Volvo Penta MS@B

[Leegva]

My Volvo Penta MS2B transmission stopped working. I pulled it and have the diagram to show all internal parts. In trying to find the problem I note that when the shaft driven by the engine is turned nothing turns on the output shaft. This happens no matter whether it is in forward, neutral or reverse. When I turn the output shaft (and it is in gear F or R) the input shaft turns. Seems like there isn't a problem in gear engagement but in how the mechanism is engaged....any opinions? I've talked to Volvo Penta in my area and they recommend replacing the entire transmission which is out of the question.

 

[VicS]

Yo will find the workshop manual
here
VOLVO PENTA MS2 WORKSHOP MANUAL Pdf Download
or here
https://www.plaisance-pratique.com/IMG/pdf/VolvoMS2-SD120_manual.pdf

Presumably you tried operating it by hand with the remote control disconnected

maybe the dog on the selector is worn #35 in the attached diagram

Perhaps the cone clutches are worn ......... if you have the parts lists you will know how much the gear set and the sliding sleeve cost (#8 and #22)


There is a good video which shows how the MS2b works ... Perhaps someone has a link to it
.

 

[emmalina]

Had this happen to one Maybe take a look ! https://www.therapturedesigns.com/single-post/2018/05/22/volvo-penta-2002-ms2b-spline-shaft-repair

 

[VicS]

.

 

[VicS]

Had this happen to one Maybe take a look ! Volvo Penta 2002 MS2B Spline Shaft Repair

This applies to MS2B gearboxes and VP2000 series engines upto engine number 2300059128.
See DB Marine - The Centre for Volvo Penta

IIRC there is also something about it on the Westerly owners website

If the OP has taken the gearbox out he will be able to see the condition of the splines

 

[emmalina]

Clutch is always a problem too and VP only supply the complete assembly ! if your lucky you can lap it.
Volvo ms-2 cone

 

[Leegva]

Thanks for the input. The engine is a 2002. My hope is that because I can actually engage the gears in fwd & reverse that they are not broken. I'll next remove the shift mechanism to see if all the parts (dog & spring) are intact and then look over what they interface with to see if any wear is showing. The price list on some of these thing are astronomical so if it can't be fixed....my sailing days may be over. I bought this boat in 2001 for not much so my investment is low. Shame though because it's a 30 footer with Cruise Air, Wheel Steering, AutoHelm, Roller furling, Solid sails, and on & on. Engine also solid. The net....Everything works....except the Trans.

 

[pandos]

Thanks for the input. The engine is a 2002. My hope is that because I can actually engage the gears in fwd & reverse that they are not broken. I'll next remove the shift mechanism to see if all the parts (dog & spring) are intact and then look over what they interface with to see if any wear is showing. The price list on some of these thing are astronomical so if it can't be fixed....my sailing days may be over. I bought this boat in 2001 for not much so my investment is low. Shame though because it's a 30 footer with Cruise Air, Wheel Steering, AutoHelm, Roller furling, Solid sails, and on & on. Engine also solid. The net....Everything works....except the Trans.

If you look around there are guys who can fix these. Take it to a non marine gearbox place and ask them to have a look.

My friend had his fixed by a company that deals in auto and industrial gearboxes. It had been to a specialist marine place who had condemned it and offered him a replacement at a couple of thousand pounds.

If you decide to buy a used replacement be very careful to check that it is exactly the same...

 

[superheat6k]

When I couldn't find a manual for the MS3B I wrote this - might help.

Volvo Penta MS3B Gearbox overhaul instructions.pdf

 

[Leegva]

Yes it's a great help. Something strange has happened and I'm thinking of pinching myself to be sure my eyes aren't deceiving me. This morning after determining that the shift control was the only thing I would try to remove and check out, I (as I've done many times before) turned the input shaft and Eureka....the output turned!!! Go Figure!!! I am expecting a call from Volvo as I wrote then last week and the recipient email his team for some one to contact me. and I'll see if they can advise me as to next step before re-installing it. My gut tells me to empty the oil and refill. Time will tell but the overhaul PDF is greatly appreciated.
This forum being new to me causes me to hunt & peck to figure out how to post.....

 

[scottie]

Is there a spiral spline on the shaft with matching internal spiral in the cone
you can’t push the cone up the spiral unless it’s rotating which also drives the cone home
same principle used in all Penta gearboxes and out drive of that era

 

[Leegva]

Is there a spiral spline on the shaft with matching internal spiral in the cone
you can’t push the cone up the spiral unless it’s rotating which also drives the cone home
same principle used in all Penta gearboxes and out drive of that era

Thanks for the info. The splines are straight. I'll still have to spin it slightly to line it up.