PCM V-drive fluid color yellow?

[Rconautique]

This is my first post. Love the site, couldn't do without it. Just bought a 2007 210 SANTE with excalibur 330. Went to check the v-drive fluid level last night and it was a bright yellow. Level was fine, but I was really surprised by the color. Can anyone ease my mind and please tell me this is normal?! Thanks

[shag]

From what I recall, that should be straight 30W oil, which is not yellow..

[Rconautique]

I think the 30w is for the Walters vdrives. I'm almost positive mine is the PCM power plus vdrive which calls for Mobiltrans SHC 50 Synthetic lubricant. Just haven't figured what color that stuff is when it's new. Hopefully yellow...

[Familyman]

MSDS for Mobiltrans SHC 50 shows color as "Amber" (yellow).. Page 4

[Rconautique]

Yea I saw that MSDS sheet. My v-drive oil is like the color of mustard. I'm thinking it must be from moisture. To check the level, I dipped a screwdriver in one of the fill holes, pulled it out and level was correct but oil looked like mustard. I just noticed though, that the screwdriver I checked it with (I never wiped off the screwdriver) now looks like normal amber colored oil on it. I guess it is emulsified with moisture and after leaving the screwdriver out overnight the water separated and evaporated leaving behind what now looks like normal oil. Guess I'm gonna start by just changing the oil and keep an eye on it.

[Ra140]

Hi did you ever find out if this was right. I have attached a photo of the fluid in my boat and to me it seems like it is the wrong colour but I am not sure of what colour it should be.

[Evening Shade]

Fresh V-drive oil doesn't look opaque like that. It will be a clear yellow similar to vegetable oil. Mine looked just like yours so I changed it. The correct oil is pretty expensive and the only place I could find it is Nautique Parts. Apparently it is no longer offered by Mobil. PCM brand from Nautique Parts is the only one I could find.

[core-rider]

That is classic sign of water mixed with oil! You have moisture from somewhere... Change the oil and run it. Keep a close eye on it for changes. It should never look like the above pic in normal operation. You my have a leak on the heat exchanger or some other way moisture is making it into the v-drive unit, mixing to make that frothy look.

[Evening Shade]

I just wonder if its condensation that contaminates the oil. Mine looked the same before I changed it. The oil level was at the bottom of the range on the dipstick. This tells me that there was actually very little water in the oil. If there was a water leak I would expect the oil level to be high.

[shag]

It may take several oil changes to get the fluid to normal... I would say you get water in there somehow...

[core-rider]

I just wonder if its condensation that contaminates the oil. Mine looked the same before I changed it. The oil level was at the bottom of the range on the dipstick. This tells me that there was actually very little water in the oil. If there was a water leak I would expect the oil level to be high.

It would take an awful lot of condensation to make oil that milky IMHO...

[homer12]

First thing I thought when I saw both of those pictures was oil in the water making it "milky". to the OP, since you just bought this boat and don't know all it's history, maybe this the bilge had been full of water more than once and got in that way through the cap. Hopefully it is not something worse. I'd do as others change at least 1-2x and keep an eye on it ever 2-3 times out.

[Ra140]

Great guys thanks for all the advice. Its tricky to get the fluid in Europe but I am sure I will find an alternative somewhere. For info this is the response I got from Mobil when I asked what the alternative was.

"Mobil Delvac Synthetic Transmission Fluid 50 would be the current product, unfortunately this product is not sold in Europe and is not part of our standard International Marine offer either. No direct alternative to offer in Europe"

I read somewhere that once the fluid is drained it is worth flushing it with diesel before putting the new fluid in, any thoughts on that? thanks

[IMScarlet]

I know Total do an equivalent oil so that should be available in Europe let me know if you need to know exact product let me know as I have some in the workshop

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[josemolino]

Great guys thanks for all the advice. Its tricky to get the fluid in Europe but I am sure I will find an alternative somewhere. For info this is the response I got from Mobil when I asked what the alternative was.

"Mobil Delvac Synthetic Transmission Fluid 50 would be the current product, unfortunately this product is not sold in Europe and is not part of our standard International Marine offer either. No direct alternative to offer in Europe"

I read somewhere that once the fluid is drained it is worth flushing it with diesel before putting the new fluid in, any thoughts on that? thanks

Hola from Barcelona,
Regarding sic 50, I checked with oil experts and I am using Gearbox/Transmission oil 75w90. You can use any brand: some examples
Castrol Syntrans Transaxle 75w90,
MOTUL MOTYLGEAR 75w90,

Regarding drain with diesel... I´ve never heard about it. In fact, that V-drive is almost maintenance free. The only thing to do is to check level (and refill if needed) after the break-in period and may be once a year. My experience is that you do not need to touch it for years (7 years in may last boat...)
Ciao,

Jose