Saildrive leaking oil. Urgent or merely serious?

[VicS]

While the gearbox dipstick is pretty obvious, I don't seem to be able to find a dipstick on the saildrive leg. It's a Volvo 120s ( I think). I'm 400 km away from the boat right now and have no mway of identifying the model, but would appreciate any advice.

The dipstick is in the upper gearbox. There is no separate dipstick for the leg and lower gearbox.. its all one system .. one load of oil filling it to the level in the upper gear box.

I think Tranona has misunderstood you.

 

[AIDY]

They normally spit out oil from the cap with a dodgy o ring and slightly too much oil in the saildrive.

 

[DaveS]

Check the o ring on the top screw cap they fail often

+1

A couple of years ago I had this and found that the O ring (then at least 10 years old) had expanded by almost 10mm in diameter! It's replacement did the same thing after a year. I'm keeping an eye on the current one.

 

[corinthmistral]

Have just replaced my seals on a 120S. I did it on scrubbing posts between tides but I would not recommend it unless you have every necessary tool and are reasonably confident about doing the job. The source of emulsification on my saildrive was failure of the stainless spring that clips the seal around the shaft - coupled with me stupidly running the engine in astern during the winter alkngside for excessive periods, which forced the water into the failed seal and exacerbated the problem. If you replace the seals yourself, it is reasonably straightforward if you have the right tools and plan for contingencies. I ordered two seals, two SKF speedy sleeves and two taper roller bearings. I did not need the speedy sleeves in the end as the shaft already had them fitted, nor did I need the bearings, but I did not want to not have them to hand in case they were required. I found that Keypart were the cheapest for the seals and bearings, I got a quote from a couple of independent suppliers and those were more expensive. The speedy sleeves were gpb15 each, from the internet. You also need two o rings for the hub. I needed a puller to get the prop off. The one item I didnt have but which I woild recommend is a selection of shims to take up any wear in the bearings. These are available from volspec or keypart for about gbp2 each. Unfortunately its impossible to measure in advance for which shims you need so if you do attempt to do it on one tide then you may just get a selection. Good luck!

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

The dipstick is in the upper gearbox. There is no separate dipstick for the leg and lower gearbox.. its all one system .. one load of oil filling it to the level in the upper gear box.

I think Tranona has misunderstood you.

Thanks,VicS that confirms my observations, the owners manual is almost useless !

 

[Mike H/Friend Ship]

Clean and dry the whole upper unit with paper towels, rags, degreaser, Qtips, whatever.... Coat the entire upper unit with baby powder. Run the unit and you will see where the oil is coming from. Go from there.....

 

[santana]

I have run a 120se saildrive leg for 20yrs now.To check for water ingress in the saildrive leg I tend to run engine in gear for short period time then shut off. Using a small brass handle oil extracting pump feed the longest tube as deep as deep as it will go in through the dipstick hole of the gear unit.You can normally extract approx 1.5 litres of oil into a container.Not only does this give you a good indication of the quality of the oil it allows one to transfuse the contents with fresh oil.Naturally the prop shaft seals would need replaced in due time but this measure will keep the oil in pretty good state until repairs can be made.Repeating the whole procedure will eliminate any emulsification of oil.Inexpensive standard mineral oil if fine .

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Clean and dry the whole upper unit with paper towels, rags, degreaser, Qtips, whatever.... Coat the entire upper unit with baby powder. Run the unit and you will see where the oil is coming from. Go from there.....

Blue paper towel/wiper roll is an excellent medium for disclosing the sources of leaks of both oil and water.