'06 340DA Steering Issue / Transmission Issue

[finchturf]

I'll preface this by saying that I'm moving up from a twin I/O 280 - so the rudder system and v-drive system are both new to me! I picked up my new to me boat today and noticed the following things when bringing her home...

--steering felt very tough - especially at speed / was ok in slow manuevers. No funny noise, no visible leaks. I did not check the reservoir on the helm - has this been an issue?

--there was a slight oil stain under the transmission on the port engine. I wiped it off - it is right at the seam between 2 parts of the case? Boat has 220 hours on it - well maintained. My initial thought is perhaps this is from over-filling or spilling from the fill? Do these things leak?

--sea strainer on starboard engine - that little black plastic plug towards the bottom is leaking. I'm assuming this is not a major issue!? Couple drips.

Overall - boat is awesome. Bought it through local dealer - was broker boat from NH. I would never do that again. Had it surveyed in NH - I was there. These issues did not show themselves then. Figures. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Creekwood]

I had the same questions when I went from a power assist I/O to my 330 vdrive. Mine has hydraulic steering, but its not power assisted. The props at speed put a lot of force on the rudders. On mine it takes some pull on the wheel at speed to turn hard. At slow speed the steering is smooth and light so I know it is just the way the system works. You ain't spinning it around on a dime at full speed.

 

[finchturf]

Haha! Thanks for the info Scott. The steering thing was a little disconcerting - I must say. The little black plug seemed easy - and the trans fluid was a little baffling too. Level is good in the trans - doesn't appear to be coming from the shaft seal. It is directly under the fill - although there was no telltale sign of an overfill situation. I guess I'll keep my eye on it!

 

[travis340]

Had the same first impressions when we got our boat in regard to the 'hard' steering. Do make sure the reservoir is completely filled, but the effort will take some getting used to. After you settle in you will like the way it stays on track as Scott said.

Have never had any drips from transmissions, but with the location you describe it could very well be spillage or from just checking levels and dripping.

Best of luck, you will love the boat.

 

[finchturf]

Ok - looks like I do have a transmission leak. Not good. Level appears to be ok - but as the boat is used - oil drips into the bilge. Bilge is spotless - I'm a freak about that! Bone dry - no water - but transmission fluid is not good! From what I can tell from searching here - trans and/or engine needs to be pulled?! Not good. Not cheap! Just got this thing - didn't show in the survey. Ugh. Any experiences with this?

 

[rondds]

Are you sure the dipstick is not a bit loose? As the temp goes up and the fluid expands, maybe it's pushing past the dipstick/fill hole.

 

[finchturf]

I am positive its not the dipstick... Something underneath. Need to do a little more investigating. Only when you're running it - which unfortunately leads me to believe its one of the shaft seals... Not good.

 

[rondds]

Darn. Very sorry. Good luck with that.