What can cause engine coupler failure?

[Black Snow Slide]

VP 5.7 light vibration at lower RPM when turning port or starboard. When trimming the light vibration will go away. I thought it was the gamble bearing and u joints in my DP out drive. When the dealer pulled the drive he informed me that the coupler between the motor and out drive is toast. 1500$ to replace. With only 400 hours on the motor kinda surprised it needed replacement. Why would it go south? What does it do exactly? A google search have given me nothing. Seems like another strange problem that haunts this particular VP motor.

 

[Don S]

Re: What can cause engine coupler failure?

Lack of lubrication (no yearly greasing) and being out of alignment can both take out couplers in different ways. With both no grease and out of alignment, it takes very little running time to destroy a coupler.

Has the driver been pulled and the splines greased and the alignment checked yearly?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: What can cause engine coupler failure?

I know, improper alignment . . . engine versus outdrive

The 'fun' part is that the engine has to come out of the boat in order to replace it.

 

[Black Snow Slide]

Re: What can cause engine coupler failure?

The out drive is pulled by the dealer every year . I know I have never greased it. I have found my VP to cost 2-3 K per year in repair and schedule care and that's just motor and out drive.

 

[Don S]

Re: What can cause engine coupler failure?

The out drive is pulled by the dealer every year . I know I have never greased it. I have found my VP to cost 2-3 K per year in repair and schedule care and that's just motor and out drive.

This is where you have no idea what is going on. Did they check the alignment? If they did, did they just say good enough? Trust me I worked for a place where the owner thought close was good enough.
You need to start doing your own maintenance if you want to keep your money in your pocket. There isn't $2000 worth of parts needed. But the labor is killer when you want someone else to fix your toys.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: What can cause engine coupler failure?

I would like to know what you are spending $2k to $3k per year on.

 

[Black Snow Slide]

Re: What can cause engine coupler failure?

This past year's big expense was when the timing chain let go at 4k rpm. Another was the throtle assembly fell apart. Year before was the water serculating pump again. ( I am fresh water cooled with Preston's 50/50) the little hose from the grease fitting on the out drive to the fumble came off and water entered threw the fitting and my 2nd gimbal bearing needed replacing. There was an alternator in there as well. Not really complaining but it just seems like a lot of issues for a boat that is pampered and well maintained.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: What can cause engine coupler failure?

Well, engine issues are not really a Volvo specific issue. Could happen with any drive manufacturer.