Saildrive oil change

[mick]

I used my Pela pump to remove 2 litres of oil from my Volvo 130S saildrive. That leaves about 1 litre that I can't get out. Should I be bothered or should I stop worrying and get a life?

 

[Tranona]

You will never get it all out that way - only draining from the bottom will do. Check what oil you have because early (up to 2011 or so) used ATF, whereas now the recommendation is engine oil. If you are changing oil you have to drain completely. If you have ATF in then top up with same. That is advice from my local Volvo dealer. The change of oil is advisory, not mandatory.

 

[mick]

You will never get it all out that way - only draining from the bottom will do. Check what oil you have because early (up to 2011 or so) used ATF, whereas now the recommendation is engine oil. If you are changing oil you have to drain completely. If you have ATF in then top up with same. That is advice from my local Volvo dealer. The change of oil is advisory, not mandatory.

If the change is advisory, why do I have to get all the oil out?

 

[VicS]

The relevant service bulletin can be found at http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/saildriveoilchange.pdf

They seem to imply that it is Ok to change what can be changed , leaving some ATF in the drive, rather drain entirely

 

[Tranona]

If the change is advisory, why do I have to get all the oil out?

Better not to mix the two. I stayed with ATF. The wording of the service bulletin is ambiguous. It talks on the one hand about "changing" but implies OK to leave some of the old in. However, leaving one third of the old in seems at odds with changing. When I raised it with the dealer who installed my new drive, he recommended sticking with the ATF, so just sucked out what he could and topped up with fresh oil.

 

[mick]

As my current lubricant is 15w/40, I should be O.K. topping up.

 

[Laurie]

One of the advantages of draining it all out (surely easier than sucking it out?) is that it ensures you know whether water has got in, normally via the shaft seal. If you suck it out and are unable to get to the bottom, that's where the water will sit if the drive is unused for a period.

 

[rim58]

One of the advantages of draining it all out (surely easier than sucking it out?) is that it ensures you know whether water has got in, normally via the shaft seal. If you suck it out and are unable to get to the bottom, that's where the water will sit if the drive is unused for a period.

You'll know if water has got in because the oil will be discoloured and emulsified, goes a grey colour, I know from experience!

 

[mick]

Thanks for replies.

 

[prv]

One of the advantages of draining it all out (surely easier than sucking it out?)

Not if the boat's in the water!

Pete

 

[Laurie]

Not if the boat's in the water!

Pete

LOL