VP D3-SX gear problem

[BartW]

on one engine there is small delay between moving the lever,
and switching "in gear"

delay is about 1 second, sometimes it is more, 2 - 3 seconds,
on the other engine its less then 0.5secs, like before.

the lever and cable move normal and seems OK,

this problem came sinds last winter service, new drive oil, ....
any idea whats wrong ?

 

[scubaman]

on one engine there is small delay between moving the lever,
and switching "in gear"

delay is about 1 second, sometimes it is more, 2 - 3 seconds,
on the other engine its less then 0.5secs, like before.

the lever and cable move normal and seems OK,

this problem came sinds last winter service, new drive oil, ....
any idea whats wrong ?

I assume your boat has ourdrives? Is it possible that water has gotten into the leg? We had this once on our old DP290 leg; the oil filler cap/screw was left loose after an oil change and the leg was pretty much filled with water. I noticed it from a lag in switching into gear.

 

[stelican]

on one engine there is small delay between moving the lever,
and switching "in gear"

delay is about 1 second, sometimes it is more, 2 - 3 seconds,
on the other engine its less then 0.5secs, like before.

the lever and cable move normal and seems OK,

this problem came sinds last winter service, new drive oil, ....
any idea whats wrong ?

I dont know if your drive has a cone clutch but too much oil in these will make for slow gear engagement

 

[BartW]

I dont know if your drive has a cone clutch but too much oil in these will make for slow gear engagement

here's what the brochure says:

Smooth shifting and exceptional durability with patented cone clutch

but indeed it could be something to do with the oil,
as we noticed the problem since the last oil change
how can there be too much oil in this gearbox, doesnt it need to be full ?

The Volgo engineer mentioned about wear on this cone, is this normal after 500hrs running ? He will come and have a look on wednesday,
but any advice is welcome

thanks for the tips

 

[BartW]

I assume your boat has ourdrives? Is it possible that water has gotten into the leg?

thats another thing we have to check

 

[GrahamHR]

here's what the brochure says:

but indeed it could be something to do with the oil,
as we noticed the problem since the last oil change
how can there be too much oil in this gearbox, doesnt it need to be full ?

Bart,

On the SX/ DPS the oil level needs to be somewhere on the flat area of the dipstick. The actual gearbox capacity is higher than that level, presumably too mich oil causes internal pressure issues as it heats up.

Graham

 

[BartW]

oil level needs to be somewhere on the flat area of te dipstick. The actual gearbox capacity is higher than that level, presumably too mich oil causes internal pressure issues as it heats up.

Graham

thats good advice, will certainly check that,
thanks !

 

[BartW]

After inspection we discovered that the gaerboxes had too much oil in them,
done by Volvo at the winter service,
The Volvo engineer came to the boat, pumped out the oil until correct level (from both drives) But this didn’t cure the problem.

Then the boat went to Volvo (on the trailer) where they took the leg appart, and replaced a brass cone clutch in the upper gearbox

A few day's later we tested, and the problem was gone.
I could see a tiny bit of wear on the old cone clutch

Now a week later I have EXACTLY the same problem on the OTHER drive,
This drive has now done 15hours more then the first, on a total of 550Hrs running time, (since the boat is new)
It seems that Volvo has a very consistent manufacturing process, if this is caused by normal wear

I'm intrigued that both legs have been running about 20hrs with too much oil in them, (since winter service)
Could this be the cause of this extra wear ?
its part nr8 on the drawing

by the way,
Yesterday I have passed my Yachtmaster exams, after 4day's practical training in a Belgium RYA school
The examinator came over from UK (Kent), and say'd that I was good, who am I to discuss about that ?

 

[colliemcc]

I had the same problem last year and it turned out to be water in the oil too.
I was thinking I may have to change the cone clutch as well if you dont mind me asking did it cost much to have the one replaced.
Colm

 

[MapisM]

After inspection we discovered that the gaerboxes had too much oil in them

I'm not sure to understand what that means.
I'm talking more on the basis of Merc rather than VP experience, but shouldn't the gearbox case be completely filled with oil?

