Volvo Penta SX-C1 Trim Fluid Leak

rkilpa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
86
1997 Volvo Penta 4.3GL with SX-C1 outdrive.

Boat is used about once a month and garaged at vacation house when not in use.

After returning to my boat after about a month of sitting, I noticed a small puddle of red trim/tilt fluid on the garage floor under one of my trim rams. Maybe a couple of teaspoonfuls, if that. I didn't remove the endcap where the fluid was coming from to see if the fittings were loose, but I assumed there was an O-ring seal on the end of the line that has aged and needed to be replaced.

Seeing that the amount of fluid was insignificant to the 54 ounce capacity of the system and the family was eager to get on the water, I took the boat out for a day trip with no problems.

After returning a month later with the boat sitting again, there was no fluid leak present at all.

I use the boat on a river and it is possible that I went over a sandbar on the outing prior to the discovery of the leak. Would that cause an over-pressure situation in the system that worked its way out the next time I used the boat? Has anyone had a similar experience where a leak fixed itself?
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,095
Re: Volvo Penta SX-C1 Trim Fluid Leak

Has anyone had a similar experience where a leak fixed itself?

Nope,... The odds are Slim, to None...

Did you check the reservoir for water contamination,..??
 

Tail_Gunner

Admiral
Joined
Jan 13, 2006
Messages
6,237
Re: Volvo Penta SX-C1 Trim Fluid Leak

If you find your cylinders are leaking due to seal failure and not phyiscal damage to the cylinder..They are easily repairable
 
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