smb
Member
I suspect that the oil cooler on my gearbox has failed. Symptoms include:-
An unexplained wetness around and under the box,
Fresh oil quickly becoming thin and dirty
An upsurge of creamy oil on removing the filler cap when engine running.
This latter, whilst perhaps the clincher, I was not been able to repeat during the limited time I had to investigate. As the flow and return are adjacent to each other on the pipe between heat exchanger and exhaust elbow I am not sure how much cooling flow there is and how it is maintained.
Assuming the parts are available replacement of the cooler does not look too difficult. As I understand it, the only 'setting' is achieved when the shaft nut is tightened to the correct torque as determined by preload. If the gearbox is the source of oily deposits in the bilge its also likely some seals will be compromised, unless there is a vent/breather that I have not found.
My query really revolves around does the gearbox actually need a cooler? Sure Mr VP fitted one, but then he also expected the gearbox outbut bearings to withstand prop thrust and in my installation that is taken care of by an Aquadrive setup so to my thinking the primary source of load/friction/heat has been removed.
Having just launched I'd prefer to spend my time sailing rather than spannering and I'm thinking of bypassing the cooling circuit, do a few cleansing oil changes and postpone the surgery until the autumn or beyond.
Any thoughts?
Steve
An unexplained wetness around and under the box,
Fresh oil quickly becoming thin and dirty
An upsurge of creamy oil on removing the filler cap when engine running.
This latter, whilst perhaps the clincher, I was not been able to repeat during the limited time I had to investigate. As the flow and return are adjacent to each other on the pipe between heat exchanger and exhaust elbow I am not sure how much cooling flow there is and how it is maintained.
Assuming the parts are available replacement of the cooler does not look too difficult. As I understand it, the only 'setting' is achieved when the shaft nut is tightened to the correct torque as determined by preload. If the gearbox is the source of oily deposits in the bilge its also likely some seals will be compromised, unless there is a vent/breather that I have not found.
My query really revolves around does the gearbox actually need a cooler? Sure Mr VP fitted one, but then he also expected the gearbox outbut bearings to withstand prop thrust and in my installation that is taken care of by an Aquadrive setup so to my thinking the primary source of load/friction/heat has been removed.
Having just launched I'd prefer to spend my time sailing rather than spannering and I'm thinking of bypassing the cooling circuit, do a few cleansing oil changes and postpone the surgery until the autumn or beyond.
Any thoughts?
Steve