Mechanic in Austin, TX

[chris196]

Hi, I have a 1998 ski nautique with GT40 and pcm 40A transmission.
At end of last season noticed a large amount of ATF in my bilge. Tranny dipstick showed ATF barely registering. I've done some very light diagnosis and think it's a front seal as the ATF seems to be coming from the joint between the bell housing & tranny.
The local nautique dealer in Austin was acquired by MarineMax and new policy is don't work on anything over 20 years old.
This is a pretty easy job, I believe, if you know what you're doing. SN engine and tranny access is so easy.

I've tried a few places around here and getting crickets.
Anyone have any recommendations for the Austin area?
I know things are going to get real busy real soon as whenever we have a really deep freeze like we just did, lots of cracked blocks.

thanks,
Chris

[SilentSeven]

You're likely correct on the front tranny seal. I did mine and it wasn't that hard of job really....but everything is relative of course. There are a few decent vids on YouTube about pulling a transmission on a direct drive if you're interested...

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

[Super Dave]

Definitely some good videos out there. The guys at SKIDIM recently posted a video that’ll show you how to remove the transmission without a lift. I replaced mine with very limited mechanical knowledge and common tools. You could probably buy a whole new transmission for what a shop would charge to change the seals.

[SilentSeven]

I did my direct drive without a lift. A simplified outline is....Pull the motor box and the aft floorboard. Remove the manifold exhaust hoses and the muffler. Undo the transmission to drive shaft flange. Undo various linkages and water hoses. Loosen the front motor mounts to allow the engine to pivot down in front/up in back. Remove the rear motor mounts brackets.. Rotate the engine down in front/up in back, raising the transmission off the floor. Block the bottom to the engine so the transmission is elevated. Undo the 4 transmission housing bolts. Slide the transmission aft and out. I was surprised at how relatively light the transmission was....maybe 60lbs. I was easily able to handle it. Changing the seal is super easy once the transmission is out... Installation is the reverse of course but you do need align (or have aligned) the engine/shaft setup before running. Assuming your motor mounts are not rusted in a manner that prevents alignment...two semi reasonable shade tree mechanics should be able to do a 'first time' end to end job in 4 to 6 hours. I say two as it's really helpful to have a second set a hands when you are rotating and blocking the engine...also when aligning. I bet after doing a couple, you can get really pretty fast....

Now a V-drive...that would be another story!