Volvo Saildrive Rubber Gromit thingy..

[richardbrennan]

Had mine changed after 8 years. There was no sign of the seal failing and letting the ocean in, but it also acts as the gasket between the various channels in the leg and there was evidence of cooling water creeping towards the drive section containing the lubricating oil. The ball park figure of £1000 for a Volvo Agent is about right. Mine was done for slightly less by Motortech in Gosport and a friend had his done for much the same by RK Marine on the Hamble. However, I was quoted £500 by an independent mechanic, the bits themselves, as with all Volvo parts, are quite expensive!

 

[Cantata]

........ However, I was quoted £500 by an independent mechanic, the bits themselves, as with all Volvo parts, are quite expensive!

The parts kit was less than £150, 2 years ago from Keypart. However I had heard of engineers charging £250 for the parts as part of a complete job.

 

[Sanderling_]

Doug,

I would concur that at 11 years old you probably ought to get it done for your own peace of mind but I am sure that you will find that the old one shows no sign of decay.

You do not need to use a volvo agent, suggest that you speak to Gavin at MBBH, he has always been very fair with labour costs.

Saying that, I have changed a couple over the years myself, the second time it was much easier as I had learned that you do not need to disconnect that much off the engine to allow it to move forward enough. You will need someone else to assist you to lift the SD out and back in again and to realign the gearbox back with the engine.

Just remembered, you only have limited access to the saildrive through that small access hatch in your aft cabin and I am not sure that you can actually get it out without a chainsaw, the side panels are fixed. I remember thinking that this was not a job I wanted to do on my B31!! - sorry.

The parts themselves are fairly expensive and the labour cost is going to be best part of a day for two people.

Tony

 

[photodog]

Doug,


Just remembered, you only have limited access to the saildrive through that small access hatch in your aft cabin and I am not sure that you can actually get it out without a chainsaw, the side panels are fixed. I remember thinking that this was not a job I wanted to do on my B31!! - sorry.


Tony

Hmmm.. I wonder if yours was a bit different from mine....I was looking at that and thinking access wasnt that bad.... but I dont know how much access is needed...

The panel in the aft cabin adjacent to the entrance is quite large.... and I can remove the paneling aft in the berth as well as lift up the berth base as well...

Chain saw= disconcerting...

 

[SimbaDog]

Well the good news is that your boatie was still afloat about an hour ago

 

[photodog]

Well the good news is that your boatie was still afloat about an hour ago

I am concerned that the moss growing may capsize her...

Does she look ok overall?? I am feeling particularly guilty about not getting down...

 

[SimbaDog]

Looks fine, but has a bit of a green tinge
All the bits of string & plastic ball thingies are OK.
Keels probably dropped off though

 

[photodog]

Looks fine, but has a bit of a green tinge
All the bits of string & plastic ball thingies are OK.
Keels probably dropped off though

Good... now the only thing I have to worry about is the dehumidifier catching fire....

The stress is killing me..

 

[SimbaDog]

Good... now the only thing I have to worry about is the dehumidifier catching fire....

The stress is killing me..

Oh, I presumed you had decided to tint the cabin windows black!.......

 

[Sanderling_]

The panel in the aft cabin adjacent to the entrance is quite large.... and I can remove the paneling aft in the berth as well as lift up the berth base as well...

QUOTE]

In that case you shall probably be able to do the job between tides then!!

 

[photodog]

The panel in the aft cabin adjacent to the entrance is quite large.... and I can remove the paneling aft in the berth as well as lift up the berth base as well...

QUOTE]

In that case you shall probably be able to do the job between tides then!!

That has me even more worried!!