How to service 280 drive. Water in oil?

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bryceheinz

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May 30, 2012
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I just pulled off my upper gear housing to replace the Bellows after they failed last trip out. We caught it in time and only ran about 20mins with them leaking. I noticed that the oil was milky but none of the seals are wet and all seem watertight. I just purchased this boat and installed a new engine so it has been sitting for about 2 years. I did not have any oil in the bellows and also did not have any oil leaking from prop area when running in a drum. Any ideas? Also where is the drain located for the lower unit and does it get filled from the dipstick hole or do I need to use the pump I used on my OMC?
 
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captmello

Captain
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Jun 30, 2008
Messages
3,851
Re: How to service 280 drive. Water in oil?

How milky? was the oil level higher than normal before you drained it and pulled the upper? A pressure test may have been the first step. If there is just a small amount of water, it may have just been drawn into the outdrive because of the leaky ujoint bellows. The outdrive can suck in water as it cools, through the seal.

check for play in the drive shaft (where the yoke from the ujoints slips over, there should be no play in the shaft up, down, etc.

put the upper back on with new orings and new fluid and run it. See if the fluid continues to get water in it.

Drain is in the bottom...its there.;)

I pump mine up from the drain. There may be a fill hole under the shift cover on back of the drive, but it's not necessary.
 
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bryceheinz

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Re: How to service 280 drive. Water in oil?

well I didn't think to check the oil level and just pulled the upper off. It didn't spill out all over the place so I assume it was low. It seems to have a trace of water. The oil is hardly milky. I checked the gimbal bearing and the splines for the transmission and they both are perfect. Which o-rings get replaced? The one between the upper and lower and both the filll and drain? Am I missing any?
 
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bryceheinz

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May 30, 2012
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Re: How to service 280 drive. Water in oil?

Thanks for all the help. I will contact my volvo dealer tomorrow morning.
 
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PiratePast40

Lieutenant Commander
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Mar 21, 2009
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1,734
Re: How to service 280 drive. Water in oil?

Instead of waiting to see if you get more water in the drive, why not just do the pressure and vacuum tests shown in the manual?
 
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