Water in outdrive oil, SX-A

[BRICH1260]

Pulled the drain plug yesterday on my SX-A outdrive yesterday as a part of my winterization process. Much to my dismay the oil came out, looking like a milkshake in color. The boat has been in the water all summer. Obviously water intruded sometime during that time. Now what? I have pulled the outdrive and plan to work on it over the winter. I assume I need to isolate the bad seal by pressure or vacuum testing.

Anybody had similar experience with this and can tell me how difficult a job it is, what seals are prone to going bad and where can I locate a pressure tester?

 

[bruceb58]

I have one of these:

http://www.offshoremarineparts.com/1...Q0gaAj2b8P8HAQ

If you do a search on iboats, there are a lot of home made ones.

Here are some:

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...drives/239516-drive-pressure-check-prior-post

 

[bruceb58]

I actually have a vacuum version of the one I posted too.

If you make your own, make sure you buy a gauge that does both pressure and vacuum and max pressure of the gauge around 15 PSI. Makes no sense to use a 60 PSI gauge when you are putting in 15 PSI. Makes it difficult if not impossible to see a pressure drop occur.

 

[Scott Danforth]

mightyvac MV8500. http://www.mityvac.com/pages/products_hvpk.asp

I think Amazon has them for about $60 for just the pump and $90 for the complete kit. then get an atwood gear oil pump and adapter and you can pressure test, vacuum test and fill gear boxes all day long.

 

[BRICH1260]

I purchased the Stevens pressure tester suggested above and tested my unit. It held 15psi for a 24 hour period. I'm perplexed. Next I will vacuume test it to see if anything out of place shows and go from there. Any suggestions?

 

[bruceb58]

You drained gear oil first right? Make sure you rotate the prop shaft and shift lever during the test.

Also, you always change all the o rings on the plugs right?

 

[BRICH1260]

You drained gear oil first right? Make sure you rotate the prop shaft and shift lever during the test.

Also, you always change all the o rings on the plugs right?

Yes, I let the oil drain for a couple days then reinstalled all plugs except at the testing port. I rotated the input and propeller shaft several times during the 24 hr "watch" period. Yes, I installed three new O rings last year on the screws. I will report back once the vacuum test is completed.

 

[bruceb58]

Also need to rotate the shift lever. That is a common entry point as well.

Any water in the u-joint bellows?

 

[BRICH1260]

Also need to rotate the shift lever. That is a common entry point as well.

Any water in the u-joint bellows?

Did that too. No water in the bellows. I have ordered a vacuum pump and hope to test it that way this weekend.At this point still scratching my head.

 

[BRICH1260]

Vacuum test completed. Very slow leak noted, most notable when prop shaft rotated, still very slow, but none the less a leak. Squirted motor oil onto the prop seal area and re vacuumed. Pressure held for hours. I guess I`ll need a new prop seal before spring. Anybody know if replacing this prop seal can be replaced easily by a DIY`er without the need for special "Volvo tools"?

 

[bruceb58]

Read this thread which will make your decision for you:
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...ow-to-replace-propshaft-seal-vovo-sx-drive-94

 

[BRICH1260]

Looks like it might be best to take it to a VP mechanic.