with an adjustable wrench.

Refill the hydraulic fluid tank. Wipe leaked hydraulic fluid from the area with rags.

Warnings

Wear eye protection when bleeding a trim pump.

C.L. Rease

C.L. Rease , based in Texas, has been a professional construction and outdoor writer since 2003. His articles have appeared in The News-Press, a local Southwest Florida newspaper and a small Southwest Florida fishing magazine. Rease served…

Sponsored
Gone Outdoors Logo

Explore the outdoors with the best source for fishing, boating, camping, hunting, firearms, electronics, trailers and towing, maintenance and much more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.