I have a Hurth 150V transmission on my 30 Ultra.
There is a slight leak of transmission fluid that drips off of the actuating lever where it connects to the shifter cable/rod. Apparently the fluid is leaking past the 'radial sealing ring' that seals the actuating cam assembly and makes its way down the lever to the cable/rod.
It doesn't drip so much that the transmission fluid level is noticably lower, though I did top it off a few months ago, though it does drip when the transmission has been engaged. We are only talking a few to a dozen or so drops with an hour or two of running, but these drips don't usually fix themselves.
Does anyone have experience with something like this, and is it an easy maintenance fix, ie remove the actuator lever, pry out the sealing ring, press a new sealing ring into place, reconnect lever... done? Or is it considerably more involved... ie I should have a qualified mechanic do the job?
Many thanks,
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKE WALK III
1987 30 Ultra 430
Jersey City, NJ
Peter: Are you sure when you topped it off, you didn't overfill it?? This could caused overpresurization in the trans and could make the seal leak. The last time I looked at that lever assembly, it seemed simple enough to replace that seal.
Hi Joe,
I was happy/relieved when we heard you came through Florence ok!
It was dripping prior to my topping off, guess that is why it was low originally.
Since topping off, I began to monitor it more closely and consistently to determine the rate of leak.
It is very possible that I may have over filled it somewhat... perhaps that is adding to the leak?... should I remove some fluid to make sure I have the correct level...
But as noted, it was leaking before I topped off.
Fwiw, I have always wiped the actuating lever connection (nigh on 20 years) when doing my daily oil check and always found a red smear there-- doesn’t seem to be an issue with trannie oil level so I have blithely ignored it.
Bill Baxter
Persistence NS30 #507
Now on the hard in Penetang
You check the level as Joe indicated with the dip stick resting on the top. not screwed in.
I replaced my seal and it is a easy fix. However there are out of spec seals out there, they have a green ring on them. The correct one has a black or grey ring and the fit should be snug not loose in any fashion. If you have a bearing supplier near by the seal is a common size or any Hurth dealer has them.
On my Hurth 50 I did not have to drain the fluid to change the seal. Remove the 4 bolts holding the plate and the whole assembly comes out. Make sure that the shift arm makes a full length of travel and "clunks" into position when going from F to R when you reassemble.
