ZF Transmission oil change??

Thanks for the comments Frank. I'll make sure I get that port transmission screen serviced. I'll just have to get an extension on the socket drive for leverage because it may never have been checked, even though the fluids get changed regularly.

James
 
I have a set of ZF280's on the Cummins 4560's and the placement defys access to the screens. One must pull the entire starboard post elbo exhaust system and then lift the entire engine 6 inches to get the screen exposed to remove, thank god Sea Ray made the Port tranny easir, you need to lift the engine!

Oh, and I love the part where there is no filtration on the tranny's. Every install I've seen on this Cummins/ZF 280 rig has a inline filter, but not the after fit for SR how come?
 
I searched , there is a lot of transmission posts, but I can't find what I'm looking for.

I have ZF 325-1A transmissions, and am getting ready to change the oil, it seems regular 30 weight oil is recomended. They have spin on HF6351 filters, but I also see what appears to be about a 3/4" Hex socket head cap screw on the rear of the trans (To the left of the output shaft in the photo). Is that the filter screen? and is it 3/4"? I need to buy the tool.

When refilling can I just pour the new oil down the dipstick hole or do I need to remove the plug.

zf3251a.gif
 
How often should you change the transmission oil anyway?
 
Well I found a drawing that shows that plug, Number 6 in the drawing. They label it "Oil Filter Cover", So I assume that is the screen. Now, what about just filling it through the dipstick hole?

TransFilter.jpg
 
Doesn't look like to me that you have any other choice than to fill through the dipstick hole. I've certainly done it albeit on a different model ZF transmission.
 
yes, dipstick hole

asureyez, did a 280 coupling last year, vulcanized, i could not find it no where cheaper than 1800.00 for the coupling...had to post cause it sticks out in my mind.
 
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Hampton's did it.

Yes, changed the tranny fluids again today. Cleaned the original filters for the first time. Some shavings, but not too bad. (Saved them since last fluid change.)

Castrol's Domestic Multi-Car ATF no longer says "Dexron III" on it. It says "Castrol Dex/Merc, not for Dexron VI." I had my wife get on line and look it up. It is Dex III. $13.57/gallon at the mart of Wal, a place I infrequent.

It was much easier to get the tops off of the filters this time - the paint seal was broken. I removed the tranny coolers and found quite a bit of small strands of grass in one end (input) of each.

During re-assemby, don't know if anyone else wrote this, it's easiest to attach the filter to the bottom of the cover by pushing it onto the fitting with the O-ring on it, then lowering that assy into the hole. This way, you know the top is on all of the way and the filter is sealed correctly.
 
Greg,

You can put it in the dipstick hole if you want... I guess... but that's not where you are supposed to put it in. There is a filler plug on the top of the thing.

Where did you get that filter number?

Also, I don't recall the size of that plug for the screen. I'll have to look but I do remember buying it at Northern Tool and it has one use.
 
I saw the fill plug, but it seemed like it would be easier to just use the dipstick hole. Access is easier, plus then I don't have to worry about paint chips getting in the trans from cracking open the fill plug.

The filter number I got from the filters that were on there, Fleetguard HF6351, plus there were two spares on the boat. Please tell me they are ok and they are not restricting the flow of oil and burning up my transmissions.

I put a caliper on the socket, it seems to be about 0.75", so I guess I'll get that and maybe an 18mm if I see it.
 
I don't know if that's the right filter or not. I know you can use non-ZF filters and I've seen some cross reference numbers somewhere (boatdiesel?). I don't recall a Fleetguard filter but do recall a Fram one (how about ugly orange on the white transmission). I just use the ZF ones... The part numbers are French though.
 
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