Transmision oil change 44 sundancer 500 cummins

I

indecision

Member
Aug 19, 2009
58
GREAT LAKES
Boat Info
2008 44 SUNDANCER
Engines
CUMMINS QSC 500
I change my own oil and impellers , fuel filters but never did the transmissions . What oil does it take and should I do this my self .? Would need filters and need to figure out what those are ? ARe they easy to get too ? Is it as simple as pumpimg out th eold oil and putting back in the new in the same qty ?
 
The type of fluid depends on the transmissions. Most of the newer transmissions use something like straight 30 weight engine oil. My transmissions use automatic transmission fluid, but they are model year 2000. You need to look at the manual for your transmissions to determine the correct fluid.

Changing the fluid is very easy. You can purchase a small hand pump from a marine supply store and use it to remove the old fluid. Based on your boat, you probably have about 7 liters of fluid in each transmission. The filters are easy as well. Again the exact procedure depends on your transmission type, but it should be easily accessible. Be sure to check the level after refilling and running the transmission for a few minutes so that fluid is up into the transmission coolers. Never overfill a transmission. A bit less fluid is better for a transmission than a bit more.

Robert
 
ZF transmission have the oil type on the label located in the center of the transmission at the top right behind the oil cooler, and on the transmission filter cover.
 
you guys may laugh, especially on the bigger gears, I remove the cooler line and fire the engine and the trans will pump it out for you. wont hurt a thing unless its sits there unattended.... thats me though, but the best tool for this job is a vacuum canister, stick the tube down the dipstick hole, pump it and walk away...this frees you up to do something else on the boat.
most of the newer gears use Dexron Mercon or compatable, NO full synthetics..clutch plates are designed to hold and not slip, thats why you stay away from the syn's
 
stuckinforward said:
NO full synthetics..clutch plates are designed to hold and not slip, thats why you stay away from the syn's
Click to expand...

So are you saying that synthetics will CAUSE clutch plate slip? I have read on many forums that synthetics will run cooler and are a better choice. I'm very interested in this. Please explain.
 
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I have a technical contact at ZF in Florida. I sent him an email earlier today. I will let you know what his reply is on this subject.
 
Your boat probably has ZF 280 Series IV Gears like my 03 420DA. My boat does not have the transmission drain system with the Reverso Pump; my Reverso is connected to he mains and generator only. I use a Jabsco 12V Flat tank oil pump to pump the oil out of the Dipstick hole. Once you've pumped out the 1Gallon that the transmission holds, you then need a 36MM socket to remove the filter cover. The filter is a small magnetized sleeve that fits behind the 36MM socket. You'll want to put a small plastic catch pan under the filter cover to catch any residual oil. Once the filter is out, clean it in mineral spirits and see how much ferrous material you have on the magnet. The amount of ferrous material year over year is an indicator of transmission wear. Put the clean filter back in and with a new copper crush washer backing the filter cap, reinstall the filter cap and tighten. Refill the transmission with approx one gallon of 30W oil that meets ZF's specifications. I use Shell Rotella.
Thanks as always to Frank W for teaching me how to perform this service on my boat.
 
unless the manufacturer calls for synthetics on thier clutch plates. bronze plates lose co-efficiency with syns.
if the manual reads Dex/Merc, use Dex/Merc
transmissions do not create much heat as does an engine (as an engine), really no advantage unless its a mechanical and not hydraulic. really no issues inside of a transmission to use synthetics. Im basing my info on 10 year old information, so there is always the variable...but i think they will tell you no synthetics.
I think i found out no matter how good information is, someone will always be a critic
 
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Thanks stuck, for the follow up. I did receive a reply back from the ZF tech and he also says no synthetic. Just use straight Dex/Merc.
 
thanks alot .. by the way i have been told the impellers for my qsc 500 cuminns are sherwood 26000 would you know i fthis is correct >?
 
indecision said:
thanks alot .. by the way i have been told the impellers for my qsc 500 cuminns are sherwood 26000 would you know i fthis is correct >?
Click to expand...

I think you're going to have to talk to a mechanic that has worked on your engines to find that out. Sherwood makes pumps for lots of engine manufacturers. I have CATs in my boat, and the pumps are Sherwood. I can pay CAT about $100.00 for an impeller (made by Sherwood and private labeled for CAT) or I can buy a Sherwood for about $45.00!
 
exactly, Caterpillar are the kings of proprietary parts, and if purchased thru Cat you will pay the premium, do some research to find the Sherwood replacement. as an example we are doing a Cat skidsteer, 4 cylinder Hercules made for Cat, $7200.00 plus $2000 core charge, because the engine is srcap, no way around it...typically, you could rebuild for around 1500.00
 
just curious what is the proper way to check transmision fluids ? Warm i hear and just drop the dipstick in , not screw back in >?
 
indecision said:
thanks alot .. by the way i have been told the impellers for my qsc 500 cuminns are sherwood 26000 would you know i fthis is correct >?
Click to expand...

Indecision, yes, the impellers needed are the 26000k. Get the kit ("k") as it includes the o-ring.

Don
 
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