Mariner 9.9 tilt lock problem

[Mikefule]

I have a Mariner 9.9, 4 stroke.

It will tilt, in forward gear as per the manual, but when I move the knob to the "lock" position and try to let the lock take the weight of the engine it just clicks and allows the engine to go back down to the untilted position. Any suggestions, please?

[Fenlander]

If it is the same arrangement as the older 2-stroke this is a common issue when the sliding pin arrangement gets sticky, seized or bent. There's a thread somewhere on here about sorting it... by Max I think.

Edit: Here it is... http://www.rib.net/forum/f36/mariner...pin-61712.html

Max had a bent pin, mine was just dry lubrication.

[Mikefule]

On closer examination, the answer was a simple one: don't forget everything I know from 20+ years of boating just because it's a new engine and I'm demonstrating it to someone else on a hot day. I was just doing it wrong. I was lifting it too high before lowering it into the "locked" position. #mortified #ashamed #autoflagellation

[Max...]

All been there and done it. Steering seemed tight today until 5 mins later I realised I'd left the 'autopilot' tension on locked, rarely go out without making some glaring error!

Back on the tilt thingy - with the Mariners, the channels and pins need *frequent* greasing to keep working smoothly.