Volvo saildrive oil change?

[xyachtdave]

They are on the prop shaft and stop oil getting out and water getting in. I don't think they are a routine service item. I've had them fail twice although the second time it was because they caused a groove in the prop shaft which is a relatively common problem especially if you motor in sandy or muddy water.

Thanks Dipper, I don't have any issues with oil disappearing from the saildrive or water in the oil.

Won't be fixing that if it isn't broken!

 

[RichardS]

What are these seals that need changing and how difficult?

I do my oil yearly as it only takes an hour and isn't expensive but hadn't realised they were was anything else that should be replaced. Oil looks good when drained and I've had the boat (1995 manufacture) for 12 years.

It's a 120s sail drive.

There are two sets of seals with saildrives ignoring the hull seal on the outside of the hull which does not really seal. One is the large seal which seals the saildrive to the hull which is at the top of the leg. This usually has a manufacturers replacement period of 7 - 10 years but probably lasts more like 20 or 30 years.

The second is/are the two seals on the prop shaft at the bottom of the saildrive. The Yanmar recommended change period for the two seals, one to keep the water out and the other to keep the oil in, is 2 years but they usually last around 5 years but may last even longer, although these are much easier to replace than the upper hull seal/gaiter.

There are other internal seals in saildrives but these are not classed as consumable items.

Richard

 

[xyachtdave]

There are two sets of seals with saildrives ignoring the hull seal on the outside of the hull which does not really seal. One is the large seal which seals the saildrive to the hull which is at the top of the leg. This usually has a manufacturers replacement period of 7 - 10 years but probably lasts more like 20 or 30 years.

The second is/are the two seals on the prop shaft at the bottom of the saildrive. The Yanmar recommended change period for the two seals, one to keep the water out and the other to keep the oil in, is 2 years but they usually last around 5 years but may last even longer, although these are much easier to replace than the upper hull seal/gaiter.

There are other internal seals in saildrives but these are not classed as consumable items.

Richard

Thanks Richard, I've done the rubber to the hull and won't be rushing to do it again anytime soon!