xdp metal flaking in drive lube....

[Lifes Good]

Well the saga continues.  I have a seasonal hall out next week.  I noticed very small metal flaking in the drive oil reservoir. I put a magnet in the oil and sure enough it collected.  Anyone want to take a stab at what I might be up against....... 

LG

[fmrosell]

The flakes are gear teeth wear....every drive has some....how much is too much is open to debate....

[pepmyster]

Small powder like flakes are normal. More than that is not good.

[Lifes Good]

They are powder like flakes.  The drive does have a slight wine when not in gear an a much louder wine when in gear.  Hopefully its nothing but the other drive is dead quite and clean oil and never a problem. 

If the drive ends up bad l think I will just bite the bullet and buy new drives. Dpx or the new ocean X.  Pending the deal I can make with VP.

[alswagg]

Are you using Synthetic gear lube or standard GL-5?  How much was collected in the reservour?  I suggest draining the fluid and inspecting the oil,  run a magnet in the drained oil and inspect.  good luck  Al

[pepmyster]

Good advice!

[Lifes Good]

Thanks Al!

Yes the drive will be off next week for inspection.  I stirred a magnet in the reservoir for about a min.  Top, bottom and all around.  I collected enough to make a dark smear on a paper towel and could feel the grit. Slightly larger than powered sugar.  The oil is not very dark.  I had all new upper gears put in back in May due to a bearing needing replacement.  My VP tech used all the special tools and checked 3 times to be sure the gears where with in tolerance.  The good part about that repair is I know have the normal clunk going into gear.

I am concerned that the lower gears might be the issue since the wine gets more pronounced when in gear vs out of gear. Even with new u-joints and bearing.

Can the XDP lower gears be replaced or rebuilt since the drive is one unit?  If so what are the normal VP hours to do that job?

Thanks,

LG

[Rob_boater]

Yep - This is the latest from the Volvo XDP nightmare. 

First it was the bellows now its metal in the gear oil.  I had my drive replaced last year as the gears were damaged pretty good.  I have no more warranty left.  If these fail again I will repower with Mercruiser or just sell the boat for parts I guess as I will not give Volvo another dime.

Volvo = JUNK!  I really hope they go out of business at this point (I would feel bad for the innocent workers but enough is enough with this poor company). 

[Lifes Good]

Update,

The Port Drive is now off.  NO WATER IN BELLOW!  YEAH!!!

Some signs of slight wear in the upper gears mostly the reverse gear and possible bearing getting ready to go.  More info to follow as my mechanic digs further.

LG