travelon1979
Cadet
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2010
- Messages
- 15
I have a 2010 Volvo gi-j300 with Sx-a outdrive.
Purchased boat used with 74 hours.
Was running flawlessly until August when I went on max rpm (hit 4800 rpm) run (102 hours) to help determine which prop size I need when converting to a 4-blade.
I noticed immediately after the max rpm run the shift characteristics had changed. I'm getting inconsistent forward shifts and premature reverse shifts. Sometimes when shifting to the first detent it will shift as its supposed to. Sometimes it will delay for seconds and up to 20 seconds or so before smoothly shifting. I can push past the first detent and will sometimes kick it into gear smoothly. Other times it will Rev up a bit before shifting resulting in a clunk. It is inconsistent but more often than not there is a delay. It will also prematurely shift out of gear when throttling back. When shifting into reverse it shifts immediately upon pulling back and has a noticeable clunk. Before the issues started it wouldn't shift into reverse until I reached the first detent before the throttle kicked in.
I've read enough to know it could be: bad or mis-adjusted shift cable, wrong lube or overfilled, water intrusion in lube, bad shifter assembly, cone clutch, or something with the "shift shaft assembly".
My dealer didn't seem very knowledgeable in how to problem shoot this but was convincing that he'd be very shocked a volvo drive with only 100 hours would have a bad cone clutch. Previous owner had all the service documents etc and I had all the fluids changed when I purchased the boat. It does look like the drive was dinged pretty hard at one point.
Could a object strike cause the cone to have issues but not damage the lower gear set?
I had the (volvo certified tech) service center change the shift cable as it was a bit tight/rough when I took ownership. Thought maybe when I mashed the throttle forward something slipped. Went with a teleflex xtreme. The shift movement is much smoother but the shift delays/inconsistencies did not improve.
New cable adjustment: It appears I'm getting full travel when shifting into forward or reverse so its strange that it shifts so quick into reverse. Assuming the dealer knows how to fine tune a shift cable this should not be the problem.
Prop spin test: Manually shifted in to drive and spun the prop to check for play when trying to spin in reverse. Sometimes it locks immediately, sometimes it will take full rotation before the clutch grabs, and sometimes it won't grab at all. When in reverse it has some play but not as much but still seems a bit loose as other posters on iboats said it should grab immediately within a 1/4" of movement. This alone leads me to believe it is an issue with the cone clutch or shift shaft assembly.
Shifter adjustment: dealer inspected but not sure they really knew what to look for in a faulty shift control.
Gear lube looks good and dealer says they use volvo full syn lube. I pulled the plug and it seemed to be a bit over filled so let it drain down a bit till it stopped trickling out the side vent. Checked dip stick and all good. Problem still persists so not related to improper fill level.
I have not changed the lube yet but can only trust the dealer uses the volvo gear lube. They sell it on their shelf.
I'm going to take to another volvo service center to see what they come up with. Beyond what I've listed above does anyone have any ideas on what the problem could be before shelling out a cool $2k to replace the cone clutch. I've read so many posts on different websites about shift delay /clunk symptoms and anytime a cone clutch was the problem the boat had atleast 400+ hours but usually many more. Warranty ended literally 6 months prior to the problem starting. I'd hate to repair the cone only to find its something else. I'd end up divorced
Anyway to problem shoot the shift shaft assembly?
Could a shim worked loose?
Seems convenient it happened right after a high rpm speed run.
I'm ultra sensitive / OCD listening or feeling any changes to the boat so feel if this was a gradual problem I would have noticed. It literally went from running perfect to not after the high speed run.
Any and all input would be greatly appreciated!
Purchased boat used with 74 hours.
Was running flawlessly until August when I went on max rpm (hit 4800 rpm) run (102 hours) to help determine which prop size I need when converting to a 4-blade.
I noticed immediately after the max rpm run the shift characteristics had changed. I'm getting inconsistent forward shifts and premature reverse shifts. Sometimes when shifting to the first detent it will shift as its supposed to. Sometimes it will delay for seconds and up to 20 seconds or so before smoothly shifting. I can push past the first detent and will sometimes kick it into gear smoothly. Other times it will Rev up a bit before shifting resulting in a clunk. It is inconsistent but more often than not there is a delay. It will also prematurely shift out of gear when throttling back. When shifting into reverse it shifts immediately upon pulling back and has a noticeable clunk. Before the issues started it wouldn't shift into reverse until I reached the first detent before the throttle kicked in.
I've read enough to know it could be: bad or mis-adjusted shift cable, wrong lube or overfilled, water intrusion in lube, bad shifter assembly, cone clutch, or something with the "shift shaft assembly".
My dealer didn't seem very knowledgeable in how to problem shoot this but was convincing that he'd be very shocked a volvo drive with only 100 hours would have a bad cone clutch. Previous owner had all the service documents etc and I had all the fluids changed when I purchased the boat. It does look like the drive was dinged pretty hard at one point.
Could a object strike cause the cone to have issues but not damage the lower gear set?
I had the (volvo certified tech) service center change the shift cable as it was a bit tight/rough when I took ownership. Thought maybe when I mashed the throttle forward something slipped. Went with a teleflex xtreme. The shift movement is much smoother but the shift delays/inconsistencies did not improve.
New cable adjustment: It appears I'm getting full travel when shifting into forward or reverse so its strange that it shifts so quick into reverse. Assuming the dealer knows how to fine tune a shift cable this should not be the problem.
Prop spin test: Manually shifted in to drive and spun the prop to check for play when trying to spin in reverse. Sometimes it locks immediately, sometimes it will take full rotation before the clutch grabs, and sometimes it won't grab at all. When in reverse it has some play but not as much but still seems a bit loose as other posters on iboats said it should grab immediately within a 1/4" of movement. This alone leads me to believe it is an issue with the cone clutch or shift shaft assembly.
Shifter adjustment: dealer inspected but not sure they really knew what to look for in a faulty shift control.
Gear lube looks good and dealer says they use volvo full syn lube. I pulled the plug and it seemed to be a bit over filled so let it drain down a bit till it stopped trickling out the side vent. Checked dip stick and all good. Problem still persists so not related to improper fill level.
I have not changed the lube yet but can only trust the dealer uses the volvo gear lube. They sell it on their shelf.
I'm going to take to another volvo service center to see what they come up with. Beyond what I've listed above does anyone have any ideas on what the problem could be before shelling out a cool $2k to replace the cone clutch. I've read so many posts on different websites about shift delay /clunk symptoms and anytime a cone clutch was the problem the boat had atleast 400+ hours but usually many more. Warranty ended literally 6 months prior to the problem starting. I'd hate to repair the cone only to find its something else. I'd end up divorced
Anyway to problem shoot the shift shaft assembly?
Could a shim worked loose?
Seems convenient it happened right after a high rpm speed run.
I'm ultra sensitive / OCD listening or feeling any changes to the boat so feel if this was a gradual problem I would have noticed. It literally went from running perfect to not after the high speed run.
Any and all input would be greatly appreciated!
Last edited: