Gearbox oil change frequency and tips please.

[Guan]

Just remembered that I've NOT done any oil change to the gearbox for umpteen years!!!
Please kindly advice thanks Guys.

 

[kappykaplan]

General rule of thumb is 100 operating hours.

 

[walmsleyc]

What engine?

Yanmar Operations Manual for GM series engines suggests every 250 hours. (reminds me, I need to
do mine!)

Chris

 

[Ken13559]

For Yanmar GM and YM series, it typically used Kanzaki KM2P gearbox. You can use same oil for crankcase and gearbox. So whenever you change crankcase oil, change gearbox oil as well. Easy to track this way.

Ken Y

 

[Benny17441]

The transmission is an enclosed chamber with no combustion or other chemical by-products. The enemy of oil viscocity is heat. I will inspect the oil and if I do not notice any metal shavings and the viscocity (oily thickness) is good I would not worry. Some transmissions use ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) which is usually redish in color and when it fouls up it turns brownish. If you are going to replace the oil or ATF I would recommend you use Synthetic Fluids as it is more resistant to heat and viscocity breakdown. I have not changed my fluid in three years and pretty much I just check the level periodically.

 

[Guan]

thanks again,as always so very helpful.

 

[NYSail]

I change my transmission oil each fall when I change engine oil. Yanmar / kanzaki transmissions typically stamp type
and amount of oil on the plate. Mine uses straight 30 weight oil. Easy job and well worth the .5 liters it takes. The way mine sits I pull out all the oil.

Greg