Trojan Boat Forum

While changing my oil I noticed about a cup of pink fluid in my port engin bilge. I think it is transmission fluid. I added some when I checked the level about a month ago. I checked and added when the the transmissions was cold. Does this matter and will the overage make its way into the bilge? Where should I start looking? This is the second time I have noticed the fluid after I added fluid. My mechanical skills are limited to changing oil and fluid checks.

On my F32, a trans fluid cooler corroded through, causing a mixture of trans fluid and saltwater coming out the wet exhaust. Looked like a strawberry milkshake. Unless it's leaking out somewhere, you almost never have to add fluid.

Are you saying you only see the leak after you add it? Are you turning the dipstick handle after it's reinstalled? That's what expands the rubber plug. I've found a lot of people don't know that on the VD units and just pull them in/out. That doesn't account for the initial low reading....

Is your bilge pretty clean? There are only a couple of places they leak fluid. The Output seal which is where the shaft coupler bolts up to is a pretty common spot. The vent tube on top is another but that means there is something else wrong creating high pressure or high fluid which then vents out the top.

Bob

On my 10 Meter, one of the hoses from the cooler had a cracked flare on the end of the hose that goes to the back of the transmission near the bottom. On the port transmission this hose connection can be seen between the transmission and the inner stringer. On the Starboard engine it is on the Hull side of the transmission.

Just had a new hose made up. The co-op on 94 can make these up.

My port transmission also leaks. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to find the source. Finally put a diaper under it. Did go to a new dipstick, which cut it back some but still have fluid showing up. Hadn't thought about the hose fittings. I'll check that out.

I'm pretty sure the plug is snug. I will check the transmission level this weekend. I have only noticed this twice and after I have added fluid. Like I said I checked and add fluid when the boat had been sitting for a week. I'm hoping I overfilled it. I did not know about the overflow vent.

Hmmm.... I am under the impression that one needs to check the fluid after running for a while so that the oil is hot 190 deg and the cooler is full, for me it is a two person job I need a driver. In your explanation of filling cold you could be overfilling. Look at the sticky's above for transmission manuals. Mine is here http://rnr-marine.com/TROJAN/Borg-Warne ... Manual.pdf pg:7 describes oil check procedure.

Thanks michael. I thought I might be overfilling. I will check hot next time.

ready123 wrote:....one needs to check the fluid after running for a while so that the oil is hot.....

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Check the level right after you shut the engine down. Do yourself a favour; once you have the correct level at the proper temp, let her cool down, check the level and etch a cold level mark on the dipstick.

Big D wrote:

ready123 wrote:....one needs to check the fluid after running for a while so that the oil is hot.....

+++
Check the level right after you shut the engine down. Do yourself a favour; once you have the correct level at the proper temp, let her cool down, check the level and etch a cold level mark on the dipstick.

What are the chances of variations in the quantity of fluid draining back from the cooler? Or in your experience this variation is small?

Really depends on the application and how the cooler is mounted and lines are run. If you took ten boats with ten cold marks, chances are you'd have ten different cold mark locations.

A popular leaking item on these transmission is the shift shaft seal. It is a o-ring on the shift shaft just inside the shift linkage. It will run down the side of the transmission and a small leak will look like a lot. The way to check this is to wade up a piece of paper towel and stuff it in that pocket on inside the shift linkage. If it turns pink then you found your leak..I have had to change this more than once.