VP SX-M Water Intrusion AKA water in outdrive

[buckeroo]

Boat info:
Larson 190 LXI
Currently second owner.
Approx 338 hrs. total usage
2002 4.3 GL-A 4012069029
Transom Assm. TSK SX-M 3868844
Stern Drive: SX-M
Ratio 1.79
Prod. No. 3868893

During my yearly maintenance I discovered approx. 4 oz.
of water in my outdrive oil. Obviously not good.

Since the outdrive was off the transom and on my
homemade stand,(thanks to all the designers here),
I separated the upper and the lower units from each other.

I replaced the 2 obvious O-Rings on the lower unit per
the manual,(again thanks Don for the manuals),set up a
low pressure test and had pressure loss within 30
seconds.

Seeing that I broke out the soapy water and sprayed the
entire outdrive and then tried to repressurize the
outdrive to 3-5 psi.

During that attempt of pressurization the prop shaft and
seal resembled the "Lawrence Welk Bubble Machine".

With this being the obvious leak of oil and intrusion of
water into the outdrive, is this a DIY repair?

The only part of this repair which seems to be
problematic is setting the prop shaft seal without VP's
special tool.

Please correct me if I'm in error or if there is a
better DIY procedure to repair this lower unit prop shaft seal.

Any or all comments are welcome.
I'm here to learn more.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: VP SX-M Water Intrusion AKA water in outdrive

Lower unit seal replacement pt 3 of 3 - unit 2 removal and installation - YouTube Try this??
Or lower unit shaft seal replacement on u-tube.
Not an job for a novice. Someone real handy can do it.
Just remember don't score any sealing surfaces.

The video is on a Yamaha. Your drive will be different. Just take your time and go easy and ask questions if you have trouble.

 

[Don S]

Re: VP SX-M Water Intrusion AKA water in outdrive

The video is on a Yamaha. Your drive will be different. Just take your time and go easy and ask questions if you have trouble.

That video isn't even close on how to do an SX prop shaft seal.
Without the special tools, and proper measurements of the carrier before removing, you can not replace the seal and get it back together with the proper rolling torque.

 

[buckeroo]

Re: VP SX-M Water Intrusion AKA water in outdrive

Thanks jerryjerry05 and Don S. for the replies.

Watched that Youtube video but not sure I'd attempt that even if I had a Yamaha.

As Don stated the bearing carrier removal is totally different and yes Don reinserting the prop seal with the
proper tool was one of my main concerns along with the rolling torque procedure.

So I guess it's time to let the Volvo shop have it and do it properly.

One additional question is since this is an 11 year old outdrive, would it just be better to have all the seals
replaced?

Guess that would be just for peace of mind and how full the wallet is.

 

[Don S]

Re: VP SX-M Water Intrusion AKA water in outdrive

There are only two other seals that could give you problems, that's the input shaft seal (oil in the bellows) or the shift mechanism seal. on the back of the upper. Personally, if they aren't leaking, leave them alone. But don't let the bellows fail, that is expensive. It only takes about 15 to 20 minutes to replace the bellows once the drive is off. Really easy job on that drive.

 

[buckeroo]

Re: VP SX-M Water Intrusion AKA water in outdrive

Just as an update I refilled the outdrive with Volvo synthetic gear oil prior to taking the outdrive unit to the shop.
It took 3 weeks to get it in. (AKA when they could look at it)
Thinking it would be better with oil in it rather then nothing for the bearings to start to rust with air.
Was this right or just a waste of good synthetic oil?
Learning as we go along with this.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: VP SX-M Water Intrusion AKA water in outdrive

ANY oil is better than none.J