Saildrive

[sailaboutvic]

We had problems with water in our saildrive this year , some thing we notices we never notices before in all the years we had boats with sail drives , which many be use full to others is ,
When checking the oil If while the drive been unused for some hour there a hissing when you remove the dip stick sound pressured that the first sign that some thing perhaps isn't right.

 

[yotter]

Pressurised by the ingress of seawater perhaps, more liquid, the same amount of air at the top, so higher pressure? Is the oil milky, if left for a few hours aft use, the water may settle at the bottom, perhaps best to check the oil shortly after stopping the engine.

 

[RichardS]

We had problems with water in our saildrive this year , some thing we notices we never notices before in all the years we had boats with sail drives , which many be use full to others is ,
When checking the oil If while the drive been unused for some hour there a hissing when you remove the dip stick sound pressured that the first sign that some thing perhaps isn't right.

Hi Vic. It sounds as if your saildrive is now water-tight again. The hissing actually means that the seals are sealing properly.

We've discussed the expansion and contraction which causes the hissing in saildrives many times before on here. It's the rationale why many of us only fill our saildrives to the minimum. Post 10 of this thread from May 2020 is probably the most recent discussion: Volvo Saildrive oil slightly over filled - should I Pela?

Richard

 

[sailaboutvic]

Pressurised by the ingress of seawater perhaps, more liquid, the same amount of air at the top, so higher pressure? Is the oil milky, if left for a few hours aft use, the water may settle at the bottom, perhaps best to check the oil shortly after stopping the engine.

I think you may had Miss read my posting , what I mean is , if when opening the oil dip stick people find there pressure that a good sign some thing isn't right .

 

[sailaboutvic]

Hi Vic. It sounds as if your saildrive is now water-tight again. The hissing actually means that the seals are sealing properly.

We've discussed the expansion and contraction which causes the hissing in saildrives many times before on here. It's the rationale why many of us only fill our saildrives to the minimum. Post 10 of this thread from May 2020 is probably the most recent discussion: Volvo Saildrive oil slightly over filled - should I Pela?

Richard

Yes as my email to you Richard , my problem is now sorted , just wanted to warn people if they find there a bit of pressure in their sail drive it's a good sign that they may have a problem , even if the oil isn't milky .

 

[yotter]

Vic,
You are probably correct, but I did not find your post to be clear.

just wanted to warn people if they find there a bit of pressure in their sail drive it's a good sign that they may have a problem. A good sign to having a problem, surely a bad sign if there is a problem?
Still confused, but good to hear if your saildrive is better
Angus

 

[RichardS]

Vic,
You are probably correct, but I did not find your post to be clear.

just wanted to warn people if they find there a bit of pressure in their sail drive it's a good sign that they may have a problem. A good sign to having a problem, surely a bad sign if there is a problem?
Still confused, but good to hear if your saildrive is better
Angus

I'm sure that Vic is saying that the hissing from the dipstick cap upon removal is a reliable indication that there might be a problem within the saildrive.

Richard

 

[Moodysailor]

The hissing sound is quite common, as the saildrive warms up in use some air is forced past the lip seals as it is slightly pressurised. The vaccum when it is cool is not quite enough to draw any back in.
An issue I have seen with saildrives is the prop shaft gets worn where the outer lip seal contacts it - the general dirt, scale and grime in sea water and the pressure of the seal cuts a groove over time. This seal has one job - to keep water out (there is a second seal behind this facing the other way which keeps oil in). If this lip seal is not sealing correctly then the vacuum created can draw water in when the unit cools down. I've seen more than a few of these that have passed a pressure test, but fail almost immediately on a vacuum test!
If this happens you have two options - if you are lucky, the seals can be installed in a slightly different position so that they contact the shaft on a different, unworn area. If they cannot, the shaft will need to be replaced, and this isn't that cheap either a) in parts or b) labour as the lower gear unit will need to be re-shimmed to the new tolerances.
I know you have fixed the problem now, so this is just general knowledge for the form - also confirming that the hissing sound is quite normal

 

[yotter]

The hissing sound is quite common, as the saildrive warms up in use some air is forced past the lip seals as it is slightly pressurised. The vaccum when it is cool is not quite enough to draw any back in.
An issue I have seen with saildrives is the prop shaft gets worn where the outer lip seal contacts it - the general dirt, scale and grime in sea water and the pressure of the seal cuts a groove over time. This seal has one job - to keep water out (there is a second seal behind this facing the other way which keeps oil in). If this lip seal is not sealing correctly then the vacuum created can draw water in when the unit cools down. I've seen more than a few of these that have passed a pressure test, but fail almost immediately on a vacuum test!
If this happens you have two options - if you are lucky, the seals can be installed in a slightly different position so that they contact the shaft on a different, unworn area. If they cannot, the shaft will need to be replaced, and this isn't that cheap either a) in parts or b) labour as the lower gear unit will need to be re-shimmed to the new tolerances.
I know you have fixed the problem now, so this is just general knowledge for the form - also confirming that the hissing sound is quite normal

There is actually a 3rd option, which I have taken in past. The shaft had a groove, and water had leaked in to produce milky oil. I used speedy sleeves on the shaft then replaced the seal, been fine for 4 years now, so worth trying before replacing and re-shimming the shaft.
Sorry for the slight thread drift, but this may be useful for some.
Angus

 

[PabloPicasso]

What are speedy sleeves, how much do they cost, how easy are they to fit, and where did you get them?

 

[RichardS]

What are speedy sleeves, how much do they cost, how easy are they to fit, and where did you get them?

These are speedi sleeves: SKF

Many of us, including Vic, have used them. Easy to obtain in the correct size, cheap and easy to fit.

Richard

 

[RichardS]

The hissing sound is quite common, as the saildrive warms up in use some air is forced past the lip seals as it is slightly pressurised. The vaccum when it is cool is not quite enough to draw any back in.
An issue I have seen with saildrives is the prop shaft gets worn where the outer lip seal contacts it - the general dirt, scale and grime in sea water and the pressure of the seal cuts a groove over time. This seal has one job - to keep water out (there is a second seal behind this facing the other way which keeps oil in). If this lip seal is not sealing correctly then the vacuum created can draw water in when the unit cools down. I've seen more than a few of these that have passed a pressure test, but fail almost immediately on a vacuum test!
If this happens you have two options - if you are lucky, the seals can be installed in a slightly different position so that they contact the shaft on a different, unworn area. If they cannot, the shaft will need to be replaced, and this isn't that cheap either a) in parts or b) labour as the lower gear unit will need to be re-shimmed to the new tolerances.
I know you have fixed the problem now, so this is just general knowledge for the form - also confirming that the hissing sound is quite normal

Post #3 and the link also refers.

Richard

 

[peter gibbs]

We had problems with water in our saildrive this year , some thing we notices we never notices before in all the years we had boats with sail drives , which many be use full to others is ,
When checking the oil If while the drive been unused for some hour there a hissing when you remove the dip stick sound pressured that the first sign that some thing perhaps isn't right.

It's normal to see a frothing of the oil after use, and an adjustment in air pressure when releasing the dip stick. The only indicator of importance is streaking in the oil, indicating most likely that the bottom seals are failing. In my own case, I noticed once a light indication of oil on the water in the wake of the boat when motoring; on checking the oil it was streaky.

Replacement of seals and oil is indicated; delay will risk corrosion of the oil-protected parts.

PWG

 

[sailaboutvic]

It's normal to see a frothing of the oil after use, and an adjustment in air pressure when releasing the dip stick. The only indicator of importance is streaking in the oil, indicating most likely that the bottom seals are failing. In my own case, I noticed once a light indication of oil on the water in the wake of the boat when motoring; on checking the oil it was streaky.

Replacement of seals and oil is indicated; delay will risk corrosion of the oil-protected parts.

