Change of saildrive Oil

[Bob Baynton]

I always change the sail drive oil during the annual haulout. For various reasons, this year I will be unable to get a haulout before heading off on an extended trip. I can get a diver to change the zinc and give the bottom a scrub, but am wondering if anyone has removed the sail drive oil via the filler hole? Any advice out there? (2003 Bav 36 with the Volvo MD20-30 engine.)
Thanks,
Bob

[Stuart]

Hi Bob I believe it mentions in our manual it's alright to change the oil through the dipstick as an alternative to draining out the bottom of the saildrive (we have D2 55C engine)

[Bob Baynton]

Thanks, Stuart. I'll check the manual but I don't see any problem with doing it that way. Besides, the main concern is checking for water contamination which should be apparent from an oil sample.
Bob

[CRYSTAL]

Stuart is right, we've been doing this as well on our Saildrive 130. Remove the cap next to the Dipstick (on the left side) and also remove the dipstick as well to vent. See attached from the VP ops manual. If your SD is also 130 then don't forget the bulletin from VP - change the oil to normal engine oil - VDS3 (15W40) NOT ATF.

[Bob Baynton]

Thanks again for the feedback. My sail drive is of MS 25S vintage. The manual does state 15W/40 not ATF. I know there was quite a bit of confusion over ATF Vs regular engine oil.
Bob

[Nigel]

See here for more info.