Volvo Saildrive

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Ian_Rob

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I have just had the saildrive seal replaced on my boat. Having just received the invoice there is an item in the breakdown to 'prepare and paint badly corroded "sandwich" plate on sail drive'.

What is this and would you expect it to be corroded on a 7 year old boat? Is preparing and painting a 'badly corroded' part that is not going to be looked at again for 7 years, sufficient?
 
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My guess is that it's the metal ring which clamps down on the outer edge of the seal. I believe it's quite common for them to rust.

Assuming it wasn't too far gone, prepping and painting it sounds reasonable.

Pete
 
Thanks Pete/Nigel - that's reassuring. The engineers are Volvo dealer so they should know but I would have preferred to have been asked if I wanted the part replacing.
 
I may be out of kilter, but isn't the replacement period ten years?

Was there a specific reason to change it at seven?

Opinions sought!

Tony.
 
When i discussed with a Volvo dealer ( before doing myself) they advised me to look carefully at the clamping ring as it could deteriorate quite quickly.It seems it is quite expensive for what it is so they may have saved you a few bob by painting. At least they bothered to do it which would give me some confidence in their quality
 
When I bought my boat 14 years ago when it was two years old, one of the things thrown up by the survey was that the clamping ring was corroded. It was taken off and epoxied and it was fine with no further problems up until two years ago when I re-engined. Makes you wonder how durable the original finish was though!
 
I recon volvo engineers make a fortune out of replacing these every 7 years. Replaced mine after 14 years and wonder why I bothered...it was perfect.
 
Ricd said:
I recon volvo engineers make a fortune out of replacing these every 7 years. Replaced mine after 14 years and wonder why I bothered...it was perfect.
Click to expand...

Spot on, cash creation scheme! I replaced mine at 18 years, the one I took off was as good as the new one.

As for the clamping ring, very good that they refurbished it, I would not have been surprised if a Volvo dealer had not tried to sell you a new one.
 
Ours changed a couple of years ago on 1995 boat so about 17 years old after paranoia over not doing it.

Won't be doing if again before 2030!

I reckon the new one will out last the engine!
 
xyachtdave said:
Ours changed a couple of years ago on 1995 boat so about 17 years old after paranoia over not doing it.

Won't be doing if again before 2030!

I reckon the new one will out last the engine!
Click to expand...

I have never heard of one failing and certainly it would never be a catastrophic failure, it would leak first.
 
I have just replaced mine after 14 years. The rubber seal seemed as good as new. The metal ring had some pitted corrosion which may have been electrolysis so it was good to examine that in detail. Also took the opportunity to paint the engine bilge and happy to have done the job. The new seal should last as long as myself...
 
Unfortunately, it is 7 years. Having sent the dealer an exploded diagram of the saildrive - which they have just marked-up and sent back - the part that is corroded is the top of the leg/gear housing [attached]. They advise that it is normal corrosion but I suspect that there may be a bit of electrolysis involved? What is the best way of checking this?
 

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Ian, IIRC that part is actually under water. I too had to repaint this area on mine, but when I did another sail drive on a friends boat it was perfect.

Volvo will say 7 years, I actually thought they had increased it to 10 though. The reason they will put a low time on replacement is because, and a big, IF one did fail and a boat was lost, they may face libility. Just remember these products are sold in the USA, you can just imagine!

When I did some Google research I never found any evidence of a sail drive gaiter ever failing. But this is no criticsm of your decision to chage yours.
 
Hi Ian, had to paint my plate as well. they are bit tricky as a bit thin and you don't want to get to much paint on edges as this could compromise the sealing. also mine did have signs of corrosion but nothing that I would be concerned with. also my seal was twenty years old and put side by side with new one only the date stamp gave them away. also changed the clamp ring as mine was corroded volvo wanted about £250 but got a perfect second hand one for £50.


Dave
 
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