1985 Volvo Penta AQ270 Oil in Bellows

[Frankog99]

Purchased a boat last winter, and I am still going thru it. I have a Volvo Penta AQ125B engine with AQ270 outdrive. I went to replace the Drive bellows today and the bellows are full of oil. not sure if this is normal or not(Doesn't seem right) as I am new to the I/O world. Thank you much for all of your help with this project. Frank

 

[55evinrude]

Re: 1985 Volvo Penta AQ270 Oil in Bellows

welcome aboard!

No oil in the bellows is not normal, I am no expert on the older volvo's but It probably means the seal in the upper unit of the drive where the u-joints meets the housing is shot, hence leaking sterndrive oil into the bellows. Probably leaks the most when the drive is trimmed up


Nathan

 

[sqbtr]

Re: 1985 Volvo Penta AQ270 Oil in Bellows

Was there any water mixed with it?

Probably the input shaft seal to the outdrive, there is some other stuff in there to be worried about. Best to get a shop manual for the drive, preferably an original penta manual.

The sealing washer for the shaft could be rusted from prior water intrusion, if you replace the washer there are some clearances that have to be set.

search double bearing block and clamping ring. I'm assuming you just removed the upper to do the bellows.

 

[Frankog99]

Re: 1985 Volvo Penta AQ270 Oil in Bellows

No water mixed with the oil. Yes, I was just going to replace the Bellows as I have no idea how old they are. It does appear that there was some water intrusion at some point in the past. I was leaning towards there being some kind of seal that went on it. the leg has been up for some time. when I bought the boat I did check the oil in the leg and it appeared OK, but when I checked the level before I started to tear it down, no oil. I have the shop manual thanks to Don S. Is it horribly expensive or just labor intensive? While I am at it I will replace the U Joints as they are not sloppy, but very loose. The drive seems to work, goes in and out of gear etc, is there anything else I should check before continuing?

Thanks to everyone,
Frank

 

[Don S]

Re: 1985 Volvo Penta AQ270 Oil in Bellows

Wat normally happens when water gets into the bellows is the "Washer" (item #23 in the link below) gets rusty and takes out the upper seal.
http://www.volvopentastore.com/Uppe...on_id.584706270--store_id.366--view_id.786372

You also want to make sure there is no milky oil in the flywheel housing bearing area, that bearing doesn't like water (aka rust) either.

 

[Frankog99]

Re: 1985 Volvo Penta AQ270 Oil in Bellows

Don, So I am looking at an upper gear case seal kit, snap ring #21 and washer #23 at minimum I am guessing. I did notice that the snap ring on the housing side was shot, But have not fully inspected that side yet. I would like to thank you and everyone else here for everyting, It is much appreciated.

Frank

 

[Glastron_V210]

Re: 1985 Volvo Penta AQ270 Oil in Bellows

I've been told an overfilled outdrive can leak this way. Not sure if this is correct or not. I'd be tempted to drain the outdrive to check for h2O and refill to the right level and try it.

Just trying to save you what may be an expensive needless expense. The only possible downside i can see to oil in the bellows is that it MAY dissolve the grease in the PDS bearings if it splashed in there. It is probably no big deal though.

Chay