Outdrive Servicing

[boatone]

We all know that Volvo et al recommend annual oil change and servicing for their outdrives but I wonder what the reality is out there in the real world. Servicing outdrives means boat must be out of water for a start so even more expensive than just servicing and spares costs. Talking to folks around the marinas and on the river I get the distinct impression that a lot of outdrives dont get the full monte anything like once a year and I came across a boat with an Enfield Z Drive recently where we can be sure its at least 3 seasons since the boat was out of the water.
Anyone care to spill the beans on their attitiude to longer intervals between services and whether any significant problems were experienced. Will the gaiters last 2 or 3 years between changes, is an oil change every year really needed on a river based boat. Looked at the oil levels in my legs yesterday and the oil looks really clean - legs were fully overhauled about 18 months ago.


TonyR
boatone@boatsontheweb.com
www.boatsonthethames.co.uk

 

[trev]

I probably do under 150 hours per year and take my boat out of the water every two years for servicing and all that goes with it. I consider this to be a bit extreme even allowing for the fact they're Volvos. A good engineer should be able to give some idea as to the life left in the gaiters - I had some on an old Project I used to own which lasted for four years.

Trev

 

[Chris_d]

Gaiters good for 4-5years in my experience, perishing on the outside will be evident but this doesn't mean their shot.
I change the oil every year, which is cheap to do, if its not milky means your gaiters are fine, shotblast the anodes to remove any scale, repaint the drive, grease the prop shaft and gear selector, job done. If you do that every year chances are you will spot something more serious long before it becomes expensive.

 

[rich]

boatone, i let mine go 3 seasons with no bother, rub off any barnacles on the gaters, ps volvo oil = shell spirax x75w/90,i got 20litres left that i dont need. its yours if you want it,next time your in jersey

 

[DavidJ]

Just check the oil for milkyness each year. If it's ok I really can't see the point in changing the oil especially if you've got a duoprop which takes expensive synthetic oil. As for gaiters change every third year has been ok for me.
David

 

[mtb]

What about arranging some sort of cover, to cover over the out drive when not in use .The sun does most of the damage in my opinion.
Every one has given you the best advice
Mick

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/boats
I want a big steel ex trawler / tug v/cheep or swap for tug

 

[jfm]

The oil definitely doesn't need changing, ever probly. Only reason people change it is to see if milky colour so you know if seals are bust. But you could just drain a bit and see the colour. also the seals should last several years anyway. Not sure about gaiters

 

[Col]

All agreed, with the extra note that anodes don't last as long, so a haul out to replace them might have to be done. Some mercruisers also have anodes up the exhaust hub to protect propshaft.

 

[Guest]

I'd do it at least once every two years (the outdrive service that is) because there's more to servicing than just changing the oils. You should be checking reverse lock condition, especially on Enfields and some Volvos, to make sure the catch is operating freely and smoothly, or you could suffer damage that will not be covered by your insurance. You also need to check items such as swivel hub bolts for tightness, and in my perhaps jaundiced view the concept of stopping an expensive boat from sinking by relying on a thin piece of rubber for five years is barmy: change them gaiters every two years whether they look bad or not!

 

[petem]

Correction.....

Volvo recommend outdrive services every other year, not every year. Sounds reasonable to me considering the cost if one gets knackered. Also time it so that it's done when the boats out the water for antifouling. BA Peters quoted me around £350+vat (inc parts, labour) per drive for the full monty (inc re-painting).

 

[boatone]

Re: Correction.....

The maintenance scheme in the Volvo instruction handbook for my AQD32/270's says to change oil in outboard drive every 100 hours or once a season, whichever first and to check position and status of the locking rod and retaining pawl every season. Also says to check oil level every 14 days and to check the anodes at least every 14 days.


TonyR
boatone@boatsontheweb.com
www.boatsonthethames.co.uk

 

[petem]

Re: Correction.....

Tony,

I took mine from my KAD32 manual which presumably has the same leg. Perhaps the advice has changed over the years?

Best people to ask would be someone like Motortech (Port Solent) who seemed to take a fairly pragmatic approach.

Regards, Pete

 

[Scubadoo]

Re: Correction.....

My AD31 manual says the oil change every other year. It also says check the oil level every 14days, now considering the oil level guage is on top of the outdrive, I assume you need to lift the boat out every 14days - daft guidelines.

Mine is checked every year when the boat is out for Antifoul etc.

RM.

 

[Guest]

When servicing the leg check the coolant water intake nipple - connects to that expensive 's' hose. These are metal and have a tendancy to corrode. When this happens the engine will overheat when on the plane but will cool again when at displacement speed. This has happened to me and there is no other warining. Also remember to replace the seal it sits on. Volvo now make these nipples out of plastic but guess what they are not interchangeable or so I am told. What is it with those Swedes?