Outdrives

[NoIllusion]

Anyone been involved with replacing/repairing hydraulic rams for Volvo 290 outdrives?. I have had 3 fail in the last 18 months. Volvo assure me that they cannot be repaired (leaking fluid)...but at £300 each (plus labour) it hurts to keep buying new

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[BarryH]

Depends whats wrong with them. Most of the time they can be repaired. Rather than going to a pukka volvo dealer try your local hydraulics place.

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[DavidJ]

Are you sure its the rams and not the hydraulic pipes which have a very short life.

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[syd]

Speak to Paul Grieve at Coastal Rides, 01797 367333.

He has new or recon parts for all Volvo's. He's a nice bloke and will give you good advice.

Syd


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[oldgit]

Why are they failing?.Is it due to corrosion because of electrolysis or units failing due to seized pivot pins or is it purely down to old age.
As regards the hoses they can certainly be replaced by your local hose emporium,although they may have to order in the correct hose couplings.
Had x8 made up for my 2 outdrives @ 22.00 each.
Try Keyparts or Volspec for bit of a discount on the usual Volvo High(water)way robbery prices.

<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.

 

[Dave_Knowles]

I had mine go late last year and therefore when the boat was out for it's summer scrub I got them replaced. Unfortunately this was not the end of the problem for the pump was also no good due to possibly water getting in when the rams went. What seems to happen is when the rams leak and you use them they pump sea water into the pump and this rots the inside which is not a good thing for the pump costs about £1000 (yes it is the right number of naughts). Do you knowe if you have the new type pump. Volvo no longer make the old type but you can get the new ones seconhand. You will also need the relays for they are different on the new pump.

If you want to discuss the options send me a PM with your phone number. I live in Hythe just up the road from you.

<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[oldgit]

Just a thought but those early pumps(as in my 1982 boat with 280T) look exactly the same as the pumps in a previous boat with Mercruiser outdrives.
Ps.You may already know,but the pumps are dead easy to get to bits for possible fixing.

<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.

 

[Dave_Knowles]

I have checked with quite a few people and have been told that spares are not obtainable for the old style pumps. Where do you get spares from? Also if seawater has got in it may need be badly corroded inside.

<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[NoIllusion]

Thanks for the reply. Suspect that the legs may have been left raised over long periods before I bought it. The boat is 7 years old. I use Volspec already. Find that they are really helpful and always beat my local Volvo dealer/engineer on price.
Electrolysis could be a problem as the ring anodes on the legs were virtually gone 9 months after renewing this year.

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[NoIllusion]

Thanks Syd

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[NoIllusion]

Definately the rams......fluid visible leaking from end. The small bore stainless pipes look in excellent condition.

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[NoIllusion]

Thanks Barry. It certainly has a a STEEP learning curve this boating business!!.

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[Solitaire]

I had to have my 290 leg rams etc replaced - I have the bill in front of me - R U sitting down? £2,880.91 The trim pump had to be repalced due to water ingress via the rams - cost of part £845.22 (oh, yes and add the VAT!). The trim cyl kit was £379.04 and again add the VAT. So I had all this done and the engine then blew up about 3 months later - result - £3k down the drain! I put a diesel in with a totally different leg!

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboat-training.co.uk>Serious</A> Fun

 

[NoIllusion]

I think mine is the new type pump........it sits inside a transparent plastic box on the fwd engine space bulkhead. It actually started leaking last year after I had both engines removed for major heart surgery.......I have my suspicions that it was damaged by a size 10 boot during the operation....it seems to leak just at the point where the 2 pipes enter. Volvo quoted me approx £280 + vat for a replacement but I have lived with the leak due to more pressing "replacements" that have occurred. I lifted the boat out 3 weeks ago for a quick scrub, leg service and antifoul..........now looking at a bill for 3k......new props, new ram, leg service, and a reground duoprop shaft (worn seals made 3 grooves in shaft) so not a very happy Xmas on my boat!!!!!. Thanks for the tip on being able to get secondhand pumps though.

Thanks

Dave

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[Dave_Knowles]

If it has a transparent box it is the new type. If you want to contact me I could pop over sometime and maybe throw some light on what might be the cause.

<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[DepSol]

Buy the kit its much cheaper then just replace the broken one leaving one spare everytime

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[Scarron]

If you have a U/S ram I could take a look at I'd be happy to have a go at replacing the seals for you, being in that biz [manufacture of Hydraulic/Pneumatic seals]. If it'll come apart and go back together - we should be able to fix it! I am based in Southampton.

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[Dave_Knowles]

This is the point I was trying to make it could be the original rams going caused water into the pump and now this is causing part of the problem. It is important not to lift and drop the outdrive a lot if the rams are leaking or like Solitaire you could end up with a big bill.

As I understand it Volvo don't recomend leaving the outdrive up because any growth on the ram rods can cause wear on the seals when you lower the drive.

<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk