Volvo 120s saildrive how long do they last.

[AndCur]

Hi Folks

I am looking at a yacht built in 1985 with a Volvo 120s saildrive which appears to be good condition but I was wondering what the life span
of a sail drive leg is.Should I be looking to budget for a new leg during my ownership or do these legs last for the life time of the boat.
I know that the leg seal needs replace at regular intervals which should not cause many problems

As always thanks for the advice.

Andrew

 

[chrisc]

how many hours ? this would seem to be more important.

 

[boatmike]

Ignoring the seals, which need periodic replacement, treat it like a gearbox. There are only two enemies. Corrosion and lack of maintenance. The first will be obvious. For the second check the oil on the dipstick behind the engine. Better still (with the owners permission) drain a little oil from the drainplug in the bottom of the leg and see if it is clean. If it is milky that means water has got in to the oil, possibly through the shaft seals . If it looks clean and has a reasonable viscosity it should be OK. Given these two checks show nothing untoward a saildrive leg should last as long as the engine.

 

[paddywackcocker]

I agree with boatmike and add that the volvo sail drive suffer from the anode secureing screw threads comeing loose and couseing the resulting corrosion and pitting to leg (easely cured by hellicoiling)The pitting is permanant and not good. The spline drive (engine cush drive plate to gearbox) do ware but you cannot check this with out splitting. If you wer to replace the diaphram then you can inspect this at the same time. There is a hex drive plate that you can perchase but meens you have to replace the first motion shaft in the box as well, unless you are frendly with a competent machine shop that can machine your shaft (you would have to strip box) the lower output shaft do suffer from the seels makeing a ware rigde, that is not normally a problem and can be softend with a good rub down. In some cases the groove is to deep and a new shaft needs to be sort. There is a company that make a nice repair kit for the lower shaft, there was a article about it in PBO last year, I think they wer in Birmingham but not sure. This would save a lot of boat tokens, it consists of two seels and two sleeves and some easy to follow instructions. If looked after these sail drive units should be caperble of outlasting the engine/owner. The cxxp bit is the silly nylon tap for the water intake but if you can change this your sorted.

 

[scarlett]

The one I had, as far as I am aware, not been ovehauled or had a seal changed from new in 1982. When I had it for a decade I just changed the oil every two or three years but examined a glass full every year. The boat was used for six months a year and dry for the winters. I am pretty sure it still hasn't been overhauled since I sold her. With care I think they last for ever! I would happily buy a 25 yo second hand one after a thorough inspection.

PS I always include Slick 50 in everything but not everone agrees it is a good idea.

 

[smiala]

Hi,

I am new to this forum, and new to Volvo penta. A long story but I have just acquired an etap 26 with a md5c, both of which have not been in the water for 18years. !

Reading this forum I was looking for any advice on the engine and what common problems have been encountered.

The engine was only 5 years old before lying up, turns well, with clean oil.

I have the workshop manual and although I have worked on a range of car/outboard engines, I have little experience of 'old' diesels.

I feel we would need to replace the shaft seals, filters, water seals, the big diaphragm, oils, etc., but not sure.....

Any general advise or if anyone knows of a good engineer in the Norfolk/Suffolk area pls advise. The engine is out the boat, also if anyone has a stand so I can run it up that would be useful.

Thanks