Volvo MD17C Transmission problems

[DeanMac]

I have !983 Volvo MD17C engine and tranny with less than 600 hours. The tranny is acting up. Sometimes sticks in Forward, sometimes in Reverse, really scary when docking.

I think the problem is with the Shifter Cone.

I'm going to open the top where the shifter is tomorrow and have a look.

My question to the group is does anyone have a new Cone they would part with or a professionally certified rebuilt tranny (I know it's really just a reverse gear but tranny is easier to understand)? Or just some advice on next steps.
Thanks,
Dean

[Bill Seal]

Welcome to Sound Marine Diesel

But be prepared to take out a second mortgage on your kids/grandkids

Who else but Volvo can charge a hundred bucks for a ten dollar shaft seal.

[DeanMac]

If it's a $100US that's $134 Cdn, but I'll pay it if that's all it is. Unfortunately I have a feeling my shift cone is screwed and that's 650 Euros alone!

[boden36]

The female cones are lined with a material like brake lining. This wears and causes problems.
Also the circlip on the end of the helical shaft can jump off leaving you with no drive.
Basically a hopeless gearbox. After a number of rebuilds I sold the engine and repowered with Yanmar.

[Bill Seal]

If my Green Monster weren't stuffed back where it'll take destroying the galley to get it out, I'd do the same.
Damn!
In the meantime, I'll jut keep doing "sailboat yoga".

http://www.boatinfo.no/lib/volvo/manuals/ms-msb.htm

[bustermaw]

Originally Posted by DeanMac

I have !983 Volvo MD17C engine and tranny with less than 600 hours. The tranny is acting up. Sometimes sticks in Forward, sometimes in Reverse, really scary when docking.

I think the problem is with the Shifter Cone.

I'm going to open the top where the shifter is tomorrow and have a look.

My question to the group is does anyone have a new Cone they would part with or a professionally certified rebuilt tranny (I know it's really just a reverse gear but tranny is easier to understand)? Or just some advice on next steps.
Thanks,
Dean

Hi Dean
I just had the same kind of problem but it was my morse cables.
Just a thought

[peterbeale]

We had the same problem and took the gear box apart and found a company in San Pedro- Long Beach California that fixed breaking material into the units. Then we had to careful put them on a lathe to get them to the correct thickness. We also replaced some of the bearings at the same time.

The biggest problem was having to lift the engine forward to get the gear box out as there was only a couple of inches of movement on the prop shaft. The companion way is not over the engine so had to build a lifting rig.

Found the engine mounts were falling apart and replaced them.

Also had the fuel pump failed and replaced that.

Recently had problems with head gaskets which we are replacing and at same time we are having the fuel injectors serviced.

It is a 1977 engine so I cannot complain. The basic engine is solid so I hope that it will now work for a while.

[popeyepcb1]

Originally Posted by bustermaw

Hi Dean
I just had the same kind of problem but it was my morse cables.
Just a thought

what did u do to cables? mine goes from forward to reverse no nuetral