Overheated oil in sterndrive - Volvo D4

wivsi

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Hi, hoping for a bit of advice - just getting our drives serviced on a 10 year old boat with D4-260s, and when the drives have come off on one side the engineers have said the oil is overheated / burnt. They have said this is probably a slipping cone clutch issue and given us two options... change the cone, or change the upper gear unit. Gear unit is outstandingly expensive of course.

I tend to think that changing the upper gear unit would be a bit enthusiastic for some overheated oil. Last recorded oil change was Feb 19 but the boat was on a sales pontoon in fresh water for quite a long period since then - it's done something like 60-70 hours in the intervening time, maybe a bit more.

So - opinions appreciated - am I doing anything daft by opting for the cone change? Anything else I should be asking?

Thanks in advance
Simon
 

BruceK

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The obvious answer is just the cone clutch but determining why the cone clutch went is more relevant to an honest answer. If it was wear and tear and age then job done. If it was due to insufficient oil what else in the upper unit is damaged?
 

QBhoy

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If the cone clutch was slipping, one might think that the user would know about it perhaps. Usually means that the boat doesn’t go into gear instantly, when engaged from the helm. Especially after a run and trying to manoeuvre coming into berth.
Can certainly heat the oil...but just think you’d notice the symptoms of it too.
 

simonfraser

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did you own the boat when the oil was last changed, so you know it was def done Feb 19 ?

have you taken it for longer fast runs to possibly cause this ?
 

wivsi

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The obvious answer is just the cone clutch but determining why the cone clutch went is more relevant to an honest answer. If it was wear and tear and age then job done. If it was due to insufficient oil what else in the upper unit is damaged?

No mention of insufficient oil but that’s worth asking, thanks.
 

wivsi

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did you own the boat when the oil was last changed, so you know it was def done Feb 19 ?

have you taken it for longer fast runs to possibly cause this ?

No we didn’t own it, we have a service receipt from a Volvo specialist though showing change of oil etc. That’s not to say that the oil wasn’t ropey at that time..

We have run it fairly fast at times but not a lot of WOT, one big run for 4-5 hours at decent speed and otherwise local use.
 

wivsi

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If the cone clutch was slipping, one might think that the user would know about it perhaps. Usually means that the boat doesn’t go into gear instantly, when engaged from the helm. Especially after a run and trying to manoeuvre coming into berth.
Can certainly heat the oil...but just think you’d notice the symptoms of it too.
I’ve not noticed slipping clutch. Both drives perform the same as far as I can tell.
 

scottie

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So if on dismantling you find more damage you can sort it or replace
What is cost difference in cone replacement as opposed to exchange top unit ?
 

dpb

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I am going through the same on a Bravo 3 drive at the moment.
I dont think you have enough info to make a decision at the moment as various things could cause over heating.
Mine is at the workshop at the moment having the insides of the top section inspected to see what is needed.
Can make a decision then.
 

volvopaul

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Hi, hoping for a bit of advice - just getting our drives serviced on a 10 year old boat with D4-260s, and when the drives have come off on one side the engineers have said the oil is overheated / burnt. They have said this is probably a slipping cone clutch issue and given us two options... change the cone, or change the upper gear unit. Gear unit is outstandingly expensive of course.

I tend to think that changing the upper gear unit would be a bit enthusiastic for some overheated oil. Last recorded oil change was Feb 19 but the boat was on a sales pontoon in fresh water for quite a long period since then - it's done something like 60-70 hours in the intervening time, maybe a bit more.

So - opinions appreciated - am I doing anything daft by opting for the cone change? Anything else I should be asking?

Thanks in advance
Simon
Come clutch swap is easy fix .
Now I do have a good used upper gear unit if you need one .
pm me if interested
 

wivsi

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I am going through the same on a Bravo 3 drive at the moment.
I dont think you have enough info to make a decision at the moment as various things could cause over heating.
Mine is at the workshop at the moment having the insides of the top section inspected to see what is needed.
Can make a decision then.
Thanks - without knowing how these come apart I guess that while replacing the cone they should be able to see if there are any other issues.
 

wivsi

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Come clutch swap is easy fix .
Now I do have a good used upper gear unit if you need one .
pm me if interested
Cheers Paul. I guess it's all about deciding if I actually need one!

I am kinda working on the basis so far that if the try swapping it, and don't discover any further issues leading to a full replacement during the swap, then it's worth a go - and worst case, at some point I will end up with a non-working drive and having to swap the upper unit. But at least then I've gambled on being ok with the smaller job.
 

volvopaul

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OOoooohhhh. A grand for the cone and about 5 for the whole top. Rather an ouch moment.
Who’s quoting you a grand for a cone , once the drive is off its 2 hours labour to swap it and the cone is about £250 plus vat , I’ve just done 2 last week .
someone is having your pants down
 

wivsi

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Who’s quoting you a grand for a cone , once the drive is off its 2 hours labour to swap it and the cone is about £250 plus vat , I’ve just done 2 last week .
someone is having your pants down
Volspec

I’ll get a proper quote from them and see what’s in it!
 

QBhoy

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My boat had a drive shower on it. Was a bit of a bugger for getting the back seats wet cruising. Not sure I’ve seen one on a VP though. Probably best to fix the problem I’d think first
 
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