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Just rejoined. Originally a member in 2001 when I bought Karisma, a B34 new. Twelve yrs on, I am getting a slight leak in the engine compartment which suggests to me possibly the saildrive main gland seal where it enters the boat needs replacing (any oibservations?). There must be many members who have replaced theirs as many 34’s are of the same vintage. My question is, what advice can anyone offer on the procedure & cost? (I would get it done by specialists). Any reccomendations for the Hamble? Boat will be out at Deacons yard in April. Engine is a Volvo 2030 29hp.
Many thanks.BTW, my name is BRYAN HUGHES – sorry for leaving it off.
Hi Bryan.
You can find some useful info on the thread below;viewtopic.php?f=4&t=610&hilit=saildrive
By the sound of this Volvo reccommend a 7 year service / replacement, so it looks like you may have done really well if this is the first time in 12 years.
Regards
SteveHi Steve, many thanks for the thread, very helpful.
Due to time contraints, I have decided to have the job done professionally and am seeking a couple of quotes local to Hamble. I have also decided to bite the bullet & have all the cooling hoses, exhaust hose, the engine seacock & possibly the engine muffler replaced while it’s all out. I doubt it will be cheap… 🙄
Will advise of any newly invented swear words when I get the bill.
Regards, Bryan.Bryan
I had the saildrive gaiter on my 2002 Bav 32 (Volvo 2020 engine) replaced last winter (2011/12). The work was done by a marine mechanic based at Chichester Marina where my boat is berthed, cost all in was £1200 which I consider to be good value, having seen the work involved. It is possible to ‘do-it-yourself’ but it’s a job which should only be undertaken if you really know what you’re doing and have access to lifting gear to move the engine.
Interestingly, when the saildrive diaphragm was removed and cleaned it was still in pristine condition with no sign of any degradation. There was however a problem with some corrosion of the bolts which secure the saildrive unit to the gearbox; the mechanic who did the work said that even though there was nothing obviously wrong with the diaphragm itself it was worth doing the job if only to identify and rectify the corrosion problem, as well as fitting a new diaphragm.
I hope the above comments are of some use to you, unfortunately I can’t help with recommending anyone in your area to do the work.
Best regards
Ian Culley
B32 Another FantasyThanks Ian. The wise conclusion as you say is that while in many cases the gaiter itself may still be ok, the surrounding kit will almost surely need replacing after a dozen years. So peace of mind all round to get it done.
Regards,
Bryan.Ian,
By the way, could you let me know your mechanic’s contact details please. He may be happy to travel as I have quite a few other related engine jobs for him to do too.
Regards, Bryan.Word of warning to the wise…
replacing old for new is not always a good idea…. value engineered modern parts do not appear to be standing up to the test of time – you may be better off with the devil you know!See my previous thread on new enhaust muffler!
Hi that’s ok with the devil you know but how would you stand with your Insurance company if something drastic was to happen. I’m sure they would wipe there hands of the claim. I think you have to change a saildrive seal every 6 years according to Insurance companies. I’m sure someone will correct me If I’m wrong!
Rgd’s
Mike
Artemis…point well made. It’s one of the reasons why I had the diaphragm changed; I’ve just had all the standing rigging replaced (megabucks again!!) for the same reason.
Regards all
Ian Culley/Another Fantasy
Hi
Best to get a few quotes, had my done on a 38 just over 2 years ago & the gaitor job was £825.
Doesnt include the lift as boat was already out of the water.
Regards
Ian@CaSam wrote:
Word of warning to the wise…
replacing old for new is not always a good idea…. value engineered modern parts do not appear to be standing up to the test of time -http://www.bavariaowners.co.uk/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=812&p=2939&hilit=exhaust#p2939My point was not to the “regulatory replacement” of critical parts but the add on list of perhaps nice to haves….
I totally agree with abiding by the insurance requirements – at the end of the day they are there for a reason and hopefully could end up saving your life as well as a few quid!
Thanks for sending me your mechanic’s contact details Ian.
Unfortunately, so far he hasn’t yet come back to me with any prices.
Regards,
Bryan£1200 is a bit OTT. The parts are just over £200 and it is 8 hours, max 10 charged hours work, so should be under £1000 – worth having other things like coolant change done at the same time as additional labour is minimal.
….should have made it clear that the money I spent included several extras: new oil seals in the saildrive propshaft assembly, new seacock in the raw water intake, making good corrosion, replacing various other bits and pieces (filters, anodes, raw water impeller, cleaning out the heat exchanger, pipework and so on). I guess the charge for replacing the saildrive diaphragm on its own would have been about £1000, maybe a bit less.
Ian Culley
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