VOlvo SX Shift Problem

[Salt_Life]

Afternoon iboat family,

I own a 1995 Stingray with a Volvo 3.0 / SX outdrive. Today when I put it in the water, I started it and allowed it to warm up. When I put the shift selector into reverse I heard an unusual pop sound and the motor died. When I attempted to put the shift selector back in neutral it is locked up. I pulled the cover off the outdrive to reveal the "shift mechanism." The cable is not broke and the prop will not turn either direction. I used a small plastic mallet to attempt to get the unit back to neutral to no avail. The only manual I could find online is an older one from the UK. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: VOlvo SX Shift Problem

You can head over to boatinfo, manuals, into the Volvo Penta section, then scroll to find your free OEM sterndrive manual. Then are different SX models so you made need your full model number of your engine to distinguish between them.

The prop should always be free to rotate in atleast one direction. In reverse, it is still free to turn opposite the direction the engine will be turning it. Also make sure you disconnect the cable so you know it is not binding anything. You may have some more serious gear trouble going on.

 

[Augoose]

Re: VOlvo SX Shift Problem

If you disconnect the shift linkage from the cable, does the linkage then move freely, putting the outdrive in reverse and forward?

 

[Salt_Life]

Re: VOlvo SX Shift Problem

The cable moves freely, so I pulled off the cover to expose the gears....bone dry. NO gear oil or even grease for that matter. Lots of metal shavings. Not sure if this is to tuff to tackle or should I head to the shop???

 

[Augoose]

Re: VOlvo SX Shift Problem

The cable moves freely, so I pulled off the cover to expose the gears....bone dry. NO gear oil or even grease for that matter. Lots of metal shavings. Not sure if this is to tuff to tackle or should I head to the shop???

Which cover did you remove? The 4"x4" cover where the shift actuator is or the top bearing cover at the top of the drive? When you pull the drain screw at the bottom of the drive is it truly bone dry?

 

[Salt_Life]

Re: VOlvo SX Shift Problem

Yeah the 4 x 4 cover. I did not remove the drain plug. None of the gear teeth are broken or in rough shape. Their was just a lot of small metal shavings. I also discovered the plastic ball bearing retainer on the top most bearing was broken. I guess at his point my main concern is how many bearingings need to be replaced and how many of them are pressed on??:blue:

 

[Augoose]

Re: VOlvo SX Shift Problem

Well your issues certainly exceed my knowledge, however if it were me, and I'm not saying this is the correct method, I'd probably decide whether I wanted to fork up the money to take it to someone or try to service it myself. If you were to do it yourself, I'd start by downloading the service manual for your outdrive and reading the teardown section for the upper and lower gear case sections to get familiar with all the components and how they work. Next I'd figure out which components, like the retainer you mentioned, were damaged and which needed to get replaced. Then I would try to determine what happened to the old gear oil - find the leak, was it serviced by someone who just never filled it back up, etc. Lastly, I'd probably separate the upper from the lower and try to get all the shavings out and inspect for further damage. Once the shavings are out, re-assemble and then run a couple of quarts of cheap motor oil through the system to flush any other residue out. Once that's done I'd take it to someone to have it pressure tested and if it passes, fill it back up with gear oil and check it for operation.

Again, likely the proper thing to do is to take it to someone but if you want to tackle it yourself, I think the above is a good place to start.

 

[Salt_Life]

Re: VOlvo SX Shift Problem

Thanks Augoose!

 

[Augoose]

Re: VOlvo SX Shift Problem

Good luck