www.iFourWinns.com

Greetings -- I have a 2004 268 Vista VP Duo-Prop 5.7 Gi-EF. I've owned the boat for 5 years and never have change the gear lube. I have checked to make sure it is up to level but never have change the fluid. I was wonder a couple of things. How hard is it to take the props off? Is there anything special I need to know? I have the wrench. And, how often does everyone change their gear lube?

_________________
__________________________________________

2004 268 Vista "Satisfy My Sol"

Volvo recommends the gear oil be changed every year, and thats what I do. 5 years? Time for a oil change. Have you ever removed your drive? Had it serviced by marina or yourself? If not, you should. Gimble bearing, bellows, U-Joints, input shaft seal...all must be checked annually.

_________________

1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

You should be doing it yearly to check for water in the gear oil. If you pull the drain plug if there I water it will come out first because water is more dense than oil. Also the Volvo DP props should be remove and the prop shaft re-greased or they can seize up on the shaft and be very difficult to remove.
When was the last time you removed the drive for the normal maintenance?

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I guess I have a project for today. I had the bellows, u-joints, etc. change last year. So, I am good there. Is there anything odd, I need to know about pulling the props?

_________________
__________________________________________

2004 268 Vista "Satisfy My Sol"

Yes, there is.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I deserved that... Have a great weekend boating Cap'n Morgan

_________________
__________________________________________

2004 268 Vista "Satisfy My Sol"

Dear sweet tapdancing Jesus... 5 years without changing the gear lube?!

I change mine every year, and install new o-rings on all the drain plugs/dipstick. Personally, I use Amsoils marine gear lube.

_________________
1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Got the props off (http://youtu.be/0q0scmMbB5E). No worries with this tool (http://www.michiganmotorz.com/volvo-pen ... MgodulMAxg).

_________________
__________________________________________

2004 268 Vista "Satisfy My Sol"

Actually the mechanic should have done that when he did the other work...

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

i was thinking the same thing lou .I change mine every season just to check for water in the lube

_________________

1989 245 vista
5.7 cobra

Every year when I winterize.

Sometimes I feel foolish throwing away perfectly good gear oil, but then think about the effects of possibly having water in there....

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

All it takes is a piece of fishing line to mess up the shaft seal and next thing you know you've got a milkshake in your drive. I've gotten into the habit of checking my drive oil a couple times a year when we pull out and trailer somewhere, but at a minimum I change it every fall. I've even done a mid season change before when I felt like we were putting a lot of hours on. Oil is always cheaper than parts when it comes to an outdrive!

_________________
Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

I have a question about the gear lube change on the Volvo. I think you have the same drive as I do.....

When removing the old gear lube, is there an easier/cleaner way to do it then just pulling the plug behind the cover on the front of the drive?? My old Alpha drive, the plug was down on the bottom of the drive near the back. I have looked everywhere on the Volvo, but can only find the one plug. Lube comes out, but makes a mess everywhere.

_________________

2006 Vista 278
First Boat:
2005 Sundowner 205
Columbus, OH

Which outdrive do you have? IIRC, on my DP-S it was behind the props. If you put in the upper oil screws before removing the pump, it will slow the amount of fluid that flows back out that bottom hole.

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225