Volvo saildrives: learned something new

[tamicatana]

All the research I've done online suggests that the only reason for milky oil/water incursion into sail drives would be the prop shaft seals.

Guess what, it ain't.

There is a gasket between the lower and upper unit flanges (at the boot) that is a possible culprit. For my part, had I known about that, I'd have replaced that when I did the shaft seals.

Live and learn.

[tamicatana]

More on the subject:


> The Volvo is fairly simple, actually.
>
> There are 10 bolts in the lower unit: eight around the leg itself (safety
wired), and two more further outboard on either side of the flange.
>
> Remove the eight leg bolts, and loosen the two outboard ones. These two will
keep the leg from falling altogether as you loosen the lower leg away from the
upper one. Get hold of the leg and wiggle it loose, and then undo these two
bolts and drop the lower leg.
>
> I didn't get to see the entire upper unit removal, but what I did get is that
the Volvo has a three-point engine mount. You can loosen the aftermost one (at
the outdrive) and the two forward ones will allow the engine to pivot forward
enough that you can put a piece of 2x4 wood under it to lift the engine a bit.
Then the upper outdrive unit unbolts from the boat, and out it comes, boot and all

[tamicatana]

Pictures here of the results, if link works
pics of the saildrive bits

[SVNeko]

Thanks. Good to know.

[colemj]

The link you have does not allow access.

Mark

[tamicatana]

well, merde. hang on, I'll move the pix to a more public site

See if this works. The pics should be labeled accordingly

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...lbums3152.html

[SVNeko]

nope, that doesn't work either

[tamicatana]

damnit, I don't know how in Hell to post the damned things. sorry

one....last...time....




OK, that seemed to work. Here's a link to the flickr set. should find this and three other fotos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamishe...7636034502323/

[Boatguy30]

So was it that upper seal? Seems doubtful to me, more likely wear in the shaft buggering the new seals.

[tamicatana]

Yes, it was that seal.

Note the corrosion on the perimeter, where the orange gasket sealant had failed. The corrosion effectively pries up the green gasket material, allowing water incursion into the SD oil.

The saildrives have not leaked thus far, and the new shaft seals were not re-replaced. The flange area must have been the culprit.

[Boatguy30]

Good to know, that picture was hard or sort out. Long time since I last worked on a sail drive, but did a yamaha gearbox last week.

[brianc]

Originally Posted by tamicatana

Yes, it was that seal.

Note the corrosion on the perimeter, where the orange gasket sealant had failed. The corrosion effectively pries up the green gasket material, allowing water incursion into the SD oil.

The saildrives have not leaked thus far, and the new shaft seals were not re-replaced. The flange area must have been the culprit.

Any update on this? Did you have any further issues or did replacing the boot fix the problem permanently (until it occurs the next time...)?

I'm having the same issue now...jaybird1111 posted this thread in response to my question. Shaft seals replaced a year ago and just found more water in the oil.

Saildrive - water in oil - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

Was anything visible to you from the interior? I'm wondering if I could tell if there was deterioration in the gasket sealant from the inside (doubt it but might as well ask.)

Thanks! Brian