Drive "kick up" protection question

[BeaufortTJustice]

Hopefully this is purely a theoretical or hypothetical discussion, and I never have need for this info, but I am curious nonetheless...

I am under the impression that my drive, VP SX-A, has a protection feature that allows it to "kick up" if/when it strikes something with sufficient force. That being said...when it happens, is it something that resets itself (provided there is no damage)by dropping back down? Or do you have to take some special step(s) to put drive back down? Does it damage the trim/tilt system when it kicks up?

Just curious in case this was to happen to me out on the water so I can know what to do (immediate tow, limp back to ramp, or inspect and keep going).

Thank you for the assistance.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Drive "kick up" protection question

Ayuh,... In my experince, even though it's with Mercs, Volvos are similar...
If there's a realestate Strike sufficient enough to kick the outdrive up,...
The lower unit is So Trashed, you probably ain't goin' Nowhere....

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: Drive "kick up" protection question

Ayuh,... In my experince, even though it's with Mercs, Volvos are similar...
If there's a realestate Strike sufficient enough to kick the outdrive up,...
The lower unit is So Trashed, you probably ain't goin' Nowhere....

So it's more of a "warm and fuzzy" feature that makes people feel good, but doesn't really do much good in reality (except maybe save your transom?).

Good to know...Thank you, Bond-o.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Drive "kick up" protection question

it's in the trim cylinders themselves. there is a by-pass valve that opens that opens to allow oil to flow from 1 side of the piston to the other if there is sufficient enough pressure put on the drive. After a strike the pistons will reset themselves.

This is only in theory though. As if you hit something that hard your lucky if the drive doesn't get ripped off the back of the boat.

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive "kick up" protection question

it's in the trim cylinders themselves.

Careful there Jason, he has a Volvo SX-A, not a Mercruiser.
Nothing in the Volvo cylinders.
There are relief valves in the trim pump, but they don't work for impact either.
You hit something, you break something.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Drive "kick up" protection question

he has a Volvo SX-A, not a Mercruiser.

Ahhh... you are correct sir. If anybody else reads this thread I was refering to the Merc system.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Drive "kick up" protection question

So the latch paw isnt for letting the outdrives kick up when you hit something? Whats the purpose of those stupid things then?

Currently our outdrives like to fly up when using R and giving it some gas so were having them pinned down. Right now they have 3/8in rope holding them down till we have the boat pulled this spring to pin them down. Tilt hasnt worked for who knows how many years so the trim cylinders will be removed.

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive "kick up" protection question

You don't even have the same kind of drive Jeepster, he has an SX-A, you have a 290. Both Volvo, but that is the only similarity.
Here's what his looks like, except with the DP (DuoProp) lower instead of a single prop.