velvet drives fluid change anybody ?

[1956olds]

Well its time to do the end of season maint.again .I never had to do the transmission fluid changes on inboards before,but think i am capable .Any body have some directions for these velvet drives,is there a filter somewhere?I use a 12 volt pump for oil changes will this work for trany also? Thanks Glen

 

[Rum Runner]

I've been working on this same issue the past couple of weeks and some of what I found out may be helpful. I have twin 340's with BW V-drives, 1987 vintage. My transmission's take 4 1/2 qts. of ATF. Yours probably does too. When I extract the fluid thru the dip stick tube, the most I can get is 1 1/2 qts. I wasn't happy with this and ask for help with a better way. Frank, another member, and a technical contributor (fwebster), provided a suggestion, which is the way I think I will go as soon as I can. He also sent a picture of his application. I will try to send it to you. Now..what I found out about our units. These units do not have a drain plug, as you might think, the manufacture's instructions tell you to disconnect the lower ATF cooler hose and drain the units. In my 340 I would have to pull the engine to get to mine. Not an option. You might have more room than I do and can drain your transmissions the way the manufacture suggests. Hopefully, I haven't been to long winded and have been some help. Rich

 

[1956olds]

Thanks Rich ,i didnt get the picture though.my service manual is from 1987 #9 and it does mention removing a coolant hose to get at a filter.I didnt have the manual with me yesterday when i did the oil changes so i left it alone .I lost my dog this week so i wasnt happy being on the boat without her for the first time in probably 8 years,and getting the boat ready for haulout next saturday didnt help either.I would appreciate the photo and any other info you can offer .Perhaps a link to the other thread would help also as i have read f websters stuff and am confident in his expertise.Thanks ,Glen

 

[Mick & Denise]

I just changed the fluid after a rebuild on the BW Velvet drive 5000 series. There is a drain plug at the very bottom of the drive just behind the coupling on the output shaft. It came out fairly easy. If I remember it took a 1/2" wrench and was a square head. It only took 2 quarts to fill it back up. But this is a 1998 boat. Hope this helps.

 

[1956olds]

Soory mike & denise i have inlines,but thanks for tryin.Glen