[vit]

Hi
On my Volvo Penta 2003T there is no neutral gear at the moment.
I can switch to forward and rear directions, but with no neutral between.
Any ideas?

 

[dabnis]

Hi
On my Volvo Penta 2003T there is no neutral gear at the moment.
I can switch to forward and rear directions, but with no neutral between.
Any ideas?

Did the problem just occur or did it come on gradually? Oil level? Type of oil? Water in the oil? Any work just recently? Does it go solidly into forward & reverse with no slippage? Any change from when cold to operating temp?

Maybe a stretch, but what type of control cables? single or double handle controls? Loose linkage at the transmission? With the cables disconnected at the trans and the linkage operated manually does it do the same thing?

Paul T

 

[Capt Len]

If the trannie is full of thick jelly (oil/water) ????

 

[vit]

dabnis, Capt Len - thanks for your suggestions.
Plan to make a deeper research this weekend, using your recommendations, will post results here.

 

[vit]

I changed the oil in transmission (btw, the oil was clear but level was very low) and the problem does not occure anymore. Hope the oil level was a source of problem and now we solved it with your help.

 

[TropicCat]

Make sure you keep it in neutral when under sail

http://www.catamaransite.com/propeller_drag_test.html

 

[Rockter]

A spinning prop everywhere you sail?
You will wear out your stern bearing and your gearbox.
And be very careful to check that your gearbox does not need the motor running for lubrication (rare perhaps, but check anyway).
If you have a long keeled ship, turn the prop to the vertical and hide the drag behind the keel. It will have less drag than a spinning prop then, and it is certainly quiet.

 

[TropicCat]

A spinning prop everywhere you sail?
You will wear out your stern bearing and your gearbox.....

This is no longer debatable. Where owners have either a Yanmar or Volvo diesel, there is simply no choice. Both engine manufacturers will void engine warranties if the transmission is locked in gear while sailing as it eventually destroys the transmission.

This is detailed in that link I posted.

Not only that, you'll go much faster free wheeling the prop. Again, in that link I posted. You might take a minute and have a look.

http://www.catamaransite.com/propeller_drag_test.html

 

[capta]

There are hydraulic and manual shaft brakes available on the market; no need to hear that prop turn constantly. With a little ingenuity, one can build a shaft brake quite inexpensively; think disc brakes). I wouldn't EVER go sailing if I had to listen to the prop spinning all the time. UGH!
Otherwise, a MaxProp is an expensive, but terrific fix. Increases speed under sail and handling under power.

 

[smurphny]

You might try a simple spring clamp with some wood blocks attached to the jaws. Put a string on it so it doesn't disappear into the bilge when you forget it's there. If placed just right, it'll drop right off if the shaft turns. It takes very little pressure to initially stop the prop from turning, especially a little 2 blade in the up/down position behind the keel. The noise of the prop turning is not only extremely annoying, it also is wearing on cutlass, tranny bearings, and seals for no reason.