VP Saildrive Leg Oil Question (again!)

[Spirit of Glenans]

Hi. I've being doing some research on my 130S-B drive leg, prior to tackling some service jobs. I would just like to get confirmation that the oil in the leg and the gearbox are one and the same and in that case, the little tube on the starboard side is for vacuum extraction of the oil.
(I am aware that VP now say that the ATF oil should be replaced with 15W-40 engine oil).

 

[VicS]

Hi. I've being doing some research on my 130S-B drive leg, prior to tackling some service jobs. I would just like to get confirmation that the oil in the leg and the gearbox are one and the same and in that case, the little tube on the starboard side is for vacuum extraction of the oil.
(I am aware that VP now say that the ATF oil should be replaced with 15W-40 engine oil).

Yes its all the same.

The little tube enables you to empty the upper gear box but to drain the whole lot you have to remove the drain plug on the lower gearbox.

Your engine owners manual should explain.

 

[Daydream believer]

(I am aware that VP now say that the ATF oil should be replaced with 15W-40 engine oil).

No- I think it is the other way round. Replace 15w40 with automatic transmission fluid. That is what Volspec has told me
I have tried sucking oil out from above but one needs to drain the last half litre from the plug.
Make sure you use a new washer every time you remove the plug.
This is important & has cost me over £ 300-00 this year alone because i used the wrong washer

 

[VicS]

No- I think it is the other way round. Replace 15w40 with automatic transmission fluid. That is what Volspec has told me

I think you may have misunderstood, unless they have changed it back again.

see this Service bulletin from VP http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/saildriveoilchange.pdf

 

[nigelmercier]

see this Service bulletin from VP http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/saildriveoilchange.pdf

There was another one on which the 120S was singled out. Personally I'm not sure what to do as I have a 130S (I think, no markings) but the original 120S gearbox.

 

[VicS]

There was another one on which the 120S was singled out. Personally I'm not sure what to do as I have a 130S (I think, no markings) but the original 120S gearbox.

Ah, having looked into it properly I see your quandary.

Your original SD was, I think, a 120S-E which is the only drive right though from 100S to the 150S range which does not now use engine oil. It uses a 75W-90 gear oil as it always has.
http://www.volvopenta.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Penta/Misc/drive_1_oil_rec_7745608.pdf


If thats right my first thoughts would be to use the 75W-90 oil The bottom end is only a bevell gear like a very simple outboard engine gear box and they all use a gear oil

There may be a good reason why a gear oil was used in that upper gear box. The E version was i believe fitted to the more powerful engines so gear loading may be such as to need the gear oil.

Dunno just guessing.

 

[Daydream believer]

I think you may have misunderstood, unless they have changed it back again.

see this Service bulletin from VP http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/saildriveoilchange.pdf

Volspec went out of their way to tell me to change to ATF. Although my saildrive was supplied in 2003
I think that as it has worked OK so far on 15W40 I will leave it at that. For one thing it saves on having 2 lots of oil aboard.

 

[VicS]

Volspec went out of their way to tell me to change to ATF. Although my saildrive was supplied in 2003
I think that as it has worked OK so far on 15W40 I will leave it at that. For one thing it saves on having 2 lots of oil aboard.

What drive is that ?
Apart for those mentioned in the service bulletin ( and the 120S-E ) they were engine oil.
From the date of the service bulletin (10/ 2010) i they should all be engine oil (except the 120S-E)

Now all shown in the chart in link in #6.

Not sure the reason for the change ... maybe because VP no longer sell ATF or so that they dont have to sell ATF ?????????

 

[nigelmercier]

If thats right my first thoughts would be to use the 75W-90 oil ... The E version was i believe fitted to the more powerful engines so gear loading may be such as to need the gear oil...

Yes, VP confirmed the difference was due to engine power.

I had the same thoughts as you, but it's good to hear it from someone more knowledgeable. Thank you.

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

Yes its all the same.

The little tube enables you to empty the upper gear box but to drain the whole lot you have to remove the drain plug on the lower gearbox.

Your engine owners manual should explain.

Thanks Vic. Think I need to download the manual