02 SAN V Drive help!

[SAN210Pat]

Hey guys, so I made a pretty good mistake when I bought the boat yesterday (02 SAN with Excalibur 330 and Walter V Drive) from White Lake Marine in NC. I checked the engine oil and transmission but wasn't sure where to check the v drive at... Lucky me both I checked were perfect however once I had bought the boat I started going real good through the boat and getting familiar with the engine when I got home from work today and got to check the v drive oil... It looks like chocolate milk...

I have read up on it and pretty much came up with 3 things.
1. Copper oil tube is leaking
2. Gasket is FUBAR
3. Need a complete rebuild by Walters (regardless of problem most likely need to have this done now)

I don't know how long it has been like this, which makes me worry like crazy because I haven't cracked it open to see how bad off it is yet.

Any words of encouragement or advice would be greatly appreciated. I am beyond frustrated over this and even more mad because I over looked the issue prior to purchase.

I sent an email to White Lake and told them about this and hope they will assist with the issue.

End state I AM AT FAULT. I know that so please don't post and say that I'm an idiot for over looking it. I am very aware and know I am ultimately responsible. Just never a good feeling when I have had the boat for less than 24 hours. I'm just asking for some guidance.

-Pat


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[Tmosely1]

Pat,
I wouldn't get too worried yet. If you have done the reading, then you already know that it is most likely the gasket or could even be as simple as water getting in thru the top at the dipstick after a big rain. If so, you can likely fix the gasket and pump out the bad fluid then flush it a couple times and be good. The guys and girls at White Lake are great people and I bet this is something that started after they had already inspected it and it was on the lot. Little things like this happen in all parts of life. Think of this as a low tire on your truck, let's not freak out and assume you're buying a new one yet.

White Lake takes the business serious and they have a great reputation. Give them a chance to respond and my guess is they will get you fixed up.

[SAN210Pat]

Tmosley1,
I really appreciate the comment. Definitely was a lit fuze earlier. Needed to take a breath. Hopefully can get this all sorted out, I'm sure they will help out just wanted to yell earlier!


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[ski4evr]

Would suggest a draining and fill with new oil. Give it a minute or two running on the trailer at the ramp and check again. Only holds 2 quarts, previous owner maybe never changed it.

[shag]

Those V-Drives are pretty tough. I had an older Nautique I purchased that sat for who knows how long with creamy looking fluid. I changed it 4-5 times to get it clear, and once I did that, I ran it for over a year before I sold it... Probably put 250 hours on it without any issues.

[DLafont]

Take a breather and give the folks at WLM the time to help you assert the situation. If they are as reputable a dealer as they seem to be, they will help you out. We all screw up with our boats at some point, part of learning, unfortunately...

[SAN210Pat]

Alright, so White Lake Marine has lived up to there reputation. Told me I could return the boat, or they will flush it and run it a few times to see if that will solve it or I'll buy replacement parts at cost. Had a good talk with them on the phone and they were very helpful and supportive and just as upset as I was that this was an issue.

So questions:
I flushed the v drive thoroughly two times, running the boat after each flush and fill of the v drive oil. I ran it off the perco in line flush system, didn't drop it in the water. The perco is installed after the water strainer on the Excalibur 330. Will flushing the engine like this run water through the v drive? Or will I need to drop it in the water to fully test this function allowing the transmission to engage and work through the v drive in gear. I'm assuming my last statement is the case but want to verify from a more knowledgable person if possible.

Thanks for all the calming words guys, really helps when you have smoke coming out of your ears!

-Pat


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[Paxdad]

Yes water will circulate through the vdrive while on the hose. Water goes in under the boat and out the exhaust. Therefore it goes through the vdrive.


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[rossrips7]

I went through a similar problem as you with my 02 San last summer after replacing my trans cooler. I know your problem is in the v drive but what I did was take my sucker with me to the ramp, dropped it in ran for 15-20 min, put it on the trailer sucked it tranny fluid out, refilled then repeated until the fluid was no longer milky. Took a lot longer than I thought but it finally all cleared out! I hope you have the same luck with the vdrive as I did the trans


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[fb_rider]

What oil is everyone using in their Walter V-drive? The specs call for SAE30 Heavy Duty non-detergent oil. I can find heavy duty, and I can find non-detergent, but not both in one oil. Any suggestions?

[a.klos]

I just got a bottle of non detergent oil sae30 from autozone. Dont remember brand.

[fb_rider]

I'm getting the impression that non-detergent is more important than heavy duty, which kind of makes sense.