Volvo DPH prop repair recommendations

[ozzie]

We have been out today for a "sea trial" and survey on the Bavaria we are buying. We were on the Thames at Bray, so we only managed a quick blast to get on the plane, but it went well with the D4 260s. Back in for the lift and survey. Survey was all good, just a couple of very minor issues, but the marine engineer found a few problems. Firstly the sea water strainer lids were the original ones, for some reason the modified items had not been fitted, and due to the time delay (she is 2013) we will have to pay for their replacement. Secondly the oil in both legs was emulsified, and having checked the service receipts it had the same problem at the last service nearly two years ago, which was supposed to have been remedied. Also as the boat has lived on the river the props have touched bottom, so a blade on each of the rear props have slight bends to the edge, and minor nicks and burrs to all the blades which doesn't look overly serious. Can anyone recommend someone who could repair them, and a likely cost? I have used Steel Developments for ally repairs before, but their website doesn't show they do nibral props?

 

[mcanderson]

You could try these guys - Propeller Repair

I haven’t used them, it had a recommendation.

 

[volvopaul]

We have been out today for a "sea trial" and survey on the Bavaria we are buying. We were on the Thames at Bray, so we only managed a quick blast to get on the plane, but it went well with the D4 260s. Back in for the lift and survey. Survey was all good, just a couple of very minor issues, but the marine engineer found a few problems. Firstly the sea water strainer lids were the original ones, for some reason the modified items had not been fitted, and due to the time delay (she is 2013) we will have to pay for their replacement. Secondly the oil in both legs was emulsified, and having checked the service receipts it had the same problem at the last service nearly two years ago, which was supposed to have been remedied. Also as the boat has lived on the river the props have touched bottom, so a blade on each of the rear props have slight bends to the edge, and minor nicks and burrs to all the blades which doesn't look overly serious. Can anyone recommend someone who could repair them, and a likely cost? I have used Steel Developments for ally repairs before, but their website doesn't show they do nibral props?

What boat you buying ?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

We have been out today for a "sea trial" and survey on the Bavaria we are buying. We were on the Thames at Bray, so we only managed a quick blast to get on the plane, but it went well with the D4 260s
...

You decided on the one with the hardtop then...?

 

[volvopaul]

We have been out today for a "sea trial" and survey on the Bavaria we are buying. We were on the Thames at Bray, so we only managed a quick blast to get on the plane, but it went well with the D4 260s. Back in for the lift and survey. Survey was all good, just a couple of very minor issues, but the marine engineer found a few problems. Firstly the sea water strainer lids were the original ones, for some reason the modified items had not been fitted, and due to the time delay (she is 2013) we will have to pay for their replacement. Secondly the oil in both legs was emulsified, and having checked the service receipts it had the same problem at the last service nearly two years ago, which was supposed to have been remedied. Also as the boat has lived on the river the props have touched bottom, so a blade on each of the rear props have slight bends to the edge, and minor nicks and burrs to all the blades which doesn't look overly serious. Can anyone recommend someone who could repair them, and a likely cost? I have used Steel Developments for ally repairs before, but their website doesn't show they do nibral props?

If the seals were changed previous then I’d say the shafts are scored so will need new shafts which is an uneconomical job , the next move is new lower half drive but not available from Volvo , you could be looking at a whole new drive to remedy the problem .

Of course your surveyor / engineer should be advising you which way to go .

 

[[2068]]

DPH-D lower units are showing as available.
But £5k per side is not a cheap fix!

Volvo Penta Transmissions | Drive Unit, Complete DPH-D | Volvopentashop.com

 

[volvopaul]

If the seals were changed previous then I’d say the shafts are scored so will need new shafts which is an uneconomical job , the next move is new lower half drive but not available from Volvo , you could be looking at a whole new drive to remedy the problem .

Of course your surveyor / engineer should be advising you which way to go .

DPH-D lower units are showing as available.
But £5k per side is not a cheap fix!

Volvo Penta Transmissions | Drive Unit, Complete DPH-D | Volvopentashop.com

They are on epc until you try and order one , been no stock for 13 months now , I had to fit a complete drive last week .
Insurer picked up the bill

 

[[2068]]

ok, £10k per side is definitely not a cheap fix!

 

[ozzie]

Its a 2013 Bavaria 35 Sport hardtop

What boat you buying ?

 

[ozzie]

If the seals were changed previous then I’d say the shafts are scored so will need new shafts which is an uneconomical job , the next move is new lower half drive but not available from Volvo , you could be looking at a whole new drive to remedy the problem .

Of course your surveyor / engineer should be advising you which way to go .

It was only one seal that was replaced on each leg, I think it was something to do with actuator seal? My engineer did find that the oil filler plug wasn't very tight, he did say it could be something as simple as that...

 

[ozzie]

You decided on the one with the hardtop then...?

yes, after much deliberation we went for the hardtop with D4s. I liked the look of the open with the canopy down, but in reality I don't know how often we would actually take it down. The hardtop opens more than the Beneteau, and slides very easily.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I like mine a lot.

 

[Andyroonot]

They are on epc until you try and order one , been no stock for 13 months now , I had to fit a complete drive last week .
Insurer picked up the bill

They definitely were short on stock but now show the following lower units available for order:

1.59 x 3
1.63 x 3
1.69 x 1
1.75 x 15
1.85 x 3
1.96 x 12
2.08 x 9

 

[volvopaul]

They definitely were short on stock but now show the following lower units available for order:

1.59 x 3
1.63 x 3
1.69 x 1
1.75 x 15
1.85 x 3
1.96 x 12
2.08 x 9

Thanks for heads up .

 

[A_8]

If the drive have had water in it for 2 seasons I would stay far away from it or bring the price down, as you start using the boat at higher revs (not river speeds) you will get problems. Bearings loose their protective surface due to the water and after 50 hours plus at higher torques they will wear down and need replacing at some point thereafter.

 

[volvopaul]

If the drive have had water in it for 2 seasons I would stay far away from it or bring the price down, as you start using the boat at higher revs (not river speeds) you will get problems. Bearings loose their protective surface due to the water and after 50 hours plus at higher torques they will wear down and need replacing at some point thereafter.

Well said A8 , I put over my view on the water ingress , the inner shafts seem to score easier than the outer ones .
I would have thought the OP engineer would be giving sounds advice on how to proceed .
I would be wanting the drives stripping , assessing and a report on how good they are inside .

I too was on the Thames last week looking over a pair of D6 DPH drives , the starboard one had a soft take up of drive , strange for a low hour DPH, when the boat was lifted the drive oil was like milk.