power trim splitting

[jroedl]

I live in Northern WI and store my 15 1/2 foot alumacraft boat with a 90hp Mercury outside. Two years in a row the power trim cylinder has split wide open. Any ideas to prevent this or why it's happening?
Thanks
Jeff

[boats.net]

If it had water in hydraulic unit then it will freeze and cause damage.

[jroedl]

I figured that but why would water get into it? This is the second one two years in a row to do this.

[boats.net]

It would be hard to determine with damaged like it is but probably a seal leaking allowing water to get in.