Saildrive oil leak

[Jim Cook]

I'm following up on my previous post. I can't seem to find it in the archives. You folks suggested that I check my oil for water because some seals may need to be replaced.I went out the other night. The transmission oil dipstick shows slight milkiness.When I replaced the saildrive, I did replace an O-ring between the saildrive and the transmission. How many seals are in a Volvo S110 saildrive and transmission? I cleaned out a white jelly compound from the transmission when I had it off the boat. My local mechanic said it was probably an oil/water mixture resulting from the saildrive disintegration. I couldn't find any way to take the transmission apart, so I cleaned it out as best I could (top and bottom), but couldn't get inside. Is it likely that the slight milky appearance could be from residue that I couldn't get to, but has difused through the new oil?Is there a way to drain the oil without hauling the boat and pulling the unit? I couldn't find any type of drain plug. I can vacuum some from the top, but I can't get very much.Thanks, for your assistance.Jim Cook,"Dream Chaser", 1974 O'Day 27

 

[Clive Roberts]

Saildrive oil

Your saildrive will have a threaded port at the bottom (boat has to be out of the water to see it) - that has to be opened to drain the drive. You can buy new ports (it has a gasket) and if you're lucky that will be the source of the water leak into the oil.There is of course a seal around the shaft and that may need to be replaced; a volvo shop will tell you the recommended interval for this. I expect Volvo will say every 5 years. (Mine's 20 years old)Sounds to me (as another volvo saildrive owner) like you definitely need to haul your boat and look at the state of this saildrive. They do need overhauling periodically. They definitely need good electrolysis protection to be maintained.Good luck!