Gearbox heat exchanger replacement or repair

[blue-max]

My gearbox Volvo Penta ms2 a-e has a water heat exchanger which bolts to the base of the housing/body. A leak has occurred in a pipe fitting - copper pipe which I have made a temporary repair using epoxy but now need to find a permanent solution. Are replacement parts available or is a repair possible. Anyone had experience of this issue.

[Happysailor]

Hi Blue-Max,

Yes, part availability with "older" engines and gear drives may get troublesome, as support to these engines gets limited. Seals and gaskets may remain available, gears and pipework not. I quickly checked with Volvo Penta parts site in NL and did find pipes not to be available anymore.

Having worked in the shipping industry for many years, sometimes with aging equipment ire-manufacturing of  the is last chance.. making sure you get a part from the right materials (copper, cunial, etc to avoid galvanic corrosion). I would look for a workshop which can make the part to the sample provided. Usually ship repairers (which are in many commercial ports) may be able to help you?

Off course, sourcing an OEM part would be easiest, but if no avail I would look for a workshop to have it re-made or properly repaired.

[Yngmar]

Not sure what that looks like, as only the 47 Ocean had a shaft drive and thus a gearbox that needed cooling. If it's a bolt-on, any number of alternative heat exchangers can be substituted.

[blue-max]

Surprised no one else has had this problem.  Unfortunately location of boat makes it difficult to find engineering shop to fabricate replacement.