Yanmar 3GM Gearbox oil change ?

[affinite]

Every year I change my engine oil as part of the annual service but I havent done anything with the gearbox oil. In other words do you think I should change gearbox oil at the same time as the engine oil? There doesnt seem to be any reference to gearbox oil in the engine manual and I dont have a separate gearbox manual. Thx

 

[MASH]

Download the workshop manual here.

http://www.motoren.ath.cx/menus/yanmar.html

I've got a feeling they don't specify an oilchange period for geearboxes - it is completely self-contained and different oil -
it certainly doesn't need to be changed annually, I think the suggestion is merely to keep it topped up, and as leaks are blindingly obvious that's a pretty rare event.

I'm not even sure if it has a drain plug - you may need to suck it out - which won't get to any sludge, at the bottom, or remove it and turn it upside down which is a bit drastic for an oil change.

Have a look at the manual.

 

[Gaz22]

Didnt read the manual but most G/B like a fresh drink of oil every year, remember G/B are not just Directional units they have to deal with large amounts of thrust from the prop.

l have had to change out or repair many G/B due to lack of oil changes, and if you have a cone G/B the initial oil change the manufacturer recommends is very important.

 

[rickf]

my experience, with volvo, either using regular 30w oil
or transmission fluid is change every 200 hours or every year.

rickf
s/v calaloo

 

[affinite]

Thanks guys - think I'll change it next time.

 

[MASH]

[ QUOTE ]
my experience, with volvo, either using regular 30w oil or transmission fluid is change every 200 hours or every year.

[/ QUOTE ]

When you say "in my experience" what are you saying? That this has been oficially recommended? Or that you just prefer to do this?

Annual gearbox oil changes in a Yannie is five to ten times over the top. Totally unnecessary,and based on no reliable advice that I've ever heard, least of all from Yanmar.

If you know different I'll gladly eat humble pie, (and change my own g-box oil too) but please justify your statement of "annually or 200hrs"....Are you perhaps getting this confused with engine oil, which is an entirely different kettle of fish?

Or could it be that you are talking Volvo, which is possibly quite different to a Yanmar????

With all those corrosive combustion products, high temperatures etc I'd agree - for engine oil...but not a lazy cold gearbox.

 

[misterg]

GM series (1, 2 & 3 GM- ) Operators Manual that I have specifies initial engine & g'box oil change at 50 hours, then both every 150 hours after that.

The GM/HM maintenance manual specifies initial engine oil changes at 20, then 30 hours, then every 100 hours after that (oil filter every 300 hrs), with g'box oil changes every 250 hours.

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Take your pick...

Andy

 

[charles_reed]

Rule of thumb, change the gearbox oil every 2nd engine oil change.

 

[affinite]

Ive owned the boat for 6 years and have only topped up the gearbox oil every now and then. I dont have the engine log handy but shes also done a few engine hours (Med cruising for you !) - so I'll change it. Now to find what oil type ?