Vire 7 transmission problems

[Paul Thurlow]

My 1976 O'Day with a Westerbeke Vire 7 engine developed a problem in the recent past. After motoring for an hour or so we returned to our slip and proceeded to run into the dock because reverse gear didn't work. I thought the linkage had come loose so I opened the hatch and a mustard colored ooze was running out on the engine from in front of the water pump (emulsified gear oil from the transmission). Anyone have any ideas? I called Hansen Marine who have all the parts for the engine but have had mixed messages from their tech people and parts department on the nature of the problem and a cure.

 

[Rick]

About that OOZE!

Paul,I Have the same engine and the same oozing (emulsified gear oil) problem. I had better luck w/ Hansen with a over the phone diagnosis. They told me it was most likely leaky gear box seals. There are three seals to my knowledge. Part # 15850 (1 each) and part # 18262 (2 each). I found the problem this spring and decided to put an outboard on the transom for propulsion and use the inboard (neutral only!!) to charge the batteries. The Vire 7 will be pulled this fall and I plan to completly go through it and rebuild what's needed.Hope this Helps,Rick"Tiny Dancer"

 

[Paul Thurlow]

Hansen marine tech answer

Rick, Hansen tech person indicated to me I needed to replace two seals in the water pump to fix the problem of water getting into the transmission, but that I only needed one seal on the output shaft not the one's you indicated in your message. Thanks for your quick answer to the problem! What do you think?

 

[Rick]

Re: Hansen

Paul,I'd go with what Hansen feels is the correct soulution. They know these motors pretty well and I'll bet you (and I) are not the first to call w/ this same scenario re: the "OOZE". Best of luck. Let me know how you make out w/ the rebuild process when you get a chance. My e-mail is: RLeger@gis.netThanks, Rick"Tiny Dancer"

 

[Bob]

Water in Transmission

Water is entering your transmission via the water pump housing seal. The spline shaft that drives your impeller from the transmission passes through a seal in the transmission case.Pull the water pump housing and remove the impeller. You may be able to remove the seal without taking out the transmission, I'm not sure because I had already removed my engine andtransmission to rebuild them (this was on my last boat, a C C 25).A replacement seal is available from Hansen Marine in Marblehead, MA. Tap in the new seal, replace your impeller, and that should do it.If you don't make this repair, what will happen is the pressure in the water pump will continue to force water into the transmission displacing your gear oil through the top vent and into your bilge ...STINKEROO! and quite a nasty mess to clean up.I'm trying to locate a copy of my old Vire 7 maintenance manual. If you need a copy, e-mail me (outhaul@yahoo.com) and I'll put you on my list to mail you one. Good luck.Cheers,Bob