Volvo Penta Maintenance

[Cliffman]

Did a search but nothing came up under the subject mater. Reading through the maintenance section of my Volvo Penta owners manual is seems that some of the below maintenance items are a bit extreme. Sometimes I wonder if some of this stuff is to just sell parts. What are your thoughts?

In my Volvo Penta owner's manual it states...

1) Change the oil in the drive unit every season. Is that over kill or is it really necessary. We take our boat out maybe 4-5 times per year to lakes only. I use maybe 1/4-1/2 tank of fuel each outing.

2) Replace Drive Unit Bellows and clamps very second year. This also seems a bit extreme.

3) Fuel Filter Engine and Carburetor every season: This also seems a bit extreme.

Spark Plugs: Replace every season: Now I know this is not necessary!

Impeller, Water Pump: I know the impeller is important and I do keep one on board at all times but EVERY SEASON??? Come on now...

Thanks for all of your suggestions in advance

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

1) I would still change drive oil every season.
2) Every 4 years is probably fine for the bellows. Store your drive in the down position.
3) I would change these filters every year.
4) the impeller will last 2 to 3 years.

 

[Cliffman]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

Well, I bought the boat used and it's a 2001 so I guess it's time to change out the Bellows. Now all I need is some step by step instructions on how to do that. I'm pretty good with my hands and do all my own maintenance on my vehicles.

I don't understand why it's necessary to change the drive unit oil every season. It’s not like the engine oil where it's exposed to other contaminates. It's a closed unit much like the rear differential in my truck.

 

[Cliffman]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

Also, what about the engine and drive unit oil. I hate to use the OEM oil mainly because you can't buy it at your local auto parts store not to mention the additional cost.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

I don't understand why it's necessary to change the drive unit oil every season. It’s not like the engine oil where it's exposed to other contaminates. It's a closed unit much like the rear differential in my truck.

Also, what about the engine and drive unit oil. I hate to use the OEM oil mainly because you can't buy it at your local auto parts store not to mention the additional cost.

Ayuh,........
And your Trucks Rear Diff Isn't Running,+ Living UnderWater All the Time Either.........
The Reason for changing out the Oil annually is to Inspect for Water Intrusion,..........
What's Cheaper,+ Easier,..??..??....
A couple Qt.s of Oil, or a Trashed Drive Unit,..??..??.......

Same with the Engine Oil,........
Which would you rather Do,..??....
Changer the Oil,+ Filters,...... Or Change the Engine,..??..??.....

As for Which Oil to use,.....
That's an Extremely Debatable Subject around here,........

I run Mobil 1, 15W-50 in My Engine,+ 75W-90 Syn. Oil in My drive.........

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

If I were in your position, I wouldn't do anything.
After reading your other post and your not wanting to spend the time to drain the cooling system cause it takes a lot of time and now this.
Just Run it till it pukes. Everyone knows engines and drives don't cost enough to replace to be worth the time and effort to maintain it. I know bondo doesn't know what weight gear lube your SX or DP-S drive takes, so find some good 75W-90 and go for it. It's cheap.

 

[Cliffman]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

Don S, DUDE!!! What's with the attitude???? Holy crap man, ease up! I'm a newbie to boating and just looking for some answers. I'm anything but lazy just ask my neighbors. I'm always working on something out in the garage. I own 2 Dodge Ram Cummins trucks and one of which I've rebuilt the engine. (450 hp to the rear wheels) I also own a 2002 Corvette and a 37" 5th wheel trailer all of which I perform the maintenance on. Automotive is all I have to relate boat maintenance too and I'm here to tell ya that everything that the dealer/owners manual says to do is not always accurate and much of the time overkill just the generate income. So I’m a little cautious when it comes to following the owners manual to the letter. Good grief dude who the heck pissed in your porridge?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

Due to the nature of this post,+ the other 1 mentioned by Don,............

I figured He went Pretty Lightly Off on you,.......

Like I said in the other post,......

Gas,+ Twist the Key is All you Have to do........

The Tone of your posts,.......
In No Way would lead Anybody to even Think that you are a Wrench Turning Mechanic,........
Until this last post,......

