Engine oil or ATF for MS25-L gearbox?

TSB240

TSB240

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I have an MS25-L Hurth water cooled gearbox attached to an MD22 engine on a 1999 Oceanis.

The data plate is missing but there is a large ATF plate by the dipstick bolt head and recommended torque setting.

My google research throws up ATF or engine oil can be used for this Box but should never be mixed at top up.

I have not been able to establish what lubricant the previous owners used.
I have rather lost confidence in their maintenance since I found they never greased the volvo shaft seal in their ownership.

I assume my best plan is to drain all of the existing oil and start again with Dextron III. Which is primarily recommended for Hurth ZF boxes.

Are there any implications if they have used engine oil?
 
It gets even more confusing as I have now found an on line manual that covers the MD22 engine and the gearbox .
It recommends a Volvo Penta part no 1142572-6 a fully synthetic API GL5 75W/90
This is a transmission gear oil?
 
TSB240 said:
It gets even more confusing as I have now found an on line manual that covers the MD22 engine and the gearbox .
It recommends a Volvo Penta part no 1142572-6 a fully synthetic API GL5 75W/90
This is a transmission gear oil?
Click to expand...
I looked at the MD22 manual as well.
I was puzzled but then realised it was specifying GL5 for the -E version of an MS2 gear box !

MS2 and MS25 gearboxes are very different animals.. MS2 boxes are the old ones with cone clutches. The MS25 has multiple disc clutches.
ITYWF that the -E versions of MS2 boxes were used in older versions of the more powerful engines, such as the MD22.
 
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In the process of rummaging through various lockers and drawers I have found.
A blue date plate with the gearbox type stamped MS25L-E.

I also found some VP 75W/90 transmission oil in the spares locker.

Alongside it was an unused plastic container of ATF! (Note to self check steering hydraulics?)
After removing the dipstick plug I found some nice clear thick gear oil that smells and feels remarkable like the VP TO

So why put a sticker on the gearbox saying ATF!
 
TSB240 said:
In the process of rummaging through various lockers and drawers I have found.
A blue date plate with the gearbox type stamped MS25L-E.
I also found some VP 75W/90 transmission oil in the spares locker.
Alongside it was an unused plastic container of ATF! (Note to self check steering hydraulics?)
After removing the dipstick plug I found some nice clear thick gear oil that smells and feels remarkable like the VP TO

So why put a sticker on the gearbox saying ATF!
Click to expand...

Because it should be filled with ATF.

The VP chart says ATF
The engine manual says ATF
The label on the box says ATF

BUT to make absolutely sure check with a reputable VP agent in case a later Service bulletin has been issued specifying a change to GL5
 
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Volvo Penta engineers recommended the same engine oil for my gear box ( same as mine) and for my engine MD2040 and that’s what I have done.
I have recently had need to check the hydraulic steering oil and found that to be red ATF and a forumite concurred that ATF Dexron II to be suitable. ?
 
ATF and engine oil are very different animals, so this seems to be an odd instruction. ATF has the highest boundary lubricant (EP) loading of any oil, intended to separate highly loaded, non-hydrodynamic steel contacts, whereas engine oils have a small EP loading, mainly to cope with cam and follower contacts. EP oils fall somewhere between.

It seems to me that 'either ATF or EP' makes sense but not this one.
 
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