Volvo Penta SX Outdrive - is water getting in?

[RookieBoat]

I bought a used boat with a 2001 Volvo Penta SX 4.3 GL outdrive at the beginning of the summer. I have put on about 20 hours.

At the start of the season, I changed the fluid on the outdrive with Quicksilver High Performance gear lube.

I took several ounces of fluid out of the outdrive today because someone told me it was overfilled. Now when I compare 2 clear cups each a 1/2 inch deep with new gear lube and the gear lube that has been in my outdrive, the new gear lube is a clear dark green and my gear lube is darkish green but looks milky if I splash some against the side of the glass. Is this a sign of water leaking in or is this a sign of usage? Also I think it smells a little burnt.

If water is leaking in, then how quickly should I address the problem? And if one wanted to fix the leak themselves, how could one find it?

Lots of questions, I greatly appreciate any help.

Dave

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Volvo Penta SX Outdrive - is water getting in?

How did this "someone" know your drive was overfilled?
Did you put new gaskets on your fill plugs, if not they can leak.

 

[RookieBoat]

Re: Volvo Penta SX Outdrive - is water getting in?

Well that's a long story. So last week I drove my boat to a marina to get it bottom painted and yesterday I stopped by in the evening to pick it up. It was on the jacks and I noticed a small stain below the outdrive and a line of gear lube emanating from the prop shaft below the prop. Now at this time the previous owner of the boat who is also at this marina came over and I mentioned this, so we checked the level. Of course, it was overfilled, because when I bought the boat and asked the mechanic how to change the gear lube, he said fill it till it comes out the top. So then the previous owner, the lift driver and myself decide that there's some release mechanism behind the prop and that - because they also replaced the shift cable cause it got stuck in drive on my way to the marina - while they ran it to confirm the shift cable worked it forced some gear lube out via the pressure release. Of course, this theory doesn't explain why the outdrive is still overfilled. And I've never seen a sheen of oil around the outdrive while its been docked. Anyhow, I was satisfied with this theory because I had already told my dad we were fishing this morning and I wanted to go. But before I went I pulled 4 oz of gear lube out the dipstick hole. That's when I noticed the discoloration and smell.

But to answer you question, the "gunk" on the dipstick screw is partially worn off and the previous owner even mentioned it.

My plan is to pull the boat early this week and wait to see if there is any gear lube leaking from beneath the prop before I go ahead and just replace the gear lube and fill to the correct level for safety's sake and cause of any additional deterioration in the lube cause of the overfilling and I will regunk the screw.

I know this sounds inexperienced but these are the decisions I have made so far.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Volvo Penta SX Outdrive - is water getting in?

I wouldn't let it ruin my plans, it sounds like you have a leaking prop shaft seal, fishing line will burn them up in a hurry, put some fresh lube in it and check again after your outing.
Re-gunk the screw?
Pressure relief?

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Volvo Penta SX Outdrive - is water getting in?

When you drain your old fluid, put a pressure tester on there. That will confirm if you have any leaks or not...

 

[RookieBoat]

Re: Volvo Penta SX Outdrive - is water getting in?

Thanks for both your replies. I will have a pressure test done. The more whitish particles in the fluid I pulled yesterday settled to the bottom of the glass which, I think, confirms water is getting in somewhere. Sounds less serious than I initially feared as long as I address it relatively soon.

Is it very difficult to replace the prop shaft seal for a Volvo Penta SX? I'd rather do it myself.

Re-gunk the screw? The dipstick screw doesn't have a gasket on the Volvo, just some waterproof putty substance.
Pressure relief? I guess some outdrives have this. The one on my outdrive exists only in theory as far as I know.