 

[colliemcc]

no the Vp have a dip stick in the top of the drive that has a marker on it for the oil to sit at.
whereas I think the Merc Crus have a filler bottle in the boat that remains full thus keepin the drive full of oil as you as.

 

[BartW]

no the Vp have a dip stick in the top of the drive that has a marker on it for the oil to sit at.
whereas I think the Merc Crus have a filler bottle in the boat that remains full thus keepin the drive full of oil as you as.

exactly,

I have'nt got the invoice on the repair yet,
on the Marine parts site, price is 500euro just for one brass cone
so I 'am prepared when I will be opening that envelope
will let you know.

 

[MapisM]

no the Vp have a dip stick in the top of the drive that has a marker on it for the oil to sit at.

Interesting, thanks.
Though I must say that I'm at a loss in trying to understand why they didn't go the full oil immersion route as Merc. Seems more logical for an outdrive. Btw, the Alpha doesn't have the filler bottle inside (whilst the Bravo does), but it's filled up anyway.

@ Bart: good luck! These are the joys of owning two problems instead of one...

 

[mnm-jkk]

I had the same issue a few years back on DP-E drives, same hours as well,
as I recall the engineer who opened them up reported that he just had to lightly sand paper the cones to remove the polished surface.
After that the gears engaged normally again, with the characteristic thud.

 

[AndieMac]

@ Bart: good luck! These are the joys of owning two problems instead of one...

They are maybe a few peeps on here thinking the same thing

 

[AndieMac]

Btw, the Alpha doesn't have the filler bottle inside (whilst the Bravo does), but it's filled up anyway.

The early Alpha's didn't have external bottles as standard, but many boaters fitted the large cylindical Merc. produced options, especially if moored, to keep an eye on the state of the oil.
Since Alpha Gen 2, (and early efi packages afaik), the small square leg oil reservoir sits on the upper, forward/slightly portside of the engine.

 

[BartW]

Since Alpha Gen 2, (and early efi packages afaik), the small square leg oil reservoir sits on the upper, forward/slightly portside of the engine.

can confirm that, had two boats with that reservoir/alpha gen 2, in the past


got my invoice for the repair of the first VP SX leg
the brass cone was only 360euro or something like that,
but alle the sealings, O-rings, labour on location, ...

still intrigued if this problem is caused by the overfill of the oil
would be very glad if somebody could confirm or could give advice on this,

 

[Fmicol]

Hello Bart,

i think i got the same pb when the drive is very hot,about one hour driving at 3000Rpm....when it's again cold no pb!!please let me know wich was the issue?

 

[BartW]

Hello Bart,

i think i got the same pb when the drive is very hot,about one hour driving at 3000Rpm....when it's again cold no pb!!please let me know wich was the issue?

for me this has never been cleared completely
at that time I suspected the overfilling of the leg oil, and or some wear on the brass cone was the cause for the delayed activation,
some months later I had a major repair on both legs (caused by a hit of a rock by the skeg)
the service center discovered a very small bending of one prop shaft, which caused wear in the shaft housing, so a complete replacement of that leg was needed,
the other leg, they gave it a thorrow inspection, and full service, (all paid from Insurance)

but still now, that old leg has a little delayed action of going in - out gear (not bad enough to have it serviced)
so that leg is still not running perfectly

In your case,
I would check oil level (dipstick is on the screw on top of the leg housing)
and replace leg oil by new

if then still not OK, you'll need to bring her to VP service

 

[BartW]

Hello Bart,

i think i got the same pb when the drive is very hot,about one hour driving at 3000Rpm....when it's again cold no pb!!please let me know wich was the issue?

Francois, gladd to hear that you still do lots of fishing from your Karnic
re your invitation, thanks for that, but
for the time being I have not planned to stay in SOF this season, perhaps one visit in may to Casis, but thats too far from Nice ;-)
best rgds