Different Fluids in both transmissions...

[B-Rock]

Decided to change the transmissions fluid today in both my transmissions after 2 seasons. Transmissions are ZF Hurth ZFE85A. Opened up both filters to find Transmission fluid in my starboard transmission and some type of lubricating oil in the port side transmission. The manual calls for ATF in those transmissions, but my guess is someone at the factory filled them both differently. The boat was purchased brand new and I saw the assembly when it arrived up here, so I am guessing the fluid fill happened at the factory. I have never had any isssues with the Port side transmission and it is obviously fine with the oil it has in it, however, my question is do I flush out the oil and replace with ATF, or change the fluid and replace with the same that is in there and if that is the way to go, what oil would be recomended in that transmission where the manual calls for ATF?
Also, we checked the fluid in the port side thoroughly thinking there may have been an issue with the transmission causing the fluid to darken, however after looking at the consistency and smell, it is clearly oil and not ATF. Any suggestions?

 

[Hampton]

TAKE IT TO THE DEALER NOW!

That is your only way to officially document the difference. I don't know what it is. Maybe one of our experts does. Maybe they put it in there to dampen some noise or vibration and figured no one would notice until it was out of warranty. I would find out before I erased the evidence. Standing by to learn more.

 

[B-Rock]

Yes, a call to the dealer and Sea Ray directly is DEFINATELY in order tomorrow, but where it is a Sunday, i was just curious as to if anyone had any recomendations and or suggestions. I will post the dealer's response tomorrow when I speak with them!

 

[sbw1]

My new 1993 37 Express had different colored tranny fluild from the factory. I ran it that way for 150 hours and then changed to the recommended fluid without any problems.

 

[FireIsland1]

hurth trans do call for atf but you can also put in hydraulic oil # 32 . I have done this in my trans to quiet down some of the idle chatter from the gears. My bet is one of your trans was a little noise so they put in hydraulic fluid. No problem i have been runn1ng on it for 5 years . Hurth tend to be a little noise especially in reverse.

 

[B-Rock]

Thanks for the info...If I decide to put in ATF in that transmission, is there a way to properly flush out all of the oil (assuming that is what is in there). Having both transmissions using a different fluid is a pain come fluid changing time, so i would like to have them both the same.

 

[northern]

Have similar transmission and it is ATF. Note had car with limited slip differntial the dealer at 50,000 changed the fluid and it caused the diff to lock up. They put in wrong fluid. If I were you I would ask for an extended waranty on the transmission with different fluid.

 

[fwebster]

Look on the label on the transmission or on the filter cover. The type oil/fluid required is put on the transmission in a way that won't get lost like a manual will.

To flush the old non-specified fluid, what ever it is, all you need to do is to warm the transmission with a short run then change the fluid and wash the filter again or a second time.

 

[B-Rock]

Thanks for the info....the filter cover clearly states ATF, and there was ATF in the other transmission, so I was quite surprised to see oil in the port side transmission.
Thanks for the info on the flushing...safe to say then there should be no harm mixing the two fluids together, assuming that even a real good flush and drain out will not get ALL the oil out?

 

[B-Rock]

Thanks for all the info and advice...I spoke with my dealer and ZF Marine directly this morning and here is what was determined:

ZF Marine said there should be no bad effects from running two seasons on the oil, and was able to confirm that some fills with oil may help to decrease noise and vibrations. They said to flush the fluid a couple times and replace with ATF and also replace the filter. I did ask about extending the warranty through ZF Marine, and they indicated the transmissions are filled at Sea Ray, so they would be unable to extend the warranty.
I am currently working with my dealer to get an extended warranty through Sea Ray on the transmission that had the oil in it as a precautionary measure. If the oil was filled in place of ATF to quiet the transmission and reduce vibrations, my guess is there may be another issue lying down the road somewhere.

 

[Hampton]

Thanks for all the info and advice...I spoke with my dealer and ZF Marine directly this morning and here is what was determined:

ZF Marine said there should be no bad effects from running two seasons on the oil, and was able to confirm that some fills with oil may help to decrease noise and vibrations. They said to flush the fluid a couple times and replace with ATF and also replace the filter. I did ask about extending the warranty through ZF Marine, and they indicated the transmissions are filled at Sea Ray, so they would be unable to extend the warranty.
I am currently working with my dealer to get an extended warranty through Sea Ray on the transmission that had the oil in it as a precautionary measure. If the oil was filled in place of ATF to quiet the transmission and reduce vibrations, my guess is there may be another issue lying down the road somewhere.

Exactly! Or, they've found a way to quiet the noisy transmission that always runs in reverse.