Albin AD2 Stuck in Forward

[SailorKeddy]

I have a reliable running Albin AD2 in my 30' Allied Seawind but the gearbox is stuck in forward! its not a linkage issue, I've ruled that out. Any suggestions for next steps? repair? rebuild? repower? outboard?

Any suggestions at all would be great!

[Acushla]

If water has got into the gearbox then the shift mechanism could have jambed in forward gear. This is a bottom end inspection (ie oil condition) followed by strip and rebuild if water is present

Acushla

[SkiprJohn]

Tough engine. I would not repower or outboard unless you just don't like it. Just repair the gearbox.

Maybe these folks can help you? Välkommen till Albin Motor

kind regards,

[SailorKeddy]

Yeah no water in the oil so that's not the issue.

And yes I love the engine, I think fixing the gearbox is the way to go too.

Any other suggestions as to possible issues?

[Dennis.G]

First thing, drain the transmission fluid and check it out:

• Low fluid level or no fluid; yikes. A little low should be no problem, but if low enough that clutch plates, gears, or bearings are dry big trouble. Could be clutch plates got dry and kind of welded themselves together in-gear.
• Milky chocolate brown with water seperating out; big trouble - internal parts could all have rust. Likely get a new transmission.
• Opaque with bronze metalic tone (bronze metalic dust in suspension); clutch disks likely toast. May be able to rebuild.
• Silver metalic shavings; yikes - self destruction has been taking place.

Boat transmissions are simple machines. You can always take it apart and then decide if rebuilding is possible. Check prices for a replacement transmission (likely between $1.5k and $2.5k). Parts can be expensive, so if a major rebuild (new gears etc), a new transmission may be best option. If just clutch plates, rebuild will be much cheaper.

I will be taking my transmission out soon and tearing it down (have problem on not being able to shift into reverse at times). Feel for ya.

I have rebuilt manual car transmissions, but not a boat transmission yet, so I am not expert.

[SailorKeddy]

The oil is clear, and no shavings but it was overffilled...could that be the issue?

as far as replacement, its a pretty specific configuration. The rear engine mounts are actually part of the transmission. If I pulled it.to get it rebuilt where could I bring.it? I'm in Newport RI.

[perchance]

Originally Posted by SailorKeddy

Yeah no water in the oil so that's not the issue.

And yes I love the engine, I think fixing the gearbox is the way to go too.

Any other suggestions as to possible issues?

If your transmission has multi plate clutches there is a possibility if you overheat it the clutch plates warp and lock it in forward. It can be caused by a slipping clutch, wrong or no oil. If you can get a good sample give it the smell test.

[Sailmonkey]

Nice boat!!

[Acushla]

Over filling of the gear box can be a cause of heat generation but generally not a gear failure. A bearing failure could be a possibility.

Acushla

[JoeFdz]

The AD2 came fitted both with and without a reduction gear-which do you have?

Mine is direct drive- no reduction gear, and the transmission is lubricated by the motor oil (which must be SAE 30 straight weight oil).

Those with a reduction gear are lubricated independent of the motor oil, and have a second dipstick on the transmission.

I have the shop manual for this motor, and some other materials describing the adjustment and troubleshooting process for the transmission. I'll get these together and see what they say.

I assume you've checked the fluid levels and things are normal?

Don't give up hope- these are solid, simple motors and trannies.

[SailorKeddy]

Awesome thanks! It is a reduction gear model, with the separate dip stick.

Do.you think I can service it without removing it?

[JoeFdz]

The Albinmotor.com site has PDFs of the owner's manual, parts catalog, and workshop manual, all in English, all free.

Page 19 of the owner's manual describes the transmission adjustment. My first try would be the 'adjustment of neutral position' procedure, which conveniently appears to be the simplest.

I've uploaded a pic showing the relevant page of the manual:

Let me know if you have any problem accessing these files, and how things turn out.

[Dennis.G]

As I understand it, if a tranmission is overfilled a significant amount, the oil can froth-up with air with the resulting effect of not providing effective lubrication and cooling to the clutch plates. The end result can be similar to what happens after running with low oil, with the bronze plates glazing up and either sticking to the intermediate steel plates (stuck in gear) or not being able to grip the plates (shifts into gear but does not turn propeller).

[SailorKeddy]

Hey thanks to everyone for replying to this post. The reverse gear has been fixed! It was simply a bolt that had backed itself out! For a write up with pictures, I made a blog post: I HATE SHOES