2008 338 Four Winns

[Boaterdan278michigan]

We have an accepted offer on a 2008 Four Winns 338 vista. The boat has Volvo DPS-A outdrives. During survey we took oil samples from the drives. Readings showed high levels of iron and small amounts of water in each drive. Just trying to decide how serious this is and a reasonable path forward.

 

[alldodge]

Unless there is something else like there was a lot of filings on the magnet I wouldn't worry about it. Don't know when the lube was last changed and given these are gears meshing together the iron would be higher than on a motor

 

[Lou C]

I did an oil analysis on my Cobra dog clutch drive about 10 years ago out of curiosity and it also tested high on iron but no water. And there was never anything but a tiny bit of fuzz on the magnet of the drain plug.
I don't think the high iron is as much of an issue as it would be in an engine oil analysis as all dodge above said as long as you don't see a lot of filings/chunks on the magnet; but water suggests that the drives should get a pressure/vacuum test. Could be as simple as a bad gasket on a drain/fill plug or propshaft seal (common).
I recently had to replace the seal on the water pump driveshaft on my Cobra because of gradual water intrusion. That's the only seal I have had to replace on it in about 20 years!

 

[Horigan]

Ask for a pressure test and vacuum test of the drives. One of the seals may be close to failing.