ZF transmission on survey has water

[dcwjd]

I‘m I the process of surveying a boat and the starboard transmission gear has water in it. The lab couldn’t give an accurate reading of any metals due to the water. What should I do? Walk away or demand exactly what from the seller?

 

[Stee6043]

It's pretty common for trans coolers to develop a leak and introduce water into the oil. If it's caught early enough it can certainly be addressed before being catastrophic, at least in fresh water.

Is this salt? I'd probably walk if it was a salt water boat...tranny's are expensive.

 

[brewster16]

For starters I would certainly want to see documentation of the maintenance history on the boat. I would not buy any boat without that information.

 

[dcwjd]

It's pretty common for trans coolers to develop a leak and introduce water into the oil. If it's caught early enough it can certainly be addressed before being catastrophic, at least in fresh water.

Is this salt? I'd probably walk if it was a salt water boat...tranny's are expensive.

It salt. Boat is in Florida

 

[dcwjd]

For starters I would certainly want to see documentation of the maintenance history on the boat. I would not buy any boat without that information.

Plenty of maintenance history on the boat. I don’t believe tranny fluid was ever changed. 480hrs are on the boat.

 

[Great lakes pirate]

What does a new transmission and cooler cost to replace? You could always ask the seller to deduct the replacement cost off the price of the boat. What year is the boat? I would be a bit uneasy about the seller not ever changing out the trans fluid.

 

[dcwjd]

What does a new transmission and cooler cost to replace? You could always ask the seller to deduct the replacement cost off the price of the boat. What year is the boat? I would be a bit uneasy about the seller not ever changing out the trans fluid.

Trans fluid was just changed 1/2024. It's likely the cooler/seal failed. MarineMax is getting involved now as the seller has the platinum passport warranty on the boat which is an 18.

 

[Skybolt]

When you say water, is the oil milky pink like strawberry quick or is it still fairly clean?

Personally, if fairly clean, low ball the boat more and plan on replacing coolers and tranny oil change(s). But if very milky, walk away.

 

[brewster16]

A single Transmission/fuel cooler combination was $1250.00 for my boat. Keep in mind my boat has Cummins QSC engines which are obviously diesel.