Volvo Penta AQ DP 290 outdrive. Loosing "Forward" gear

[fotograf]

Hi guys.
My boat has Volvo Penta DP 290 outdrive.
A week ago I was in trolling fishing, went slowly at idle 680-800 RPM for a long time .
Unexpectedly, the boat lost speed, The motor worked normally and there were no extraneous sounds from the drive.
Several times I tried to get the drive selector to "forward" without success. Handle switched but drive left like as in "Neutral",
The "Reverse" turned "on" and ran normally.
Only half an hour later the drive finally hooked "forward" and I immediately added up to 2000 RPM, and returned home.
The next day I took apart the upper gearbox and saw that the brass SPACER RING (that limits the movement of the shaft) was badly deformed.
There are many suggestions on the Internet to replace the brass ring with steel, Okay, I ordered it from a nearby workshop. The turner used 1040 steel.
I assembled all the elements accurately, installed the outdrive on the boat, double checked control cables and went to sea again yesterday,
Everything worked perfectly ...
But ... after 2 hours of slow moving, history repeated itself.
The "forward" movement disappeared again, the clutch appeared only after half an hour ...
I'll get back to my question - is the material of the SPACER RING so critical?
Maybe its deformation is not the cause but a consequence of another problem in the drive ??

I will be very grateful for your advice.

 

[dubs283]

Maybe its deformation is not the cause but a consequence of another problem in the drive ??

I don't know a whole lot about the aq style drives, only been in one deep and that was many years ago and don't recall exactly the spacer you are referring to. In any case what I do know about these drives is as long as they are set up correctly and you can keep gear lube in them they are basically bulletproof.

My guess as to your issue would first ask if you are using a quality brand/correct gear lube and changing regularly. Second would be to check the shift cable/linkage adjustment to ensure complete engagement of the cone into the forward gear cup. It seems the yoke which engages the cone up/down for shifting could also be worn? This is basically from memory as again, been a while since I've dealt with any internal issue on an aq style drive.

FWIW I've used both Volvo brand/spec gear oil and merc high performance gear lube in the aq dp drives with great success, ymmv

 

[Scott Danforth]

sounds like the cone clutch is slipping.

first, are you adjusted properly at the shift linkage?
second, is your oil level correct?
third, the drive is near bullet proof the way volvo designed it back in the late 70's. yes, the materials are critical, as well as the clearances for the cone clutches. if your clutch is burnished, you can try swapping reverse and forward. however you may need to rebuild the box if you have been slipping for a long time (which it sounds like from your description)

 

[fotograf]

Guys, thanks for the replies.
Of course, there is enough oil and the oil is "correct"
The cable is the lightest and the first thing I checked and tried to adjust. It has no problems....
Yes Scott, looks like the cone is slipping in a cup. I'll try to flip the top and bottom gears. What is meant by "rebuild the box" ?
I hope this doesn't involve a lot of new adjustments.
Soon the mechanic will take off the outdrive and me, armed with your recommendations, will try to solve the problem,
Thank you!

 

[Scott Danforth]

What is meant by "rebuild the box" ?
I hope this doesn't involve a lot of new adjustments.

to rebuild the box, you need the factory manual, dial indicators, and new cones, cups, and bearings.