Soave’s Universal M-35V engine is paired with a Hurth HBW150V transmission.
I’ve been thinking about auxiliary propulsion maintenance after seeing a surprising number of boats at the Rendezvous experience propulsion issues. ( I counted 7 of the 35 boats needed assistance ).
I’ve been monitoring a small transmission fluid leak that was present in 2023 when we purchased Soave. The leak hasn’t changed since '23.
I check fluid level regularly and today when I checked it occured to me that the dipstick is different from my farm equipment and that I should verify my process with others familiar with Hurth transmissions.
My understanding is that (with fluid settled) you remove the dipstick, wipe it off, and dip it in without screwing it in and then pull it and read the level. The below photo shows Soave’s transmission fluid level after returning from the rendezvous. We probably did about 12 hours of motoring during the week. The level is close to where it was when we started, but the paper towel in the drip pan under the transmission was red, so we did leak a bit but it was all absorbed by the paper towel.
I’m used to seeing a max and min mark on dipsticks. This one has one mark that I assume is a min mark.
My question is, what fill level do others with this transmission use ? Am I adding more fluid than I should ?
When I purchased Soave the transmission was filled to the hole above the line. I’ve been adding a bit more fluid as shown by the light grey band just above the hole.
Thanks in advance for sharing the process you use for maintaining the correct fluid level.
My first rule of thumb is to get a shop/mechanics manual or owners manual that outlines basic servicing procedures.
I’m a former motorcycle mechanic and always had the model specific books for my personal bikes so there was never any question about what the job entailed.
Rob,
You don’t show the threaded end of the dipstick , I would think that the cap should have some kind of a seal after threading it in. Is there one there perhaps that’s the leaking point.
Brian
Attached is a description of the correct way to measure the ATF level as shown in what I believe was the original Hurth manual for the H150V transmission. It basically agrees with your diagram.
I have the same transmission in my boat and I also have a small leak that requires regular inspection. I found that the leak is from the seal on the forward end of the unit. There is no sealing ring on the dipstick nor is one listed in the parts manual. In the ships papers I found a quote for a new transmission from 2002 as well as some documents from that time mentioning a leak. I guess this has been going on for quite some time. As a matter of interest a new transmission was quoted to me @ 6600 USD with stock in Seattle. I will be having the transmission pulled and rebuilt next spring. One marine transmission shop said that they all leak in varying degrees and a rebuild will not help and another said that he can fix it. I guess that I will see next spring.
Full to the mark it takes.5 of a litre But you’ll not get it all out due to the angle if you have a shaft drive so v gg. C it’s measure the amount drained
Synthetic ATF like Mobile is worth the extra cost
Leaks at the shifter are common and the shaft seal can be easily replaced without draining the oil. Looks there first
Rendezvous
(Lloyd Herman; Rendezvous, 30U/424; Port Washington, NY)
9
My transmission also leaks, has for years and has had 3 or 4 rebuilds. I have agreed with the yard and tranmission shop that additional rebuilds are unlikely to solve the problem.
I just live with the leak and feed it a quart of ATF a year. We motored 41 hours to/from the Rendezvous and checked the tranny daily, switching out the diaper after a full day. Just is one of the things needed to keep it all working.
I have changed the shifter seal ages ago (pre-rebuilds) and it was no big deal.
There is no gasket or such for the dipstick - there should be a metal washer at the top that should be in place when you set the dipstick in to measure the fluid level. When I pull my dipstick, the washer normally stays behind and is not noticed unless you are looking for it.
Good luck with any rebuild. Get a guarantee from the guy who says he can stop the leak . . .
Rendezvous
(Lloyd Herman; Rendezvous, 30U/424; Port Washington, NY)
10
While backing up my computer (which I do manually - I am old school), I noted that I have a 63 page pdf manual for the Hurst 150 v-drive tranny if anyone is interested. Let me know off list and I will put it in a Google Drive folder to share with you.
I also have similar for at least the W27A engine I could share - a tech manual of 110 pgs, an owners manual of 45, and a parts list of 183. They cover more than one engine.
