.
I have had the same quandry - in fact it was when my Volvo was brand new and the oil had been inserted by the Volvo dealer, so apparently the correct volume. I understand there can be a bit of air lock in there (at the top?) which comes and goes sometimes when dip stick is used, or sailing, or more likely at am oil change - so that the oil level can be a bit ambiguous.
Indeed, see my post #4.
Why is the dipstick not calibrated to allow for the expansionIndeed, see my post #4.
Every engine/gearbox/differential/hydraulic pump/coolant system etc that I own is always kept topped up to the "maximum" mark, apart from my two sail-drives, which are always on the "minimum" mark.
The principle has been discussed on here several times over the years.
Richard
Carefully with a drinking straw!
It's a good point. I think that the answer is that Yanmar, and possibly other sail-drive manufacturers, state that the seal must be changed every two years. In that sense, the seals are always virtually brand new and the springs are tight and the rubber is supple. In that state, they can withstand the higher pressure/vacuum cycle.
It's a good point. I think that the answer is that Yanmar, and possibly other sail-drive manufacturers, state that the seal must be changed every two years. In that sense, the seals are always virtually brand new and the springs are tight and the rubber is supple. In that state, they can withstand the higher pressure/vacuum cycle.
However, who really wants to change these seals so often? The answer is to lower the pressure/vacuum range as much as possible, consistent with keeping sufficient oil in the sail-drive to ensure that it is always well lubricated. The minimum mark is obviously that mark and this should extend the usable life of the seals to four or five years or even longer.
Sheer luck and other operating conditions will obviously play a big part in how long the seals actually last, but why not load the dice in your favour as much as possible if there is no downside.
Richard
I'm not sure whether you are agreeing or disagreeing with me.
I'm not sure whether you are agreeing or disagreeing with me.
If you are disagreeing, then you have missed the point, but please feel free to keep filling your sail-drive to the maximum mark if that is your preference.
Richard
You're stating the facts that you know about. I'm stating the facts that I know about which are in my Yanmar sail-drive manual.I was neither agreeing nor disagreeing with you, Richard. That's a futile and pointless endeavour as you're always right (including the times when you do a 180) and always like the last word
I was merely stating facts.
You're stating the facts that you know about. I'm stating the facts that I know about which are in my Yanmar sail-drive manual.
Richard
Volvo will, almost certainly, simply quote from the manual as manufacturers are normally only interested in covering their backsides.Thank you all for the cracking advice - especially the advice that meant I could leave the "big guns" Pela at home and grab from my epoxy gear a syringe and a bit of fuel hose I had laying around.
This worked perfectly, and got us just inside the H mark (before the boy managed to pull the end of the syringe off and get oil everywhere - the perils of educating the next generation! The first mate was not best pleased!)
On the issue of not setting the saildrive to the H mark, I'll see if I can get a comment from VP directly to see what they advise. Originally these were specced to run on hydraulic oil as opposed to engine oil. Does engine oil expand more perhaps?
