Volvo DP-E drive ... crack inside exhaust port?

[piperca]

I was servicing one of my drives and noticed what appears to be a crack inside the exhaust port. I checked the other drive and it does not have it. The drive has spent its life in fresh water only. Can it be welded? How about JB Weld? Here is a photograph. You can see the crack running vertically at the center of the photograph on the portion that houses the steering spindle.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo DP-E drive ... crack inside exhaust port?

There is nothing there to weld, that should have a the stainless steel tube the steering pivots on running through it. The upper right section of it is completely corroded away, the rest is more corrosion than metal, and you can't weld corrosion.

You need a new intermediate housing for a SP or DP D or E intermediate housing. You might be able to go back to a C or B, but not real sure back that far.

 

[piperca]

Re: Volvo DP-E drive ... crack inside exhaust port?

The black section you are seeing in the upper right is black paint, not a missing corroded part. I understand there is some corrosion in there, but the only thing exposing the shaft that is inside the tube is the crack that runs vertically. If I were to JB Weld it, would it buy me some time. I'd like to get another season out of it before I do the work. Just a little short on coin right now.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo DP-E drive ... crack inside exhaust port?

The part circled is paint?

 

[piperca]

Re: Volvo DP-E drive ... crack inside exhaust port?

Either paint or exhaust coke. I just sanded it off and took another picture ... here you go:

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo DP-E drive ... crack inside exhaust port?

Sure looks better cleaned up. You might be able to get it welded, I doubt JB weld will last in the exhaust passage.

 

[piperca]

Re: Volvo DP-E drive ... crack inside exhaust port?

Thank God! I wasn't looking to spend another thousand right now ... thanks, Don, I'll get someone to look at it.

 

[piperca]

Re: Volvo DP-E drive ... crack inside exhaust port?

Don, as a matter of interest, what is the approximate exhaust gas temperature when it dumps into the drive from the exhaust bellows? JB Weld is good up to 500 degrees and begins to fail at 600 degrees. I think those temperatures are well above the gas temperatures in the drive, especially once introduced to water. I have a funny feeling it's in the 200 degree range ... is this correct?

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo DP-E drive ... crack inside exhaust port?

Never checked it, but it is water cooled. It's not just the temp, it's also the force of the exhaust gasses and water going over it that the JB Weld would have to stand up to. The aluminum (in your drive) didn't.

 

[piperca]

Re: Volvo DP-E drive ... crack inside exhaust port?

Very true!

I see no harm in giving it a try ... what do you think? I'll JB Weld the crack and check it after a couple of trips out, to see how it has faired. The boat is a trailer boat, so it will not have to endure constant contact with water.

The drive was originally used in a freshwater taxi application. I have since purchased the drive and will be using it in a saltwater sportfishing application. I'd like to get a few hours out of it, before I have to dump more money into it.