Volvo penta outdrive won’t take gear but prop spins

[Customkng05]

I have a 1983 jack daddy edition harbor master house boat with a 200d engine and a Volvo penta 290 outdrive .the out drive spins whenninbforward or reverse with engine running but won’t spin fast enough too make propulsion . Added outdrive oil and the oil now has water in it . Any ideas what’s going on ? I am Volvo penta ignorant . Please help.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Make sure the shift cable is adjusted correctly

Also check your prop to see if the hub is spun

When was the last time you did a bellows job?

 

[jimmbo]

If the gear oil has water in it, then at least one seal is in need of replacement. As Scott mentioned you might have a slipping prop hub.
Some Volvos have a link in the vertical shaft that is designed to shear. If sheared the prop shouldn't spin, but there may be some friction on the coupling to rotate the lower parts.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if you pull the drive and the u-joint bellows is full of water, your input shaft seal, washer, crush sleeve need to be replaced. if the u-joints are rusty enough, you might want to save up for a new input shaft.

 

[QBhoy]

This is usually a sign of water contamination, wrong oil or overheating oil in the drive. It’s almost like a clutch slipping.
Make sure you have the right oil in drive. Some are engine oil and others (likely yours) are 75/90 or 80/90 gear oil and gl 5. Also make sure you put a wee blob of silicone over the drain and fill plugs. The OEM vp seals are terrible for leaking.