Water in flyheel housing 5.8 DP-D Volvo Penta

[chas2]

1995 Cobalt 220 with 1995 Volvo Penta 5.8 FL DP-D w/ freshwater cooling

Over the July 4th weekend noticed rusty water coming out bilge when the transom drain plug was removed after a short boat ride. F.W flushed engine when I got home and found water coming out starter motor. Shut down engine and removed plastic Perko FW flusher - suspecting it had sprung a leak. Attached garden hose directly to onboard RW pump inlet hose and restarted engine. Water came runnign out of starter brush rigging end plate and bendix yoke solenoid housing. Removed the starter motor and found the flywheel bell housing half full of rusty water.

What would be the typical cause for the water leak into the flywheel housing of my DP-D Volvo sterndrive. I'm gussing that the drive shaft bellows has developed a leak and the resulting salt water has chewed up the inboard
drive shaft seal and most like messed up the universal bearings.

What would be the proper way to fix this problem. Does the engine need to be removed to get at the inner drive shaft seals - as well as the upper out drive housing to pull the drive shaft & bellows boot? Should the engine be removed as good practice for flwheel coupling inspection?

 

[Don S]

Re: Water in flyheel housing 5.8 DP-D Volvo Penta

Yes, you have to pull the upper gear box off the drive to replace the bellows and ujoints, and probably the input shaft seal and sealing washer in the upper gear box. The ring gets rusty and damages the seal, you also have water in the outdrive.
Yes, you have to pull the engine to replace the bearings and seals in the flywheel cover. No, you don't have to pull the engine to inspect the coupler. It's also not a coupler like the SX, or Mercruiser, or OMC had, it's a flex plate. When they don't get water on them and get all rusted they don't fail very often.
The bellows should be replaced every other year or so. Simple job really, pull the upper gear box, new bellows, few new seals and done. Usually in an hour or less.

 

[chas2]

Re: Water in flyheel housing 5.8 DP-D Volvo Penta

Don,

Thanks for the info. Bought the boat 2nd hand in 2004 and have not replace the bellows. My ignorance and costly mistake. Don't think I'll have too much problem relacing the bellows in the future - but pulling the engine is beyond my capabilities.

Charlie

 

[Don S]

Re: Water in flyheel housing 5.8 DP-D Volvo Penta

Well, it has to be done. The Fords haven't been used since 96, and the chances of a bearing locking up and spinning in the housing (destroying the housing) is an almost sure thing. The replacement parts may be NLA> No Longer Available.

 

[chas2]

Re: Water in flyheel housing 5.8 DP-D Volvo Penta

Don,

Understood -the engine will have to come out. I will have a qualified VP shop do all the work, including pulling the engine. In the future, as you suggest, I will pull the upper outdrive housing and replace the bellows every year or so.

Thanks,
Charlie