Checking Transmission Fluid Level

[jedgell]

I have a GT-40 w/ 1:23 transmission and am wondering how to check the trans fluid level correctly. The manual isn't very clear on how to do it and its confusing. I let the boat warm up, and pull the dipstick, clean it off, then put it back in so its just resting on the first o-ring, check the level of the fluid. If its on or close to the first line I assume its OK. Is this correct? Reason I ask this is that my tranny hasn't been engaging as soon as it should, sometimes the throttle starts increasing before it goes in gear. I changed the trans fluid last fall when winterizing, could too much or not enough fluid cause this?
Thanks

[pj]

RE: Checking Transmission Fluid Level

This same thing started happening on my '91 a couple years ago, only in reverse. Check to make sure the shift cable hasn't gotten out of adjustment. I think they can stretch a little bit or something. Unhook the cable from the shift lever on the tranny. Then have someone shift the cable into gear at the helm and then back to neutral. See if the ball socket on the end of the cable lines up with the ball on the lever. If not, just remove the ball from the lever and find a hole that lines up better. That's what we did and it's been shifting perfectly ever since.

[TRBenj]

RE: Checking Transmission Fluid Level

Good advice- sounds like your cable is in need of adjustment. You can make the adjustments on either end, though the transmission side is much easier to get to. If you get near the end of the threads though, you can adjust it on the throttle side as well.

[darrel409]

RE: Checking Transmission Fluid Level

can anyone offer any clarity on the issue of the correct way to measure trans fluid level and get an accurate reading in the 1.23:1? better to be a little over? or under? Thanks

[Revman]

RE: Checking Transmission Fluid Level

I just checked the transmission level in my boat and the procedure in my manual says to have the engine running at an Idle with the Transmission in Neutral, Pull the dipstick straight up and out of the trasmission, Wipe the fluid off of the dipstick with a clean cloth, Push the dipstick Fully into the installed position in Transmission fill hole, Remove dipstick and note level, Add oil if required. My boat is a 97 196 with a Apex engine.

[Rick]

RE: Checking Transmission Fluid Level

I go with revman. If your tranny is slipping 98% of the time it's an adjustment issue. See Pj's post for adjustment.

[mcfr741]

Have had this same issue on my boat, but it only happens after rinning it for a couple of hours at or above half throttle. If i start the boat and make a couple of runs and bring it back to the dock, no problem. If I run for a half hour or more at half throttle or more when I go from neutral to drive the motor revs and slams into gear.

[DanielC]

My 1997 Ski Nautique has 2258.4 hours on it, as of this morning. I actually used the boat as it was designed for, pulling a single slalom skier. I am on a show ski team, and sometimes, the boat pulls two lightweight girls on swivel skis. Other times it pulls four or more barefooters, or jumpers. Or a nine person pyramid, or about that many in a chorus (ballet) line. The boat has also towed jumps, docks, other boats, across lakes, beached houseboats off shore, and some other things that might be considered abuse.

This is how I check the transmission oil level. When changing the fluid, on dry land, level the boat, and put the dipstick in the transmission up to the lower "o" ring. The fluid should be somewhere between the lines.

Launch the boat, and with the boat again level, and the engine running, shift into forward, reverse, and back to neutral. Quickly, and safely with the engine running, and in neutral, check the fluid level again, pushing the dipstick all the way in. between the two marks is OK. If the engine is cold, toward the lower mark is OK, when the engine is hot, and has been run hard, closer to the high mark is OK. Somewhere between the two liines is OK.

Do not shift out of neutral with the dipstick removed from the transmission.