volvo penta SX drive - running with trim up?

[Augoose]

I recall reading somewhere that the path and angles of the drive shaft and thus the u-joints on the volvo series is different than that of the mercruiser line, and so running just the engine at idle (not in drive) with the trim up in a volvo doesn't stress the u-joints like that of a mercruiser- is this true?

I screwed up today and started the engine with the drive almost all the way up. I quickly realized my mistake and trimmed it down immediately so I'm hoping I didn't do any damage. It seemed to run fine but of course now I "think" I'm hearing and feeling odd vibrations when turning almost to the limit on either side......

Thanks!

 

[saintlee]

Re: volvo penta SX drive - running with trim up?

not sure of the exact angle for safe running
but your drive shaft and ujoints turn with the engine
doesnt matter if in gear or not
you might want to check your ujoints and gimbal bearing if vibrations are being felt that werent there before

 

[Augoose]

Re: volvo penta SX drive - running with trim up?

Found my answer in the manual :facepalm:
My boat has no limit switch and my gauge has no indication of safe operating range vs "don't start the boat with the trim in this range you idiot".
I was in the shallows and made a poor decision by starting the engine with the drive way up, how far up I don't know.
Hopefully I didn't damage the ujoints or gimble. The boat did run fine for the rest of the evening with the exception of a little vibration at full turn to either side but I can't say whether that was there before my mistake or not.

Thanks for the help Saintlee.

 

[Maclin]

Re: volvo penta SX drive - running with trim up?

Augoose, I can't remember what drive you have now, but the "older" white Swedish drives like a 270-290 and DP-A do not go up quite as high or at as steep an angle as the SX or Merc drives so in that regard there is less chance to stress them at full tilt. At 1000rpm or less they probaly "didn't feel a thing". Still not good for them when running the engine at full tilt (trailer position) all the way up if you go much past idle. Also the u-joints tend to rub on the bellows at that angle.

 

[Maclin]

Re: volvo penta SX drive - running with trim up?

WOW, just saw the title of you post had SX in it. geez.

So, Never mind.