And now, a Leak
I was going to start a new transmission thread around my problem... which is a just-discovered oil leak. Upon some thought, this is just another "
woe."
Basics: Engine is a 1988 23 hp Universal M25XP. 1863 hours on it.
It is not a major leak, yet.... but appears to be coming from somewhere in the area of the shifter (starboard side of the case). It is really difficult to get a clear look at it. There is only about 10 fl. oz of ATF in this tranmission. Any sort of significant leak would quickly destroy the trans.
Loss seems to be a few drops of red atf after 3 hours run time @ 2500 rpm, last weekend.
Prelude: I just added about an oz to the trans after finding some loose atf oil under the engine this spring when cleaning everything up... So it could have leaked out last fall, for all I know. The atf was under the drip pad beneath the engine and not visible until I removed the pad to replace it as part of the spring oil and filter change.
So, what to do?
Anyone have any experience with a leaking Hurth (probably a model 50) of this vintage?? I have done some on-line research and find that Hurth is nowadays ZF. This model is long out of production. The new replacement would be either a ZF6M or the longer and stronger ZF10M. If replacing, the length of the new ones is about an inch more than the original model 50, per one web site table I found. Moving the engine mounts forward is do-able but not desirable, or I could probably shorten the shaft an inch which requires a haul out.
Biggest hassle would be moving the engine forward about six feet into the cabin to get at the bell housing and trans. That's about 270# of recalcitrant diesel that would be really hard to get a grip on, being under the bridge deck.
Plan B is just to live with it and hope it does not get worse... However, in order to get to the broad waters and spacious sailing of Puget Sound and the delights of the Ericson Rendezvous, we
have to be able to motor hard, north, against prevailing wind and off shore currents, for at least 28 straight hours. This is not optional. Summer conditions can often be 7 footers at 10 seconds... Slamming into it and hanging on is required and sometimes one's inner ear coping can be tested a bit.
I have done this at least 20 times in almost as many different boats over the years. Some trips were on flat water, most were not.
If staying in the Columbia River estuary for the summer cruising season or even sortieing up to Grays Harbor for a nice ocean day trip, one can stretch one's maint. $$ a bit further, any keep one's towing insurance paid up.
Doing the Full Monty, for us Portland sailors, like a bash up the length of Washington coast to the Juan De Fuca Straits or better yet to Barkley Sound, calls for
100% faith in the drive train of any boat, sail or power.
So, based on limited information, there are suddenly some summer cruising decisions to make.
Least of which is to try and decide if it's better to spend several thousand $ on labor and parts on the trans. or just to drop in a new engine/trans for 7K.
Anyone with some Hurth-related thoughts on leaks, seals, and related prognostications may chime in at this point -- Please!
Thanks!!
:nerd:
Regards,
Loren