Hurth BW50 Transmission

Dec 5, 2015
121
Oday 272LE Louisville, KY
I have a quick question. My Hurth transmission has never leaked. When I winterized this year, I followed a recommendation to fully fill the transmission so that there wasn't any room for condensation. I went aboard to check my boat today and found that some fluid had leaked out. Did I damage my seals by filling the transmission?
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,519
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Over fill and not running the transmission should not have damaged the seals. Check the fill tube for dribble down the sides. Fill to the brim then closing the cap can cause seepage to happen when the cap is replaced.
Open the cap. Reduce the excess to fill level and then clean up the fluid around the tranny. Once you have a clean area put a white pad down and start the engine. Tie up to the pier and then engage the transmission. Let it run till the temp is warm then check the pad. If the seal was the source you should see evidence on the pad.

If it was an over fill issue it was just spill. Untie the lines and go have some fun.
 
Dec 5, 2015
121
Oday 272LE Louisville, KY
Thanks! I think that I panicked. I vacummed the fluid up and there was only a very small amount of actual transmission fluid and the rest was pink antifreeze. I am on the hard until mid May, so I can't run the engine in gear for a long time.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,519
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
@StanleyJ no problem. Just put a white oil collection pad down till spring. If you have any seeping it will be easy to see. Then come May you can put her back in the water. The pad will help to remind you to do a run up. And it will give you evidence that all is ok or that you have more to investigate.
 
Sep 17, 2012
115
Morgan 383 Fairhaven, NY
Who told you to completely fill the transmission? Sounds like nonsense to me. Just change the oil in the fall after running the trans to normal operating temp. Do the same thing with your engine. So they sit in clean oil for the winter. Everything will be fine in the spring. IMHO
 
May 20, 2016
3,015
Catalina 36 MK1 94 Everett, WA
Who told you to completely fill the transmission? Sounds like nonsense to me. Just change the oil in the fall after running the trans to normal operating temp. Do the same thing with your engine. So they sit in clean oil for the winter. Everything will be fine in the spring. IMHO
The Hurth manual tells you to do such Nonsense. They give condensation as a reason and then only if your Boat will sit unused all winter.
 

splax

.
Nov 12, 2012
694
Hunter 34 Portsmouth
Who told you to completely fill the transmission? Sounds like nonsense to me. Just change the oil in the fall after running the trans to normal operating temp. Do the same thing with your engine. So they sit in clean oil for the winter. Everything will be fine in the spring. IMHO
I concur.
 
Apr 11, 2010
992
Hunter 38 Whitehall MI
The Hurth manual tells you to do such Nonsense. They give condensation as a reason and then only if your Boat will sit unused all winter.
I don't have a Hurth anymore but you are 100% correct that the Hurth manual tells you do do that.
Unlike many people I'm one of those rare - OK maybe weird people - that enjoys reading manuals for the things I own. Always surprising what things I've learned by reading the manufacturers recommendations. :)
 
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