Please Advise on Stern Drive Maintenance ?

[fieryfood_dude]

First, I the searched postings looking for maintenance routines for I/O outdrives. I didn't find how often the gimbal bearing, splines, u-joints, ect. should be checked & lubricated. Could someone advise me on maintenance schedule of outdrive parts(how often & which parts)? I have a 2000 4.3 volvo penta sx in a 17 ft. fourwinns horizon with no salt water use. Also, what is the typical life span for these parts? I have a clymer manual but it doesn't say how often. This summer will be my boats 3rd season of use, & I'm not looking forward to pulling the outdrive if it isn't absolutely necessary($$$$). I would really appreciate some help. This is my first boat so even after 2 years I'm still learning new stuff.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Please Advise on Stern Drive Maintenance ?

Grease,+ Lube change At Least Once a Year....<br />Check the waterpump Impeller annually....<br />Replace the Impeller Bi-annually...<br />The Hard Parts Could last forever, With Proper Maintaince....<br />These Parts Run at Engine RPMs... You're already Way Over Due....

 

[hoot]

Re: Please Advise on Stern Drive Maintenance ?

i don't follow the best maintence plan, but i do change motor oil each year, grease the easy to get to fittings each year, change outdrive oil every 2 years, watch the temperature gauge for impeller health and changed only when temp ran hot. ran 24 years before bellows cracked, ujoints and gimbal brg looked good except brg had water in it from split bellows (they never fail in the driveway!!). use marine grease and a good lower unit oil.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Please Advise on Stern Drive Maintenance ?

Oil is life blood of your engine and drive. How long would you run the oil in your car driving around in second gear turning 3000 to 4000 rpm?<br /><br />We run our boat hard, so I change engine oil and drive oil every 40 hoursof use. I hit all the grease zerts every other time before we launch the boat.<br /><br />I ran my old 1976 Mercruiser I drive 814 hours with no major lower unit part failure. In that time, I replaced only two impellers, two sets of bellows and two sets of seals. Also replaced tilt rams and hydraulic lines.<br /><br />I only hope the Alpha drive on my current rig is as well built.

 

[fieryfood_dude]

Re: Please Advise on Stern Drive Maintenance ?

I can only find 1 grease fitting on the starboard side of the very upper part of the outdrive where its bolts to the transom. Does anyone know where any other fittings might be hiding? Sorry to be such a noob, but I would greatly appreciate help from anyone who is knowledgable of outdrives(especially volvo penta)<br /><br />hope everyone has a great summer!!

 

[ya mon]

Re: Please Advise on Stern Drive Maintenance ?

the volvo sx drive is what you should have on that boat if i know my boats and if you check with volvo the u-joints on that boat arn't greasable .there should be grease zerks on the outdrive and inside on the top of the housing for lubrication purposes.pivot points and gimball,.once a season is all you should require. change you outdive lube every fall but check with your dealer because volvo likes to use a synthetic in thier drives.thats why they are such good outdrives. if a dealer isnt close to you try volvopenta.com or 4winns.com for an owners manual good luck ya mon

 

[refields]

Re: Please Advise on Stern Drive Maintenance ?

So there is only two grease points on a SX drive?You can reach them both without removing anything? What grease should be used, where?<br /><br />richard

 

[CARMINE326]

Re: Please Advise on Stern Drive Maintenance ?

Use gl-5 rated synthetic gear oil should be 75w-90 that is what volvopenta recommends make sure you fill from the bottom of the unit with a pump to get all the air out so you do not have a inaccurate reading on the dip stick. MAKE SURE YOU CHANGE THE OIL FILL SCREWS!!!! Do not reuse them or you will have a definte water intrusion. Some u-joints will have grease fittings. You can only grease them with the lower unit off, make sure you inspect everything when you take it off. Gimble bearing!!!

 

[refields]

Re: Please Advise on Stern Drive Maintenance ?

What kind of grease should I use on the gimbal bearing?<br /><br />richard

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Please Advise on Stern Drive Maintenance ?

I use an automotive bearing grease that says its good for marine use as well.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Please Advise on Stern Drive Maintenance ?

hello<br /> dude<br /> the best advice I can give any SX owner is not to use the boat again until they check with a dealer about updating the propshaft seals. the originals had a design and a installation tool problem and failed a lot. there is a tech bulliten out about it.<br /> I do 10-15 a year. some were repeat failures.<br /> then buy the owners manual and follow it.<br /> if your pump is crank shaft mounted then the crank pully is part of the pump. there were some seal leakage problems. I dont even dissasemble them anymore if it leaks replace it. change the impeller yearly. change the manifolds and risers every 3-5 if your in salt but mostly follow the manual<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[refields]

Re: Please Advise on Stern Drive Maintenance ?

Do the screws have to be replaced when changing the outdrive oil? Or the seals?<br /><br />Mine is a 1998 model-is it affected by the bad propshaft seals?<br /><br />richard

 

[PDACPA]

Re: Please Advise on Stern Drive Maintenance ?

Sorry to revive and old thread, but it was on point. Can someone post a picture or show me where on the SX outdrive is the location for greasing the gimball? I have a the 4.3 GL (C) with the SX-M on a 03 Four Winns.

I hear some louder rough noise when turning left and right but nothing anyother time. Was thinking the gimball needed grease (or maybe replacing). Was going to try greasing and see if that made the sound go away and if not then replace the gimball and bellow.

Thanks

P.S. Since it does not get water in the gimball, must I use marine grease or is any automotive grease ok?