25.5 w 1gm10 - Trans oil check

[John]

I have been trying to find a way to easily check the oil level in the trnasmission of the 1GM10 on a Hunter 25.5. The engine compartment bulkheads make it all but impossible to check the dip stick from the rear of the engine and the thing cannot be seen from the front. I have used a mirror to check the level and laboriously added oil before, but would like to change it. What are people doing or what have they done to complete this task on this boat? I did try to remove the rear engine compartment bulkhead/panel, but noise reduction insultation in the compartment was covering areas where I assume some screws hold one side (starboard) and stopped.

 

[Brad]

John...

I've got the same setup - 25.5 with a 1gm10, and there's no easy way I've found. From the front, I insert myself over the top of the engine with a socket, extention and ratchet, and loosen the cap, which on my boat can be seen if you're hovering over it. I pull it (and me) out, wipe it, then go back in and re-insert it. The reading is taken with the stick in the unscrewed position, thankfully. After the re-insertion it's back out to take a look at the reading. I'll only check it a few times a season, with an oil change once a year, so while not my favorite job, it's infrequent enough. Good luck.

 

[Dave Weir]

Trans Oil/Pretzel

John,I have the same set-up and got tired of acting like a pretzel. The rear plywood panel can be easily removed by removing the floor panel covering the stuffing box and muffler, then withdrawing 6 bronze screws from the rear panel. This gives very easy access to the transmission and also to the secondary fuel filter. I generally check/change transmission oil and change filters at the same time. Removing or replacing the panel takes less than 2 minutes.Good luck.Dave Weirh25.5 "Last Resort"