Velvet Drive Question

[k9th]

I'm assuming these transmissions have some sort of clutch. This weekend while returning to the dock I was in and out of neutral as usual maneuvering to my slip. It appeared that the starboard side was not getting as much "bite" as usual when going into forward. It ran fine at cruise speed and I didn't notice any real difference on the way out the channel while the engine & tranny were still warming up.

What are the symptoms of failure of the clutch and the entire transmission?

[1995 390 express]

tim-the transmissions are all clutches- no gears like a manuel car. first check your fluid level after you have run them while hot-NOT RUNNING. if it smells or looks burnt id change it- theh check to be sure its going completely into forward and reverse and may be adjust cable. if it cures nothing you may be looking at a rebuild GOOD LUCK

[aweimer]

I'm assuming these transmissions have some sort of clutch. This weekend while returning to the dock I was in and out of neutral as usual maneuvering to my slip. It appeared that the starboard side was not getting as much "bite" as usual when going into forward. It ran fine at cruise speed and I didn't notice any real difference on the way out the channel while the engine & tranny were still warming up.

What are the symptoms of failure of the clutch and the entire transmission?

Fluid is probably the issue. Changed mine this season and it made a HUGE difference at idle speeds.

Just used my oil sucker. Warmed them up, sucked them dry, quickly fired the engines (2-5 sec) which pumped the rest out of the cooler to suck out. Refiled (Type-F Trans Fluid), warmed up, topped it off. Took all of an hour to do both.

I've had her for 4 seasons now, this was the first time changing it since I"ve owned her, based on the manual i've got, should change them every 150 hours.

[prowlersfish]

check the idle speed of the engine also .

[k9th]

Thanks for the replies, and I am going to check the fluid level next weekend. Both engines were "idling" at about 900 going in and out of gear when I arrived back at the marina.

When I first start both engines, the port side idles about 650 and starboard at about 800 out of gear. When the trannies are cold right after starting the engines and I back out of the slip, both put a noticeable load on the engines - but port side more than starboard. The engines run for about 5-8 minutes while I get everything disconnected before leaving the dock.

I was surprised when returning that I went in and out of gear with no noticeable change in RPM. I just had the carbs rebuilt so I guess I was paying closer attention to the RPMs since this was my first time away from the dock. I usually just bring it back to idle and maneuver to the dock. Our water is still quite cool at about 55-60F maximum in the marina.