Drive Oil in Bellows !? VP SX drive

[mattb1974]

Hi, recently pulled my SX drive for winter storage. I found Drive Oil in the bellows. Leaky seal? ...or something else?

Boat is new to me. Drive oil level was about an inch and a half above the full mark on the dipstick, oil was checked with the drive level and cold. It was last serviced by previous owner.

The oil is transparent green with no signs of water. Bellows looks new, gimbal bearing good and greased, no signs of rust. U joints look new, no signs of rust.

My question is, do you think I have a leaky seal that needs to be adressed or did the leak occur because of being overfilled?

Volvo Penta SX-C2 drive
1998 5.0GI PBYCEE

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive Oil in Bellows !? VP SX drive

Sounds like you have Mercruiser Hi performance gear lube in your drive by the color. Not a problem, it works fine in those drives.
You do have a leaky input shaft seal on the drive. It does need to be fixed.
To replace the seal, will also requier a new thrust sleeve between the bearings and a new screw, plus resetting the rolling torque.
If you don't have the tools (dial inch lb. torque wrench) and the manual. Best find a dealer to do the job.

 

[mattb1974]

Re: Drive Oil in Bellows !? VP SX drive

Sounds like you have Mercruiser Hi performance gear lube in your drive by the color. Not a problem, it works fine in those drives.
You do have a leaky input shaft seal on the drive. It does need to be fixed.
To replace the seal, will also requier a new thrust sleeve between the bearings and a new screw, plus resetting the rolling torque.
If you don't have the tools (dial inch lb. torque wrench) and the manual. Best find a dealer to do the job.

Thanks Don, Not what I wanted to hear but that is what I expected. Will call dealer for an estimate.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Drive Oil in Bellows !? VP SX drive

Just so ya' know, overfilling your drive can cause oil to be forced thru thaat upper seal. You should probably pressure test that drive before you take it to the dealer.

 

[PRW]

Re: Drive Oil in Bellows !? VP SX drive

Just so ya' know, overfilling your drive can cause oil to be forced thru thaat upper seal. You should probably pressure test that drive before you take it to the dealer.

Is that only on VP drives or does that apply to Merc drives as well?

-Patrick