Possible Low Drive Fluid Levels on Volvo Penta DPH-A

[Advantage]

Hey, have a quick question. For the facts, I have a 2007 Formula 400SS with VP 350's mated to DPH-A drives. I replaced the cone clutch and fork on the starboard drive last season.

I seem to be losing a little drive lube from my starboard drive the last couple of weeks. It wasn't obvious at first what fluid it was as I first thought I may have losing other fluids like trim, tab, or even steering. But, I believe I have traced it back to the drive.

Why the heck you can't check the fluid levels from inside the boat like with Mercruiser products is a poor design IMHO nor can you fill it up without pulling the boat out of the water.

Then, this weekend, there was a rather large pool of drive lube as I parked the boat in a slip at a restaurant. After about two hours and finishing lunch, we got back in the boat and she started to slip or slowly engage forward gear. Reverse not a problem. Symptoms felt very much the same as the cone clutch issue I had last year.

However, this time I believe the slipping is due to low drive fluid. Does anyone know if our EVC's monitor drive fluid levels? I assume they don't or I should have seen a low fluid warning. Also, I am having the boat pulled this week from the water to take a look at what's going on. Any advice or suggestions?

 

[volvopaul]

Hey, have a quick question. For the facts, I have a 2007 Formula 400SS with VP 350's mated to DPH-A drives. I replaced the cone clutch and fork on the starboard drive last season.

I seem to be losing a little drive lube from my starboard drive the last couple of weeks. It wasn't obvious at first what fluid it was as I first thought I may have losing other fluids like trim, tab, or even steering. But, I believe I have traced it back to the drive.

Why the heck you can't check the fluid levels from inside the boat like with Mercruiser products is a poor design IMHO nor can you fill it up without pulling the boat out of the water.

Then, this weekend, there was a rather large pool of drive lube as I parked the boat in a slip at a restaurant. After about two hours and finishing lunch, we got back in the boat and she started to slip or slowly engage forward gear. Reverse not a problem. Symptoms felt very much the same as the cone clutch issue I had last year.

However, this time I believe the slipping is due to low drive fluid. Does anyone know if our EVC's monitor drive fluid levels? I assume they don't or I should have seen a low fluid warning. Also, I am having the boat pulled this week from the water to take a look at what's going on. Any advice or suggestions?

No you cannot check the level without lifting the boat clear of the water .
checking is all part of annual maintenance.

Tell me how you check the level , give as much detail as you can and I may be able to tell you the problem.

 

[Advantage]

Since the marina pulls the boat from the water at the end of the season, they are the ones that replace the drive fluid annually. I would do it as I do all my other maintenance myself, but do not have access to a trailer. What is your first or second impressions of the issue? Perhaps they used the wrong seal or gasket or didn't replace it. I assume having low drive fluid would cause delayed shifting?

Thanks for your help.

 

[volvopaul]

What seals did they replace?
There is a protocol when filling the drive after draining , you sound a very trusting person , do you actually y know that they have changed the oil when you ask them to , it’s £96 plus vat for 5 litres , do you know they are using the correct oil?
I still find on a regular basis especially when looking over owners invoices when carrying out pre purchase inspections that the wrong fluids are used in the wrong application, scenarios like this can cause the problem you have .

 

[volvopaul]

Since the marina pulls the boat from the water at the end of the season, they are the ones that replace the drive fluid annually. I would do it as I do all my other maintenance myself, but do not have access to a trailer. What is your first or second impressions of the issue? Perhaps they used the wrong seal or gasket or didn't replace it. I assume having low drive fluid would cause delayed shifting?

Thanks for your help.

No , too much oil can cause a delay and slip because the cone is designed to throw the oil away from the clutch face and cup when it engages .
Too much oil can cause a float effect inside the drive not allowing the clutch face to grip the cone . Too little oil can overheat the drive causing the clutch to slip which burns the oil turning it black .

What seals have they replaced , I’d assume this is where your external leak is from .

 

[Advantage]

@volvopaul or anyone else, I believe my prop shaft seals need replacing. Anyone know the parts and or numbers that I need to purchase? Diagram from volvepentastore for reference. Thank you.

 

[volvopaul]

29/30/18/19 seals
2 o rings 24
23 drain plug seal .

why assume it’s the shaft seals , could be anything until it’s lifted and pressure tested do not assume what it is .

 

[Advantage]

Thank you for your quick response. I will know more tomorrow and let you know what I/we find.