Volvo MD 2030/Saildrive Reverse Gear Issues

paulrae

paulrae

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 Oct 2004
Messages
276
Location
Clyde coast, Scotland
Visit site
It may well be just me, but it's worth asking the question anyway.

Could my reverse gear be slipping? Over the last few weeks/months we've been noticing that, when using reverse to reduce our forward motion entering our berth, the impact has been very variable. Until now I've blamed it on our flex-o-fold 2 bladed prop. Yesterday it was fairly breezy (20 kn up the transom) in the marina, pushing us into the berth. So I engaged reverse to hold us off the main spine pontoon whilst I removed the springs and arranged the lines for wifey and I to slip and have a day out. Constant revs, constant breeze, but suddenly a call from the fordeck, 'we're being blown forwards darling, could you possibly, when you're ready, just give us a tad more reverse, please' (or words to that effect). More throttle (in reverse) did nothing, so I did the brave thing, dabbed forward then reverse and everything was lovely again. This isn't the first time that this phenomenon has exhibited itself. Is it just me, or do I have yet another mechanical problem?

Break it to me gently.

Paul
 
You probably need to first check that the gear cable is adjusted correctly.

Unclip it from the fwd/neutral/rev lever at the saildrive end of the cable and holding the cable over the lever, make sure that it lines up in all three positions.. i.e. let the gearbox lever click central.. then make sure that the hole in the end of the cable is perfectly above it (to start with).. Then check that fully forwards and fully reversed (for the gearbox lever) are also in alignment with the cable end (when the cockpit lever is moved into fwds and reverse)..

Hope this makes sense.

PS - Have you changed oil recently and is it the same sort as before? and finally... Is the Saildrive oil level definitely between the marks..? not too much nor too little.
 
Do you know what saildrive you have as there are two types with different characteristics?

How did you get on with the overheating checks
 
Not so sure that it's a cable problem, as we get drive for a while, then no drive. It certanly makes berthing with a tail-wind interesting! I'm suitably ignorant of gearbox internals to have no idea whether this is a sensible symptom of 'slipping'?
 
If it's the gearbox with the upwards and downward facing cones, then it's a very fine/accurate adjustment that is needed.. If adjustment is just ever so slightly out... the cone may just grip if you're lucky (or may not grip)..

It's a five minute check.. so worthwhile doing anyway. If adjustment is out then cones could be wearing without you knowing. Ahhhh.. is the gearbox oil clear or when you last drained the leg, were there any golden flakes (or anything else) in it?
 
Can't find any specifics on the actual saildrive from the info that I have at home, unfortunately, although the oil was changed winter 2010/2011.

Haven't managed to inspect the exhaust hose/ water lock since the last overheating issue. I've wresteld with the various hoses, but come off second best. I reckon that there are some issues that are going to bite me on the bum when I least expect it. Joy!
 
Knowledge of gerabox type is needed.

Early MD2030s where fitted with 120S drive with the "upward and downwards" cones described by Martin J

Later ones with 130S drive ... a totally different animal internally.

Easy to tell them apart. The shift mechanism is on the top of the 130 drive but on the side of the 120 drive

Cable/ linkage adjustment would be the first thing to check whatever box is fitted, followed perhaps by an inspection of the prop

BTW Volvo now recommend engine oil for the 130 ( like the 120) rather than the previously recommended ATF
 
I had similar problems with my 2030 which manifested as a hesitancy to engage forward gear. Initially I had the cables adjusted which cured the problem temporarily but eventually the problem was diagnosed as wear on the cones. These can only be changed with the boat out of the water but I would strongly recommend that you have the drive checked as, not only the cones, but the gears they mesh into were also worn as it appeared I had been getting some slippage for some time.

This then gets very expensive and I ended up getting a whole new engine and drive but that's another story!
 
You could check back to this thread where I posted a link to a video I made of how the cones work...

Previous thread regarding 120SD cones

If adjustment is even slightly out then the internal end of the selector will continually rub on the cones (which I guess will cause premature wear)... It really does only take a couple of minutes to check.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top