Correcting Tilt Indicator on AQ290DP

[KnottyBuoyz]

Hey Volvo Penta guys.<br /><br />Do you have any info on how to adjust the tilt indicator on a VP AQ290DP? Mines out of whack and I have no idea how to get it set up correctly. The drawings and instructions in the Seloc manual don't match my equipment. Many thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Correcting Tilt Indicator on AQ290DP

Could you describe what you have? Volvo is pretty vague about it also.<br />Round, square display, digital or not, do you have a specific problem (too low, or too high) not reading or....... _____________ fill in the blank. (Not sure what "Out of Whack" means in your terminology.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: Correcting Tilt Indicator on AQ290DP

Hi Don<br /><br />I was hoping you'd reply. I've seen your posts to others and they were very helpful.<br /><br />1987 AQ290DP, square display, digital read out, range seems to be -5 to +50 with blinking indicators for full up and trimmed in. Fully trimmed in to transom is about 8 on the indicator and fully trimmed up +50, drive directly in line with the transom readout is 15, normal cruising on plane trimmed properly read out is 17-18.<br /><br />Sorry 'bout the Canadian slange. Out of whack (how I often refer to my ex-wife) means it isn't calibrated properly. My old boat, 92 Excel with VP outdrive had the round display was properly calibrated. Lights flashed as you approached full up or trimmed in towards the transom.<br /><br />Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: Correcting Tilt Indicator on AQ290DP

Trust me, "Out of Whack" is not just a Canadian term. While it's universal knowledge what "Out of Whack" means when refering to a wife, and is fixable by just throwing large amounts of money at it usually cures the problem, but when describing a problem with a boat it just doensn't give the detail needed to find the proper fix for a particular problem.<br />Since you are so far off, have you checked the gear and rack on the helmut? They can break or crack and cause strange readings. <br />You can take the little nylon screw out of the rivnut on the helmut rack and change the tooth the gear uses. Get a helper (the overpaid wife will do) to run the buttons up and down and read the gauge numbers to you.<br />The rack only adjusts the numbers within a couple of degrees. Then you have to go inside on the steering shaft and move the potentiometer to get the last degree or two of adjustment. you should see from -5° or -6° to +6° trim, then the red light will come on which shows beach mode on up to near 50°.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: Correcting Tilt Indicator on AQ290DP

Thanks Don<br /><br />I'll give it a shot when I unwrap the boat in a few weeks. Unseasonably warm today but I think Ole' Man Winter still has something in store for us. <br /><br />I just threatened to leave the overpaid wife at home this summer because she won't let me have a cannon for the boat. Any advice on that situation? hehehe<br /><br />Many thanks. Stay warm and afloat.

 

[Don S]

Re: Correcting Tilt Indicator on AQ290DP

Won't let you have a cannon for the boat <br /> <br />How can "Wimmen" be so un-reasonable

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Correcting Tilt Indicator on AQ290DP

On the 290DP I am getting real familiar with we have been shooting -7 on the indicator with the unit full down. Indications very sensitive at this range. As DON said, have someone watching the indicator. On the unit I work on the round gear is plastic with 3 sprial looking spokes, 2 of them had broken from age. Round gear can be replaced easy enough but I believe we had the steering helmet off. Gear is on a metal shaft which pulls down from the sending transducer, I believe just held in by an O ring on the shaft. <br /> The plastic screw on the rack is secured by a plastic nut held semi captive in a bore under the helmet. You can put some gook on your fingertip to catch it if it wants to fall out when the screw is removed. Believe these are in stock items at VOLVO parts dealers. We do the adjustment by removing the screw, pushing the rack over slightly and rotating the gear. As I said, real sensitive in this range. Might end up close enough at -5 to -8. Believe -8 is the max. regards fred

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Correcting Tilt Indicator on AQ290DP

Thinking about it we did have the steering helmet off for clearance to pull the gear/shaft out. fred

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: Correcting Tilt Indicator on AQ290DP

Thanks Fred & Don<br /><br />I think I have a pretty good idea of what I'm getting myself into. I'll take some digital pics when I unwrap the boat in a few weeks. I don't have any documentation on the drive so I'm relying on your experience. <br /><br />I haven't had the guts to start tinkering with the outdrive. It all seems a mystery to me. I've rebuilt the engine, starter, alternator and rewired the boat but the outdrive is the most intimidating part of the whole running gear. <br /><br />I had the outdrive serviced professionally 3 years ago, is it time to have that done again? We're relying on the boat to get us around the Eastern Ontario loop (St. Lawrence, Ottawa and Rideau River) this summer.

 

[Don S]

Re: Correcting Tilt Indicator on AQ290DP

Those bellows should be replaced every other year. They just aren't as strong as the OMC or Mercruiser bellows, and if the get a hole in them, and you have to replace the intermediate bearing, that requires an engine pull.<br />The gear lube should also be changed EVERY year or 100 hours whichever comes first. Usually done at winterization so you can find problems like water in the gear lube without it sitting in the gears and bearings all winter. <br />Lots more to a boat than outdrive service every 3rd year.<br />You can download an owners manual at the site below.<br /><br /> http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/global/en-gb/marineengines/operators_manual/

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: Correcting Tilt Indicator on AQ290DP

Don<br /><br />You're amazing. You continue to astound me. I've looked high and low for the operator manual for the AQ271A.<br /><br />How would you like to adopt me and my boat?