Reverse Gear - Checking and changing oil

[Gin]

The Volvo manual for my D3 (200hp) calls for and oil an filter change on the reverse gear every 12 months or 200 hours. Has anyone done that service themselves, and if so, can you advise how easy or difficult it is? From the manual, it looks pretty straightforward, if you have something that can pull the oil up via a suction tube at the bottom of the oil filter housing.

Also, how do you check the oil level on a routine basis? During my delivery process some time ago, I was taught to check it cold. But the manual says to run the engine at idle for a few minutes, and to check it by putting the dipstick back without screwing it in. Evidently while still running. I've never done it that way, but I'm going to try and see how much the level differs. I'm wondering how others do it - cold, or per the manual? Dipstick screwed in or not?

- Gini

 

[BB marine]

Volvo D3 50 hour service includes Reverse Gear oil change and filter. It is straight forward . Loosen the socket head screw that holds the filter in place , remove the cover , remove the filter, suck the oil out of housing thru the fill side. Approx 3 quarts +. . Fill the oil thru the filter side of housing and check with the dipstick straight up and down but not screwed in . Install filter , new o-ring on the cover, push the cover down and tighten the socket head screw. Start the engine let it run for a few minutes, recheck level. I took the boat out and ran it for a 1/2 hour and rechecked every thing again looked for cover leaks and level .

 

[adodson]

The oil change on the reverse gear is pretty straight forward, you will need an oil suck out pump of some sort. After you refill the gear with oil you'll restart the engine for a few minutes to saturate the new filter with oil and fill the oil cooler with oil. You can then shut the engine off, remove the dip stick, wipe clean and re-insert the dipstick without screwing it in to check the oil level. On a routine basis you can check the oil level cold without starting the engine.

 

[Gin]

Just the info I was looking for. Thanks!