Beta 20 gearbox woes

[Ammonite]

I've just checked the oil in my TMC40 gearbox and it's properly black, even though it was changed less than 200 hours ago by my local Beta dealer and was a nice golden colour last time I checked (I think the original advice from Beta was to use engine oil for this model (1997) although I appreciate this has now been updated to ATF)

The gearbox itself seems to be working fine so what do I do next? Replace with ATF and monitor the situation or investigate further? I haven't really the time or the expertise to strip the gearbox and it looks like I would need to remove the engine to get the gearbox out. I think a new box is in the region of £500 + fitting so l'm guessing it doesn't make much sense to have someone rebuild it either given the hours involved.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ruffles]

Your gearbox appears to use cones as does mine. I found similarly dirty oil one service. I could actually see bits in it. I reckon it had been run for an extended period with the selection fork rubbing. I believe the design is such that they should shift back slightly once the gear is selected. If the gear is only just engaged it could rub. Just a theory.

So it's worth checking that the gear selection cable correctly adjusted. Our gearbox oil has been completely clean ever since. That was probably eight years ago!

PS: I actually kept the oil with the intention of having it tested but never got round to it.

 

[Ammonite]

Ruffles - you've given me hope!

I think the problem may be due to my new fish smoker, or at least a lot of low speed motoring attempting to catch mackerel! I have a sneaking feeling the box may not be fully in gear at such slow speeds and l may need to adjust the morse controls (a new unit was fitted last year). At least that's what I am clinging on to until someone else dashes my hopes