Tranny Troubles -CD33

[Brian W.]

I went out last evening to check the boat over prior to a labor day voyage. When checking the tranny fluid (Volvo Penta MD11) I found the dipstick to be bone dry. Obvious cause for concern, especially since the engine has seen VERY low hours this summer (chartered a Hinkley up in Maine-quite nice). I filled it and decided to exercise it briefly, putting it in Fwd, then Reverse while pearing down at the tranny. That's when I noticed the rear end (the inner drum)of the tranny slidding back in reverse a couple inches, stopping when it contacted the stuffing box. The now exposed part of the drum was quite shinny, the way something on the INSIDE of a transmission would be. Putting it in forward "drove" it back in. In neutral it gradually slid out about a half an inch.

The rear seal is still on, but about an inch back from the slidding from doing any good (hence the oil leak I'd imagine). The worst part is the tranny was hauled last year for a similar problem and rebuilt. This was after it came out the season before THAT. The original tranny problem two years ago could be understood, since the boat was 18 years old. It seems the two times it's been replaced however, the shop hasn't been doing something right.

We had noticed a bit more vibration than normal, but don't know if this was the cause or effect.

Anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing this??

Thanks,

Brian W.

[mike]

I've had nightmares with my tranny, (same engine) been out 3 times and had two rebuilds, still having problems. I treat it like gold and even now it's beginning to whine.

I wish I had a solution, but at this moment I'm seeking a spare for my trans Atlantic voyage this coming spring.

If you find any sources, please email me.

thanks,
mike

I went out last evening to check the boat over prior to a labor day voyage. When checking the tranny fluid (Volvo Penta MD11) I found the dipstick to be bone dry. Obvious cause for concern, especially since the engine has seen VERY low hours this summer (chartered a Hinkley up in Maine-quite nice). I filled it and decided to exercise it briefly, putting it in Fwd, then Reverse while pearing down at the tranny. That's when I noticed the rear end (the inner drum)of the tranny slidding back in reverse a couple inches, stopping when it contacted the stuffing box. The now exposed part of the drum was quite shinny, the way something on the INSIDE of a transmission would be. Putting it in forward "drove" it back in. In neutral it gradually slid out about a half an inch.

The rear seal is still on, but about an inch back from the slidding from doing any good (hence the oil leak I'd imagine). The worst part is the tranny was hauled last year for a similar problem and rebuilt. This was after it came out the season before THAT. The original tranny problem two years ago could be understood, since the boat was 18 years old. It seems the two times it's been replaced however, the shop hasn't been doing something right.

We had noticed a bit more vibration than normal, but don't know if this was the cause or effect.

Anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing this??

Thanks,

Brian W.

mpr@seascan.com

[Brian]

Mike,

The shop has the boat hauled and the tranny sent out. Don't know that they've found the problem yet.

It'll cost enough that looking into a new engine would seem appropriate. Don't know if you can get much more speed out of the 33, though.

I'll let you know what they tell me.

Brian

I've had nightmares with my tranny, (same engine) been out 3 times and had two rebuilds, still having problems. I treat it like gold and even now it's beginning to whine.

I wish I had a solution, but at this moment I'm seeking a spare for my trans Atlantic voyage this coming spring.

If you find any sources, please email me.

thanks,
mike