which fluid?

[spunner]

Hello. I have a DA500 with 6v92's and MTM trannys. No idea who makes the v-drives. I checked the v-drive gearbox and the starbord is low. I want to top it off, but have no idea what it takes. I researched and keep coming up with ATF. The oil in it is not ATF. Appears to be motor oil. Before I add anything, was curious if anyone has a DA500 with this setup and knows the manufacturer of the v-drive or what oil I need to add. TYIA!

D

 

[Nauti-Kal]

if you have Hurth Trans. there is a Bulletin release about that. it talked about the gear noise you would get at low idle speed, the trans gears would not mesh and the bulletin said to use motor oil rather than ATF.

SERVICE ADVISORY Date: 11/21/01 Advisory #SV2001-2 SUBJECT: Gear Rattle Hurth Reduction Gear Transmissions--- We have received a number of complaints regarding rattling or noisy ZF/Hurth reduction gears(V-drive or in-line). The noise is most pronounced at idle RPM and typically goes away when the engine RPM is raised above idle. Although the noise can be irritating, this is a normal condition with these transmissions that in no way affects the durability or reliability of the unit. In an effort to reduce the gear rattle noise at low RPM; the transmission manufacturer has suggested that we change from the current Dexron 3 transmission fluid that we use in the transmission to 15W40 motor oil. This is the same oil that we recommend for use in the engine and its higher viscosity helps dampen the contact of the gears and reduces the noise significantly. Indmar has started using 15W40 Pennzoil Marine Motor Oil in all reduction gears starting with engine IC985313. Those units will be identified with a Pennzoil 15W40 Marine Oil sticker on the transmission in place of the ATF sticker that was previously attached. We suggest that if you have a customer complaint of a noisy or rattling reduction gear that you replace the transmission fluid with 15W40 motor oil at the next scheduled service. Our current recommended maintenance schedule calls for changing the transmission oil at the first service(10-20 hours) and then annually or every 300 hours, whichever comes first. Since the transmission has no drain plug, it is necessary to suck the fluid out of the transmission through the opening in the bottom of the filter cavity. Use a suitable oil removal pump with a pick- up long enough to get to the bottom of the transmission housing. You might also want to remove the coolant lines and let the cooler and hoses drain into a suitable container to make sure as much of the fluid as possible is removed from the transmission. It is not necessary to flush the transmission, just get as much of the old fluid out as possible. Reconnect the cooling lines and fill the transmission with 15W40 motor oil. The level of the oil should be between the ìmaxî and ìminî marks on the dipstick. The following chart gives you the approximate capacities of the various reduction gears. Model Capacity450A 2.12 qt (2L)630A 4.2 qt (4L)630V 4.2 qt (4L

 

[spunner]

No noise, it is just low and I wanted to top it off. But thank you for the response and the additional information!

 

[Golfman25]

You really need to know the transmissions. See if you can find the specs on line or in an owners manual somewhere. That will help you narrow done the fluid.

 

[dtfeld]

@SKybolt has a similar engine setup, and may have some insight to the specifics of your engine/transmission setup. The transmission should also have a specification plate attached. Take a picture and post if able.

You need to be very specific and get the right procedure for your tranny. For example, ZF transmissions have different procedures, depending on what type of dip stick is installed. Total PITA and a source of confusion. But my point is, unless you know how your measuring, it could be the other side is over filled.

 

[Skybolt]

Hello. I have a DA500 with 6v92's and MTM trannys. No idea who makes the v-drives. I checked the v-drive gearbox and the starbord is low. I want to top it off, but have no idea what it takes. I researched and keep coming up with ATF. The oil in it is not ATF. Appears to be motor oil. Before I add anything, was curious if anyone has a DA500 with this setup and knows the manufacturer of the v-drive or what oil I need to add. TYIA!

D

So you signature is very confusing. You show twin 6v92's and velvet drives in the same line?

What year is your boat 92 or later? Your sig. states 89, but the 50DA was not made until 92. The 46EC was the largest until 90. In 90/91 there was a newly designed 48, then the 50 in 92.

Also what are MTM transmissions? I am very familiar with the Detroit setups but can't place MTM to a brand. For the most part all transmissions coupled with Detroits use engine oil, Alison, Capitol, Twin Disk all use straight 40w. I only use Shell Rotella T1 40w in the engines, but use Cheveron (NAPA brand) or Dello 40w in the transmissions, it is very clear and helps with detecting any issues much faster.

 

[spunner]

So you signature is very confusing. You show twin 6v92's and velvet drives in the same line?
I apologize, yes the 500 is a 92. I was incorrect stating velvet drives, I thought that was what they were. Will fix that now. I stated MPM as that is what the tag says. I see the ZF on the top now. I attached pic. So I topped off the v drive and it took 1.5 gal. Which is what it holds. After filling, found leak. Have crack in the case. Caused by some home made adapter and piss poor installation. Hoping someone can identify this v drive that I am in the process if removing to fix.



