Trim fluid found in bilge - 2008 VP 3.0GL with sx-a

[fir.na.tin]

I have had this boat for a season, and I have routinely noted the trim fluid being low. I find it in the bilge after it has sat for awhile. It has not had the pump rebuilt, it is the original style, but has a reservoir on the port side of the engine, near the bow. I do not see it leaking outside the boat when I run the drive up and down, and cannot find where it could be leaking from. Any suggestions of where I might find the leak?

 

[Bondo]

I have had this boat for a season, and I have routinely noted the trim fluid being low. I find it in the bilge after it has sat for awhile. It has not had the pump rebuilt, it is the original style, but has a reservoir on the port side of the engine, near the bow. I do not see it leaking outside the boat when I run the drive up and down, and cannot find where it could be leaking from. Any suggestions of where I might find the leak?

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... 'bout the Only way to find a leak, is Look,....

Start at the pump/ resv, 'n rub yer hand over/ under everything,...
When yer hand gets oil on it, yer gettin' close,...
Move Up from there, 'n you'll no doubt find the leak,....

 

[fir.na.tin]

I followed the lines from the reservoir and could not find any oil or wetness. Just wondering if there might be something I miss. My next trial and error will be to put paper towels around the fittings and then run the drive up and down to see if it appears then....

 

[Bondo]

I followed the lines from the reservoir and could not find any oil or wetness. Just wondering if there might be something I miss. My next trial and error will be to put paper towels around the fittings and then run the drive up and down to see if it appears then....

Ayuh,.... Baby powder sometimes helps,...

 

[Fun Times]

Hi there, being you have an SX-A stern drive, I believe your trim pump system is going to be on the outside of the boat next to the U-joint bellows, etc..

Should look something like this, http://www.volvopentastore.com/Trim-Pump-Kit/dm/store_id.366--view_id.775576 or theses, http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=volvo+penta+sx-a+trim+pump+problems&FORM=HDRSC2

If so, Volvo had some leaking problems but eventually came up with a solution. http://forum.chaparralboats.com/index.php?showtopic=19372

Do you have a photo of the pump that keeps going low?

 

[dypcdiver]

I can't get my head round this, as the SX-A only has a external pump and reservoir on the trim system. Only thing that comes into the boat is the electrical power cable. Other possible source of what might be hydraulic fluid is the power steering system.

"but has a reservoir on the port side of the engine, near the bow"
I think there is a clue there!!

 

[Thalasso]

I can't get my head round this, as the SX-A only has a external pump and reservoir on the trim system. Only thing that comes into the boat is the electrical power cable. Other possible source of what might be hydraulic fluid is the power steering system.

"but has a reservoir on the port side of the engine, near the bow"
I think there is a clue there!!

Good catch.

 

[skydiveD30571]

My power steering pump came with the same red PS fluid as the trim pump. I could see how that mistake (thinking a PS leak is a trim leak) could be made.

 

[fir.na.tin]

Yes - it is the power steering. I thought about this while I was on Vacation, and realized that I had thought it was the trim at the time I posted. :facepalm:

 

[Bondo]

Yes - it is the power steering. I thought about this while I was on Vacation, and realized that I had thought it was the trim at the time I posted. :facepalm:

Ayuh,.... If yer chasin' a P/S leak, the plumbin' runs,....

The Hi-pressure line, outa the back of the pump, runs to the steerin' rack on the transom, where the steerin' cable meets the outdrive tiller arm,.....

The low-pressure return, runs from the rack on the transom, to the P/S Cooler, which is usually in the in-comin' raw water line, 'n back to the low-pressure port on the pump,...