You Sounded like a Do Nothing,..... Get In It,+ GO kinda Guy...................

If you need an Apology,..... I'm Sorry......

 

[Cliffman]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

Bond-o,

Thanks for your reply or should I say, sane reply... I do understand your point regarding the drive unit operating under water. However, please keep in mind that my boat spends 99% of it's time in my driveway and not in the water. Isn’t there a way to check for water in the drive unit without changing the oil just to be sure? Thought I read that somewhere???

 

[Bondo]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

Sure,......

Let it Sit a Week or 2,+ Pull the Drain Plug,.......
The Water SHOULD have Seperated by then,+ It would come out 1st.........

Maybe,........

Hopefully,..........

How SURE do you Want to Be,..??..??.....

Oil is Cheap Insurance,...........Ain't It,..??....

It's More about "Preventive Maintanance",........

Ya Know,.......
Takin' your Toys Apart,+ Greaseing everything Up,.......
So it'll come apart the Next Time you want it Too.......

 

[Cliffman]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

If you need an Apology,..... I'm Sorry......
[/quote]


Don't need an apology just curious as to why both you guys seem a bit testy? Is this subject played? Or are you guys having a bad day? I performed a search prior to starting this thread because I know how mind-numbing it can be answering the same ole questions over and over again but I didn't find anything directly related to performing maintenance on a Volvo Penta 5.0Gi. Therefore I thought this tread would be very informative for other's who are looking for answers to specific questions relating to the Volvo Penta 5.0Gi maintenance. Just because the owners manual says to do the work doesn’t mean it's true! They have there own agenda.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

Change your engine oil and use Mobil 1 15W 50.
Change your gear lube and use Mobil 1 75W-90.

You can find both od these at auto parts stores.

Buy a factory Volvo service manual before you start doing any work. Do not buy a Clymer or a Seloc...only buy the factory manual.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

Bruce,........
The comment from Don above is in reference to Volvos using 30W Oil in their drives........

That's why I stated what I use in My drive........Not particularly Volvo drives......

 

[Cliffman]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

Change your engine oil and use Mobil 1 15W 50.
Change your gear lube and use Mobil 1 75W-90.

Buy a factory Volvo service manual before you start doing any work. Do not buy a Clymer or a Seloc...only buy the factory manual.

Regarding the oil, synthetic or dyno? Pretty sure that all Mobil 1 is synthetic isn’t it?

Regarding the manual, already bought a Seloc. What a POS that thing is! Guess I’ll be looking for a factory manual…

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

Cliffman, I spent £70 on three volvo manuals and it was the best money I spent. They could have been written for me i.e Lots of Pictures, step by step fault finding etc.

They dont answer everything but the forum answers the rest.

Regards Maintenance. I dont replace my bellows / spark plugs or impellor each year. I do remove them and store inside in the dark and check carefully before the start of the season. I always change the oils and filters each year and check the belts plus carry spares.

Checked the exhaust manifolds and risers after 3 years and replacing after 6 years salt water.

I guess if you follow the manufactures schedule nothing will fail on you if you choose to extend the use you (and I ) run the risk of a failure costing much more than the item we should have replaced.

Regards

Chris

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

Bruce,........
The comment from Don above is in reference to Volvos using 30W Oil in their drives........

That's why I stated what I use in My drive........Not particularly Volvo drives......

Bondo,

I know you use exactly what I do regarding Mobil 1. I was just making it more clear for the original poster.

Regarding the oil, synthetic or dyno?

The Mobil 1 Gear oils is a GL-5 synthetic which is what Volvo calls out for in their manual

 

[Cliffman]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

Thanks Bruce!

 

[Kwas]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

I don't know weight gear lube other VP drives use but my SX drive specifies 75/90

 

[mkast]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

Don S, DUDE!!! What's with the attitude????

The attitude I perceive is: "Just another Owner/Operator looking for someone/anyone to confirm lack of maintenance is okay, then when it pukes, It's not my fault, XXX said it was okay!"
The attitude of "Run it til it breaks" is common among the uninformed.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Volvo Penta Maintenance

On boats , its do it BEFORE it needs it, and its a lot less expensive, and a lot easier. One simple corroded bolt will change your ways down the line............