Hi Everyone
I have a Volvo Penta DP-SM drive coupled to a VP 57GSI PEFS motor with about 500 hours logged. For about two years now the boat has been back and forth to the shop with the same problem. The drive is losing oil, ie. the oil level is down, but on three of the four occasions it was inspected, there was no water in the oil. (By down, I mean no longer showing on the dipstick.)
The boat is in a slip so checking the oil level on a weekly basis is not possible. Typically it goes into the shop, they pressure test and vacuum test, pronounce everything OK and the leak reappears in three months.
How do I know its leaking? The first sign is oil on the water on startup. Usually not so bad, but recently a problem. Also, when raising or lowering the drive, without having run the engine, I can see oil on the water. Once the engine is warmed up it goes away completely.
The engine does not burn oil, nor are the trim cylinders leaking.
The oil leaks are quite small so it is only a few drops each time. Over time it obviously builds up to the point where the level is low.
The boat was hauled out last Monday for the latest leak. When the oil level was inspected at the shop there was a significant pressure release as the dipstick plug was removed, ie. the drive holds pressure but no oil on the dipstick. This is consistent with their pressure and vacuum testing. I believe it is a small leak at low pressure that is sealed as soon as any pressure is applied.
Has anyone any experience of this sort of problem, or can give any clues as to what to look for?
Despite all this I am on good terms with the shop. They are a VP repair shop and are competent. Needless to say I want to get it fixed.
Any experiences with this type of problem?
Thanks
I have a Volvo Penta DP-SM drive coupled to a VP 57GSI PEFS motor with about 500 hours logged. For about two years now the boat has been back and forth to the shop with the same problem. The drive is losing oil, ie. the oil level is down, but on three of the four occasions it was inspected, there was no water in the oil. (By down, I mean no longer showing on the dipstick.)
The boat is in a slip so checking the oil level on a weekly basis is not possible. Typically it goes into the shop, they pressure test and vacuum test, pronounce everything OK and the leak reappears in three months.
How do I know its leaking? The first sign is oil on the water on startup. Usually not so bad, but recently a problem. Also, when raising or lowering the drive, without having run the engine, I can see oil on the water. Once the engine is warmed up it goes away completely.
The engine does not burn oil, nor are the trim cylinders leaking.
The oil leaks are quite small so it is only a few drops each time. Over time it obviously builds up to the point where the level is low.
The boat was hauled out last Monday for the latest leak. When the oil level was inspected at the shop there was a significant pressure release as the dipstick plug was removed, ie. the drive holds pressure but no oil on the dipstick. This is consistent with their pressure and vacuum testing. I believe it is a small leak at low pressure that is sealed as soon as any pressure is applied.
Has anyone any experience of this sort of problem, or can give any clues as to what to look for?
Despite all this I am on good terms with the shop. They are a VP repair shop and are competent. Needless to say I want to get it fixed.
Any experiences with this type of problem?
Thanks
