Volvo 280 outdrive seals 1982

[John A]

Hello,
I have a 1982 Volvo Penta 280 outdrive behind a V6. Don't know much about the boat. I haven't taken it out on the water yet. Engine runs well. Bellows were torn. Previous owner bought boat used. Ran it a few times. Let it sit a year or two. Took it out again to check for leaks. Saw water coming in the stern and let it sit at my lot for a while. He sold it to me cheap and had to move out of state. I cant get ahold of him. My dad and I replaced the bellows and hoses. Found that there was nearly no gear oil in the outdrive. When we put the earmuffs on and ran the motor water appeared in the oil. It looks like outdrive was removed at some point and everything is in good condition. Am I looking at a full reseal? What should that cost? I have not done any outdrive work before, but am competant at home garage mechanics. Should I attempt the repair myself? Also, the cone on the end of the prop shaft appears to wobble. Prop is not dammaged, shaft is tight, just a visual wobble. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I would love to get my family on the water this summer, but don't want any engine or drive worries.
Thank you for your help.
John

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Volvo 280 outdrive seals 1982

You need to carefully inspect the propshaft. If it's got a visible "wobble" you have probably found your leak, and definately need to replace your propshaft.
And yes, you want to completely reseal the drive. It sounds like the boat was operated with little oil in it. The drive gets really hot when that happens. seals distort. Bearings burn, and gears get damaged. Your drive needs a thorough going through.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo 280 outdrive seals 1982

Found that there was nearly no gear oil in the outdrive. When we put the earmuffs on and ran the motor water appeared in the oil.

You mean you found it low on oil, and STILL started it and ran it????????

When we put the earmuffs on and ran the motor water appeared in the oil.

Engine or Drive???

It looks like outdrive was removed at some point and everything is in good condition.

Hold on here, the drive was removed, you stuck it back on with no oil and ran it and water got in an you think everything is in good condition? Why would you think that. From the rest of your post, there isn't anything worth salvaging.

Am I looking at a full reseal? What should that cost?

Being a a Volvo certified tech, I don't know of any seal that will fill your drive with water in a short time while running on muffs.

COST: The most expensive boat you can own, is a free one. It's free for a reason, this also works on Cheep boats. The cheaper you buy them, the more that is wrong with them. Most cheap boats should have been free boats.

Bellows were torn. Previous owner bought boat used. Ran it a few times. Let it sit a year or two. Took it out again to check for leaks. Saw water coming in the stern and let it sit at my lot for a while. He sold it to me cheap and had to move out of state.

with torn bellows, and water getting into the boat, the intermediate bearings in the engine bellhousing now need replaced. That's an engine pull.
You have a LOT of work ahead of you.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Volvo 280 outdrive seals 1982

You mean you found it low on oil, and STILL started it and ran it????????


Engine or Drive???



Hold on here, the drive was removed, you stuck it back on with no oil and ran it and water got in an you think everything is in good condition? Why would you think that. From the rest of your post, there isn't anything worth salvaging.



Being a a Volvo certified tech, I don't know of any seal that will fill your drive with water in a short time while running on muffs.

COST: The most expensive boat you can own, is a free one. It's free for a reason, this also works on Cheep boats. The cheaper you buy them, the more that is wrong with them. Most cheap boats should have been free boats.


with torn bellows, and water getting into the boat, the intermediate bearings in the engine bellhousing now need replaced. That's an engine pull.
You have a LOT of work ahead of you.

TOUCHE'

 

[John A]

Re: Volvo 280 outdrive seals 1982

Thanks for the responses from all. I have a little more information, but I think it points to the same outcome. My father was working on the boat while he is out from back east (I am in California) while I was at work. He is very experienced with boats but generally shys away from engine or drive work. There was original oil in the outdrive, but it was milky and not full. We ran the motor in the driveway with the ear muffs for just a few minutes. The prop shaft is straight, but the threaded portion that the cone threads onto is bent. Likely was damaged by backing into something on land. So, from what I gather, the intermediate shaft seals and possibly bearings need replacing which will mean the moto must be pulled. Can I do this without pulling the motor and just slide the motor forward in the boat? From your suggestions, it sounds like the outdrive needs a reseal/rebuild. Given that I just had to pay taxes unexpectedly, we will probably not get on the water this year. Bummer! Any rough guesses on what it will cost to have a shop do this work? I am tempted to fill the outdrive with fresh oil and take it out on the water for a shakedown run to see if any other issues arise. That might give me an indication if it is worth fixing the outdrive or cutting my losses now. Its a good sound boat that needs cosmetic "enhancements".
Thank you again for all of your time, advice and opinions.
John