Volvo DP-SM water in oil

[whitehills5093]

At the end of the season (yesterday), I went to change my oil in my outdrive. A volvo
DP-SM. When I drained the oil it was milky greyish. There was no evidence of metal chips. I change the seals in the 3 oil plugs every year and have never had a problem. Any ides for how to diagnose the issue?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... Do a pressure/ vacuum test on it,.....

 

[Lou C]

And use soapy water around seals & look for bubbles…I have to do the water pump shaft seal on my Cobra this winter…it was last re-sealed in 2006…so I can’t complain too much!!!

 

[cyclops222]

Did you carefully inspect each of those seals for damage ? Might have installed a bad one ? I did one time. Magnifying glass showed a flat spot on the O ring. I do CHECK the daylights out of any suspicious parts.

 

[BRICH1260]

Possibly a propeller shaft seal going bad. You need to pressure and vacuum test on the unit to see exactly where the leak is coming from.

 

[whitehills5093]

Possibly a propeller shaft seal going bad. You need to pressure and vacuum test on the unit to see exactly where the leak is coming from.

So the vacuum/pressure tester is like $300. Then I would need the puller and tools to replace these seals. Not sure it's worth it or I should just take it to a mechanic.

 

[cyclops222]

Do it a little wrong ? lots more parts & labor.

 

[Lou C]

I think it's worth having a pressure and vacuum tester, because some seals are not that hard to replace but there are some where you might need a mechanic, esp if the drive won't easily come apart for repairs.

 

[kingsfisherman]

I have had water in the drive oil a few times, I made a pressure testing adaptor and bought a vacuum tester. Also bought the spanner tool to remove the retaining ring to the prop shafts to replace the seals. Also have had to replace the shift actuator double lipped seal as well.