www.iFourWinns.com

I am new to outdrives so when I purchased my 2006 vista 348 in January this year I was somewhat a novice in regards to the legs. There are behind 5.7 Osi motors. On delivery I had the drives removed and all bellows, gimbles, seals etc and a uni joint assembly...ouch. But I thought this was done. 2 months down the track I have a trickle of water seeping down the inside of the transom. I had the mech who installed same have a look who thinks its not bellows but the engine drive mount bolts. I find this hard to swallow. (Read my cost now to lift and pull the motors out...again). Now I'm reading where these composite drives have a mountain of issues with this. Anyone had similar issues or suggestions. Coincidentally the leak is on the same side as the bellows that failed and caused the uni-joint failure.

Common problem with the OS drives. I'm sure you have already read the stories posted about them all over the internet. In some cases, Volvo has stepped up to the plate (often with a dealer going to bat for you) and replaced the drives, and in some cases, the owner is on his own to get them fixed, and pay for it himself.
On a 2006 boat, I am reluctant to say you will get any help from Volvo, and even a good dealer may be hard pressed to offer much financial assistance to get the problem fixed.

Unfortunately, the OS drives were a major failure for Volvo, both in design and support.

Good Luck.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

We had the VP OSx drives on our 06 318V. Over 3 years, I had to replace bellows 2 times, 2 gimbals, and 1 u-joint. VP penta extended warrenty covered - 2 bellows, 1 gimbal and 1 u-joint...and I still had over $3k out of pocket. I loved the concept of the drives, especially in the Mississippi, we had almost no fouling issues, there were no corrioson issues and when working properly they ran great! But....I would never do it again. At least that is what I say today, since we are starting this season with IPS drives...so we will see if we have issues with these!

_________________
2008 378 Vista
"Not 2 SHABI"
IPS 500 Volvo-Penta D6

Previously
'06 318 Vista
'97 258 Vista
'98 195 Sundowner
'87 180 Horizon

I have the composite drive on a 2005 Vista 268. The engine is an OXSi. I have had no problem at all with the system. I change the bellows every two years. This was done a couple of weeks ago and there was no water incursion at all. The bellows were in good shape but I decided to replace them any way. It appears that the new bellows fixed the problem.

As per my previous posts, i have a 358 2008, from new first in florida now in Portugal, big host of problems in US and than in Portugal, Volvo did step up to the plate last Aug and replaced both drives complete with new DPS-A, cost me about $3000.00 for additional works, but a massive differance, DPS-A drives absolutely brillant, Problem with the old XDP and i have this from Volvo is, They where designed for sub 30ft boats and the transom shield can not take the power/ torsion that is exerted from the engines. I did a massive amount of research and anything less than 30 Ft seems ok. I ended up with creaks in the gimbal bearing housing on both drives that causes water to imgress into the gimbal bearing and than the rest is histroy.
Volvo did not give in easy, but due to the fact my boat was and is still Florida registered, they did the right thing.

As i have said before, any boat over 30Ft with XDP drives , to quote Mel Gibson you FUBAB.

Sean

I have a 2005 348 with 5.7 Gi and DP-S/SX drives are the the bad or ok ones? can't tell from the numbers you guys are talking, just bought the boat last year. Had drives removed and serviced this spring and all looks good.Thanks

_________________

Terry
2005 Vista 348
5.7 Volvo I/O

I believe they are talking about the osi drives. The SX or DP drives are ok

_________________
2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

Well further to my first post and this is good but embarrassing. The weather here has been a tad wet and it appears it may be a leak from the rain. It has now been two days since it rained and no leak. It still is a mystery how the water has managed to trickle down either over, thru or on top of the transom mount and into the starboard bilge but its dry. I'm sure someone might be able to enlighten me on that. The drives still concern me but just maybe they aren't to blame on this occasion. On that score my local dealer is negotiating with volvo about a change up of drives. We'll see what happens. Thanks for the input.

I have two leaks going at once. Check the caulk on the vents of the boat for the engine blower. If there is a gap this will cause rain water to drip into the bilge. Also have a leak on a drive intake (metal) which can only be seen with a camera. This is allowing sea water to come in. You have to look under the engine and to the rear to see if this is a water is dripping in. Hope this helps. And right now they are on the 4th generation bellows which they had a service recall on........






Vista 288 2004 4.3 OSI

Thanks tsk. The ingress appeared to be coming mid centre of the engine at the lowest point of the assembly attached to the fiberglass transom. Cant figure why it would stop now as a sea water leak should surely leak non stop. If you could be more descriptive of the exact area or part I will try harder to see. It is almost impossible to get a good look as you physically cant get under there. Did you fix yours and if so what part No needed replacing. Might help my people. I will check the blower seal too!

My leak can not be seen. Only a small drip at the transom when you look under the engine. The part number is:3862038 1 Water pipe. Here is the link to the diagram: http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/vp_sch_fs.html. It shows the inside back of the transom. It took the mechanic an hour to find the leak with a camera.

when you follow the link, hit: marine drive, then xdp, transmission, and then transom.......

Thanks I can see the part ..the number really helps. One last question did it involve a lift and drive extraction to replace? This sounds very much like the leak I had and I will keep a close eye on it.

We have twin 5.0 OSI drives on our 288, and they have not been a problem. The bellows were changed once plus get inspected every year for wear issues. The lack of fouling on the drives is excellent. Simple green and a pressure washer make them look like new.

IMO, the weight of the boat plus higher torque motors (5.7 and 8.1) plus the manner in which the boat is driven all contribute to the problem.


Steve