TAPS fluid leak?

[TonyTheTige]

I took the boat out a couple of weeks ago to get it ready for the upcoming season. About a week later I noticed the accumulation of some fluid (presumable hydraulic fluid) on the wakeplate. I had a mechanic tell me a little seepage is normal. There was enough fluid that it dripped off the plate and onto my driveway. Below is a pic. The circles are where the fluid is coming from, the white scribbling is where the largest "puddle" was.

Is this normal? Thanks in advance.

[bobbysky]

I don't think it's normal, but I wouldn't say the rams are shot either. There is probably just an o-ring in both that need to be replaced.

[laserfish]

Call Bennett Marine, their customer service is excellent. That is who made the rams and can help you troubleshoot.

[rollem wake]

just a note, the good folks @ Fortes recommend that you keep your taps in the up; This will keep the fluid in the tank.

[TonyTheTige]

Thanks, I'll start making some phone calls today.

[NICKYPOO]

Yup, great people over at Bennett. I had the same issue. They sent me a rebuild kit free of charge even though the warranty had just expired. Your warranty has long since expired but, I don't think the kit is all that expensive. It's not that hard of a fix. Give yourself an afternoon to do it. When you finish early, you can drink beer for the rest of it.

[TonyTheTige]

Bennett Marine is no joke. The guy I spoke to offered to send out a whole new set of O-rings before I was even finished explaining the issue. Free of charge, not even shipping. Rare to find customer service like that nowadays. Extremely friendly and put up with my 'not-so-mechanically inclined' questions.

[evil0ne]

I wonder if they'll retroactively reimburse me for the two times I had to replace the TAPS plate and was charged by the dealer both times.

[ajholt7]

Make sure the cylinders are fully retracted before you take anything apart. They have a spring return and you will take a bath in fluid if not.

[TonyTheTige]

Make sure the cylinders are fully retracted before you take anything apart. They have a sprung return and you will take a bath in fluid if not.

Will do. But just to clarify, retracted meaning wake plate all the way up? Right now it's in a slightly down position. When I get home tonight, I'll be changing the position based on these recommendations.

[ajholt7]

Will do. But just to clarify, retracted meaning wake plate all the way up? Right now it's in a slightly down position. When I get home tonight, I'll be changing the position based on these recommendations.

Yes, all the way up. I learned this the hard way when I replaced mine. I disconnected the hose and got soaked.

[majestic]

I noticed mine leaking today from the top where it mounts to the hull I have 3 weeks left on my warranty so I will try through the dealer first but nice to know going though Bennett should be an easy fix.

[Iwndr]

I noticed mine leaking today from the top where it mounts to the hull I have 3 weeks left on my warranty so I will try through the dealer first but nice to know going though Bennett should be an easy fix.

Mine was leaking in the same place, it was worked on under warranty while it was in for winterization last fall. We see how it does this season

[ajholt7]

I noticed mine leaking today from the top where it mounts to the hull I have 3 weeks left on my warranty so I will try through the dealer first but nice to know going though Bennett should be an easy fix.

That is where mine was leaking from. When I removed it I found it was leaking around where the transducer wire goes into it. I got a new one under warranty.

[TonyTheTige]

From what I can tell, mine is leaking from the bottom. Another quick question, is the TAPS system powered by an electric motor? I turned the key and tried to put he plate in the up position last night, but it didn't move. Does the engine need to be on to move the plate?