Volvo Outdrives Cautionary Tale

I had exhaust bellows kit from Keypart, bought 'pattern part' not Volvo. Clips failed in 1 year.
Buy Volvo original from Keypart and clips were fine for 2 years....
Been replacing mine myself for the last 6 years and am pretty certain that pattern parts, to reduce cost, use cheaper stainless.
I always buy Volvo original UJ bellows and clips. Not worth risking a failure.
The Volvo clips via Keypart are fine when I take them off after 2 years so I keep them as spares...

So it comes down to 'you get what you pay for'....
 
Slightly off tack I know, but why do we double clip sea cock hoses inside the boat but cannot fit double clips on the outdrive bellows. Not very 'marine engineered' is it?
 
Volvo Penta indicate the use of gasket sealing compound/ cement between the bellows and stub on the outdrive, at least they do for the SX/DPS drives.So, in the event of a clip failure, the joint is still watertight...never had to test it, as I've never had a genuine VP hose clip fail. Whether that's due to superior quality to the aftermarket ones or the bonding system to the anodes , I don't know.The original VP bellows on my boat let in a small amount of water; however, the factory installed clip wasn't particulary tight and they hadn't used the gasket sealing compound they should have!

Graham
 
Advice re Water in Stern Drive Oil please

I had a full service on my KAD 34 DP Drive last year. I have just discovered that the oil is now Milky. How can I determine the cause and get the problem fixed? Can anyone reccommend a good service Engineer. My boat is kept on the Medway in Kent.

Thank you.
 
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A pressure test and vacuum test of the drive would diagnose where the water is being allowed to get in to the drive.

Not particularly difficult with suitable equipment i'm afraid i cant recommend anyone local to your area but i'nm sure someone here will soon.
 
Following our trip to Wells we have developed a hydraulic oil leak from one of the drive rams. Woke up saturday morning to find most of it had leaked into the marina!!! The remaining oil in the reservior resembles strawberry milkshake.

We had the drive serviced in March and since it was relaunched we have had a slight leak which we had put down to a dirty exhaust as the injectors have never been looked at in nearly 700 hours.

The marina dont seem too worried as they wont be looking at the boat until early next week but they did seem confident of fixing her on a two hour lift so fingers crossed.
 
Three options for outdrive fixing.

Can anyone recommend a good service Engineer. My boat is kept on the Medway in Kent.

You have 3 options.
Your nearest Volvo dealer is at Medway Bridge Marina and will do everything inc lift out.
There are two independant companies.If you are prepared to remove leg yourself,you can save a fortune use Coastal Rides at Dover or IVSS are on Romney Marsh.
IVSS are small outfit and do not charge VAT.
If you need more info PM. Fred.
 
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