ZF 63 IV Oil Change

[mawyatt]

Anyone know how to remove (drain) the transmission oil & change filter from the ZF 63 IV V-Drive? The manual isn't clear. There is what looks like a drain plug on the lower opposite side as the dip stick, but I think you must suck the oil from the tube under the cap that looks like it houses the filter from the opposite top side. I'm confused as usual!!

Any recommendations on a oil removal pump that works for both the engine (Horizon 8.1L) and transmission. Cost is important, remember this is Christmas, I've got 4 kids (2 in college, 1 law school), 4 grandkids and I'm already broke!! Anyway would like something that works, is easy to use, doesn't make a mess but doesn't have to be the best or powered.

Thanks and Happy Holidays to CSR

 

[920richardf]

Believe the 63V is similar to the 80V. The fluid is removed by pumping it out through the filter cavity. Filter cap is a compression assembly - use a hex bit to rotate the cap CCW until to cover tab contacts the case allowing the hex bolt to be loosened. Filter will come out with the cap assembly. 3/8" OD tube will fit through the opening in the center of filter cavity. Fill through same opening - first loosen dip stick to allow air to vent.
Filter is wire mesh and can be cleaned or replaced ($$). Two o-rings to replace on the cap assembly. I have not had much fun reseating the cap flush with the gear case, but overall a pretty easy job.
Of course, if the 63V is not similar to the 80V......
Having put three through college with two more to go I can't think of a pump that would fit your budget.

 

[tobnpr]

I got motivated last month and built/installed a permanent oil change system, but before I used this:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|311|296536|314179&id=724708

Inexpensive and gets the job done!

 

[osd9]

.....Filter is wire mesh and can be cleaned or replaced ($$). Two o-rings to replace on the cap assembly. I have not had much fun reseating the cap flush with the gear case, but overall a pretty easy job......

Sorry for the quick hijack....

Rick:

Do have the part number and source for the O rings? Also, how many quarts and what brand/type/grade oil do you use in your 80V?

Jack stands removed....

 

[mawyatt]

I got motivated last month and built/installed a permanent oil change system, but before I used this:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|311|296536|314179&id=724708

Inexpensive and gets the job done!

Thanks. While at this site I noticed the Jabsco 17800-200 which has the tank and power clips to connect to the battery. This is more expensive but seems like it might be worth the extra, what's your opinion on this?

Mike

 

[J Levine]

Do yourself a favor and rig up a 12" hose to the drain plug of each transmission so you can connect an oil pump out to the trasmission and suck the oil out from the bottom. The drain plug on the 630 is 1/2" NPT. I had two hydraulic hoses made up with 1/2" fittings on both ends. One end is treaded into the transmission using a street elbow and the other end has a male garden hose fitting threaded on to it. I used the same Jabsco pump bucket to suck the oil from the mains and the trannies. I also put an adapter on the drain hose of my Westerbeke to do the same. Makes this job very easy.

 

[tobnpr]

Thanks. While at this site I noticed the Jabsco 17800-200 which has the tank and power clips to connect to the battery. This is more expensive but seems like it might be worth the extra, what's your opinion on this?

Mike

Yeah, I went through the same thought process. But since both engines and the gen were already fitted with pan fittings/oil lines, I decided to buy a Reverso pump and build a manifold for a permanent installation.
Total cost for me was around $300- still double the price of what you're looking at, but I figured it would add value at resale time, and it was also really convenient to be able to pump the new oil in (as well as the old oil out).

I'd probably just buy the drill powered pump-they work well and with a cordless drill you don't even have to worry about power supply.

If I had three kids in college at the same time I'd probably be sucking the oil out with a straw...

 

[mawyatt]

Yeah, I went through the same thought process. But since both engines and the gen were already fitted with pan fittings/oil lines, I decided to buy a Reverso pump and build a manifold for a permanent installation.
Total cost for me was around $300- still double the price of what you're looking at, but I figured it would add value at resale time, and it was also really convenient to be able to pump the new oil in (as well as the old oil out).

I'd probably just buy the drill powered pump-they work well and with a cordless drill you don't even have to worry about power supply.

If I had three kids in college at the same time I'd probably be sucking the oil out with a straw...

That's a good one :>) I was a little misleading I only have 2 in college at the same time (Stetson Law School and U of Florida, another already graduated from USF).

I'll follow your advice and get the drill pump..thanks.

Mike

 

[mawyatt]

Believe the 63V is similar to the 80V. The fluid is removed by pumping it out through the filter cavity. Filter cap is a compression assembly - use a hex bit to rotate the cap CCW until to cover tab contacts the case allowing the hex bolt to be loosened. Filter will come out with the cap assembly. 3/8" OD tube will fit through the opening in the center of filter cavity. Fill through same opening - first loosen dip stick to allow air to vent.
Filter is wire mesh and can be cleaned or replaced ($$). Two o-rings to replace on the cap assembly. I have not had much fun reseating the cap flush with the gear case, but overall a pretty easy job.
Of course, if the 63V is not similar to the 80V......
Having put three through college with two more to go I can't think of a pump that would fit your budget.

Thanks tobnpr suggested a straw :>)

You can clean the wire mesh filter vs. how much to replace? Is the transission fluid critical? I have 3 gallons of new sealed Autozone ATF fluid I would like to use.

Thanks

 

[tc410]

Sorry for the quick hijack....

Do have the part number and source for the O rings? Also, how many quarts and what brand/type/grade oil do you use in your 80V?

Hey, Dom, I'm not Rick, but I'll offer this:

I got the filters from Hale Marine Supply for 38.95 each and they include the o-rings. Not bad, Sea Ray dealer wanted over $80 each. I used 7 quarts per transmission as I recall (the manual is very specific) - exactly the amount that I extracted from each transmission which is also a good sign. I used one of the synthetic ATF fluids recommended on the ZF fluids list.

 

[osd9]

Thanks Jeff. Rick responded via email....I guess he doesn't like hijacks....:grin:

I called a local distributor and they qouted $54.....

 

[wingless]

The five-zone Reverso system I installed pulls the transmission fluid from the location that had the plug.

My thought is when the heat exchanger fails the transmission will be contaminated w/ salt water sitting at the bottom of the sump. Fixing that problem w/o a change system would be iterative, sucking out the fill, replacing, heating-up and sucking, to get most of the water out.