What year is your boat 92 or later? Your sig. states 89, but the 50DA was not made until 92. The 46EC was the largest until 90. In 90/91 there was a newly designed 48, then the 50 in 92.

Also what are MTM transmissions? I am very familiar with the Detroit setups but can't place MTM to a brand. For the most part all transmissions coupled with Detroits use engine oil, Alison, Capitol, Twin Disk all use straight 40w. I only use Shell Rotella T1 40w in the engines, but use Cheveron (NAPA brand) or Dello 40w in the transmissions, it is very clear and helps with detecting any issues much faster.

 

[Golfman25]

Right there on the tag. They are ZF transmissions. Take SAE 30. Good luck.
https://www.zf.com/products/en/marine/home/marine.html

 

[spunner]

Right there on the tag. They are ZF transmissions. Take SAE 30. Good luck.
https://www.zf.com/products/en/marine/home/marine.html

yes, the trans is ZF. does that mean the v-drive is ZF as well? I have googled ZF v-drive and can't find a pic that looks anything like mine.

 

[Skybolt]

I apologize, yes the 500 is a 92. I was incorrect stating velvet drives, I thought that was what they were. Will fix that now. I stated MPM as that is what the tag says. I see the ZF on the top now. I attached pic. So I topped off the v drive and it took 1.5 gal. Which is what it holds. After filling, found leak. Have crack in the case. Caused by some home made adapter and piss poor installation. Hoping someone can identify this v drive that I am in the process if removing to fix.

Ok, that makes sense now. But the ZF in that configuration is a little rare. Sorry to hear about the crack. Not sure how your going to fix that, those cases are going to be hard to find. Good Luck!

 

[spunner]

Ok, that makes sense now. But the ZF in that configuration is a little rare. Sorry to hear about the crack. Not sure how your going to fix that, those cases are going to be hard to find. Good Luck!

I appreciate the kind words. Thank you.

 

[Skybolt]

yes, the trans is ZF. does that mean the v-drive is ZF as well? I have googled ZF v-drive and can't find a pic that looks anything like mine.

That is a good question, there should be a tag on it somewhere possibly painted over. But ZF is the most popular V-Drive setup.

I would get subscription over at BoatDiesel.com and post some questions there.

EDIT: The actual model is in the upper left of the tag. Try using that and looking that up.

 

[spunner]

That is a good question, there should be a tag on it somewhere possibly painted over. But ZF is the most popular V-Drive setup.

I would get subscription over at BoatDiesel.com and post some questions there.

EDIT: The actual model is in the upper left of the tag. Try using that and looking that up.

Thank you for the info. I do appreciate it.

 

[Golfman25]

yes, the trans is ZF. does that mean the v-drive is ZF as well? I have googled ZF v-drive and can't find a pic that looks anything like mine.

V-drive and tranmission are the same thing.

 

[Almightys]

30w motor oil

 

[spunner]

V-drive and tranmission are the same thing.

I understand the newer stuff is all in one, but these are two separate units. each with their own cooling lines and dipsticks. trans output shaft bolts to v drive and v drive bolts to the driveshaft.

 

[b_arrington]

Right there on the tag. They are ZF transmissions. Take SAE 30. Good luck.
https://www.zf.com/products/en/marine/home/marine.html

I can’t make out the model on that plate. But ZF has updated their specs to allow use of 15w-40 oil in a very wide range of their transmissions. This simplifies maintenance to allow using one oil for both the engine and transmission.

 

[Skybolt]

I can’t make out the model on that plate. But ZF has updated their specs to allow use of 15w-40 oil in a very wide range of their transmissions. This simplifies maintenance to allow using one oil for both the engine and transmission.

But most of the older stuff still needs to be the straight weight oil. He also has Detroit Engines, those can not use multi-weight oil and MUST be straight 40w.

 

[b_arrington]

But most of the older stuff still needs to be the straight weight oil. He also has Detroit Engines, those can not use multi-weight oil and MUST be straight 40w.

Detroit engines are definitely outside my wheel house. But the change in ZF approved lubricants can help folks that were not aware of the change. The change seems to apply to a very wide range of units. The flexibility in lubricants can help match what’s in the main engine.

Here’s the pub for reference.

https://aftermarket.zf.com/remotemedia/lol-lubricants/lol-en/lol-te-ml-04-en.pdf

 

[spunner]

I believe I have finally identified these suckers. ZF V250/M V-Drives. I believe they are made out of unobtanium. At least I have a place to start. Reading on them, there seems to be several people trying to find them. Someone on FB is CNC milling the cases. Most are just swapping to the newer trans/v drive combo units.