04 380DA tranny fluid

[skylark]

I'm not at the boat and don't have manuals or the serial number to the tranny's, I'm trying to prepare for the winter oil changes and asked the PO what oil he has been using.

engine mercury 25w40 full synthetic
tranny Regular 25w40 in transmissions

does this seem right for my tranny?

04 380DA 8.1s horizons

Thanks

 

[Southpaw II]

Don't think so.....those V-Drives need Dextron III. 4.5 quarts each. Somebody else chime in here...

Don

 

[my3sons]

Perhaps the PO can give you some history on the situation with that boat, but for a while now, some have switched to motor oil to quiet harmless clatter at idle and whine in some transmissions, usually the one that runs in reverse.
ZF gave their OK to this depending on trannsmission model. This is all I know about this. If your manual says ATF, but your dipsticks show engine oil, you may need to make a few phone calls to make sure it is OK in your year and model. Maybe others can add to this.
Good luck

 

[skylark]

thanks for your responses guys!

here's a cut and paste from the PO

the transmissions will be good for another season they were just done. You can use ATF or 25w40 in the trans. I used 25w40, they shift smoother and run cooler.

 

[almostenuff]

I had to call 3 different MM's to get a straight answer. The closest was "it's supposed to be ATF, but if you pull the dipstick and its brown, use regular oil. WTF?! After a $10,000 transmission replacement, I'd like something better than a coin flip! Mine was red BTW...before it became black that is