PWG

Peter over the years of having saildrive I never notice any pressure in the drive when removing the dip stick ,
Seal are the major down side to these drives they not cheap in the first place but the real cost is having to haul out to replace them.
Most people here would haul each year but like oueself as full time liveaboard we only haul out when we need to.
This year we had the miss fortune to haul out twice to deal with water in the drive both times there was a distinct pressure when checking the oil ,
now we don't have any pressure,
Talking to volspec they also agree that altho you may get a little hiss if you check the oil while hot , once its cool these shouldn't be any .
I started this thread just so people are aware that if you do have pressure in the drive to be aware there maybe a problem and to keep an eye on the oil.
Milky oil isn't away seen , to explain this a bit more ,
If you check our oil not long after the saildrive been in use the oil was very milky , if you check it the next morning there was very little sign of discolour to the extend you may not notice there was a problem , the give away sign was the increase of fluid in the drive .
I hope this has been some help to people here and will save them an extra hual out

 

[sailaboutvic]

The hissing sound is quite common, as the saildrive warms up in use some air is forced past the lip seals as it is slightly pressurised. The vaccum when it is cool is not quite enough to draw any back in.
An issue I have seen with saildrives is the prop shaft gets worn where the outer lip seal contacts it - the general dirt, scale and grime in sea water and the pressure of the seal cuts a groove over time. This seal has one job - to keep water out (there is a second seal behind this facing the other way which keeps oil in). If this lip seal is not sealing correctly then the vacuum created can draw water in when the unit cools down. I've seen more than a few of these that have passed a pressure test, but fail almost immediately on a vacuum test!
If this happens you have two options - if you are lucky, the seals can be installed in a slightly different position so that they contact the shaft on a different, unworn area. If they cannot, the shaft will need to be replaced, and this isn't that cheap either a) in parts or b) labour as the lower gear unit will need to be re-shimmed to the new tolerances.
I know you have fixed the problem now, so this is just general knowledge for the form - also confirming that the hissing sound is quite normal

I'm sorry to disagree with you and so will volspec when the drive is cool there should be no pressure in there .
Also there a third option to the shaft score , that is as I don't on this shaft and a few others in the pass , use a speedy sleeve .

Edit sorry yotter just seen your posting re speedy sleeve .

 

[sailaboutvic]

What are speedy sleeves, how much do they cost, how easy are they to fit, and where did you get them?

Speed sleeve are a SKF product although others may made them, its a very thin SS ring you force over the shaft to cover the score mark , you need two one for each seal .
It seen that the 120E and the 130 shaft are the same size but please check before ordering,
The part number is CR 99125 and they are to fit a shaft 31.67 -31.88
Personally I would use them to repair a shaft then use a spacer .
Also some thing I never did when replace seals before but I learn my lesson at my cost this time , is run a tap ( thread cutter ) throught the bolts holes that hold the housing bolts to clean the theard ,
I found although I used locite on the bolts one worked it self free and I can only think there was some type of dirt ,oil or grease in the thread for it not to work .

 

[wizard]

+1 for speedy sleeves. A good repair at a cheap price!

and diy.

 

[peter gibbs]

+1 for speedy sleeves. A good repair at a cheap price!

and diy.

The saildrive shaft is the most common source of problems. As said, it can wear in way of the seals so that replacement seals do not perform. The sleeve approach to restoring the diameter of the drive shaft is well proven and is a DIY job. A new shaft is not required and this is a major saving.

PWG

 

[fontmell]

Hi all
I am confused by this post
Myoil level is below minimum just and I release pressure when Un doing dip stick.. Idon't think oil is milky but will drain and check properly when boat out water
assuming no water in oil
Do I have a problem?
Many thanks

 

[VicS]

Hi all
I am confused by this post
Myoil level is below minimum just and I release pressure when Un doing dip stick.. Idon't think oil is milky but will drain and check properly when boat out water
assuming no water in oil
Do I have a problem?
Many thanks

If your oil is not milky and you find no water you do not have a problem with water ingress
Provided you are not losing oil ( I note you say the level is below the minimum) you do not have a problem with oil leakage.

When you refill, fill to the level recommended in the owners manual, which is the max mark in the case of a VP drive. Do not fill above the max mark and always maintain the level between the max and min marks.