outdrive ?

[jp6]

I have a volvo penta 280 otdrive that just had seals replaced because apparently the bellow had a small slit in it and allowed water to enter. Gear oil was whitish, so the u-joints and the upper seal were replaced and apparently pressure tested. My question- ran the boat a few times(8-10 hours each time) and checked fluid after each time to find a few ounces of coffee colored fluid coming from drain plug and then it clears up to normal color fluid. Could this just be leftover water/fluid from original problem or is there still water getting in? when should I do a complete fluid change again? THANK YOU

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive ?

There really isn't any way (short of complete dissassembly) to get all the milky oil out of a drive. As long as you are getting just a little each time, you are probably ok. Draining the drive and doing a complete pressure and vacuum check is the way to find out for sure.<br />Then fill the drive, run for a few minutes (even on the trailer is fine) and drain the drive again and change the oil. It's only 30W engine oil and worth the expence to change it a couple of times and get the water out completely.<br />Then be sure you have all new orings and gaskets on the drain, fill, and dipstick fittings. DO NOT use the old ones.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: outdrive ?

If you can leave the vent and drain plug out for a couple days with the drive down between oil changes. For what it is worth my 270 takes gear oil and not 30W engine oil. Not sure about yours though.

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive ?

The spec for the 270 and 280 outdrives is "Same as engine" ..... which is engine oil. Volvo does sell a line of 30W gear lube which is nothing more than 30W engine oil packed in a very expensive container.<br />Look in your Volvo drive service manual.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: outdrive ?

So Sierra type “C” gear lube is just 10W-40. Show me.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: outdrive ?

f_inscreenname,<br /><br />You got me worried, I've been using 'same as engine'. Thats what the manual states. Models 100 & 200 - EP90 gear oil, all others (250, 270, 275, 280, 290, SP & DP - same as engine (10w30 or 10w40). <br /><br />I saw a thread a while ago about someone who was having shifting problems, he was using gearoil instead of engine oil. You having any problems? I'm not familiar with sierra type 'c', maybe the sierra type 'c' is light enough - dunno. Synthetics are also a no no, don't want too much anti-friction, it will effect the operation of the cone clutch.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: outdrive ?

You know I never thought of it till I read it here today. I have alway got the type “c” from US/Boat. They only have two types to choose from. The one for newer drives and the type “c” for older drives. I also looked it up Clymer book and it says like you all say 10w-40. Go figure I have been running the type “c” for years and have no problems. I am going to have to think about this for a while.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: outdrive ?

Ok, Being that I was asked to come here, I will give you what I know and have researched.<br /><br />The type "C" oil is indeed engine oil, but it is of a type that has low doses of friction modifiers for the cluch assy. So, Most regular car oils would be ok, but you notice I said "most". The cluch is not going to like an oil say like an HDDO, (Heavey duty diesel oil), Reason being that there are friction modifiers like Moly in most of them. So, what do you use. A motor cycle or four wheeler oil would be a good choice as they are friction modifier free, also an even better choice would be a Synthetic. I know you said, "no synthetics", but if you use one that has no friction modifiers in it you can have the best of both worlds. Just use one that is designed for wet clutches in ATVs and motor cycles.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: outdrive ?

My mistake, I thought all synthetics had high friction modification. I stand corrected.<br /><br />QUOTE(Ok, Being that I was asked to come here, I will give you what I know and have researched.)<br /><br />We are humbled by your precence oh mighty oil dude. please visit us again soon <br /><br />Aldo

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: outdrive ?

Best synthetic (was a hot topic of debate on a bike forum I used to frequent) for a motorcycle is Mobil One with the red cap. No friction modifiers, full synth. You want to look out for "energy conserving" oils because they are the ones with the most lubrication enhancing additives. Look on the SAE logo and make sure it is not energy conserving. <br /><br />If I'm wrong, correct me please.

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive ?

NOTE:<br />None of the DuoProp drives use engine oil, they use either GL5 or GL5 synthetic depending on model.<br />Here is the chart from a service bulletin Volvo put out a number of years ago.<br />They did change the 10W40 to 30W for drives because it held up better.<br /><br />

 

[LubeDude]

Re: outdrive ?

Originally posted by Dunaruna:<br /> <br />We are humbled by your precence oh mighty oil dude. please visit us again soon <br /><br />Aldo

You guys are toooo Much.

 

[KaGee]

Re: outdrive ?

Just to add to what His Highness Mr. Lube said about "C".<br /><br />Type "C" is for Electric Shift drives. The bottle I have left over from the outboard I got rid of in the Spring shows it to be an 80W. It will not attack the solenoids or wiring that the regular gear oil does. It will not hurt an non-electric gear box as far as I know, but seeing how it is more expensive, I don't know why you would buy it over regular hi-vis gear oil.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: outdrive ?

The “C” I use now has worked fine for a couple years. The next time I change it I will keep this post in mind. Anything so I do not have to use gear oil. If you get that stuff on your hands you can smell it for days. Nasty stuff.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: outdrive ?

Don, thats an interesting bulletin. My manual (clymer) was printed and revised in 1993, it is also C&P onto the 'marinemechanic' website. The specifications are not even close to whats in the bulletin (30 weight gear oil and synthetics not mentioned). <br /><br />Maybe the bulletin you posted should be somehow put into the FAQ. Just a thought.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive ?

Before anything like that happens, let me check into it a bit further. That information that I posted was from a 1990 book, not the bulletin. I just looked at a 93 and it's different. Not by much, just by what things are called.<br />Where the one above says "Marine Gearlube-30W" the 93 manual says "Same as Engine".<br />I sure wish Volvo had some kind of consistancy in their method of doing service bulletins. It's really a hit and miss type thing, and I am certified in Volvo drives and can't keep up with all they do with the oils and gear lubes.