Transmission Fluid Type

[drchpete]

Does anyone know the type of transmission fluid to use in my
Kanzaki KM4A tranny which is attached to my Yanmar 4jh3te?

It looks kind of orange as opposed to the pink Dextron III I used to use in my Hurth tranny on my Universal engine.

 

[Scott B]

What you should be using is SAE30 or Engine oil.......

http://www.yanmarhelp.com/i_box2.htm


and a good discussion on why to use the different type of oils....

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=140872&#post918246

 

[faisond]

Hold up on adding SAE 30 engine oil unless you are confident that's what that tranny requires!! Some units require automatic transmission fluid. You need to verify the proper fluid from a Yanmar manual or other reference.

 

[Scott B]

Hold up on adding SAE 30 engine oil unless you are confident that's what that tranny requires!! Some units require automatic transmission fluid. You need to verify the proper fluid from a Yanmar manual or other reference.

Did you read the information from Yanmarhelp.com in the link I provided. It is a very reliable source of information..... I'm not just making thus up !!!

 

[faisond]

Here's a link to a Yanmar Help. It turns out that SAE 30 is the proper oil for your model tranny. http://www.yanmarhelp.com/i_box2.htm

 

[Scott B]

Here's a link to a Yanmar Help. It turns out that SAE 30 is the proper oil for your model tranny. http://www.yanmarhelp.com/i_box2.htm

That's the exact same link I had above.......

Just for additional reference, the Yanmar data sheet....

http://www.yanmar.es/theme/yanmares/uploadedFiles/engine_files/Gears/outline KM4A-2.pdf

 

[Benny17441]

All KM A series transmissions are rated for engine oil with SAE 30 being the preffered choice for most climates but to be sure you need to check the plate in your transmission as it will indicate the type of oil required. I have found that although ATF will work in these transmissions it suffers from a rather high consumption rate making frequent top offs necessary. With the proper oil and no visible leaks they oil level should remain unaffected for a long time. It is not uncommon for dealers and mechanics to recommend the wrong kind of oil by mistake so hence "CHECK the PLATE".

 

[drchpete]

Follow up on Tranny Fluid / oil

Thanks guys. Yanmar help page was informative but did state SAE 30 or Engine oil. My engine oil is 15w-40. I guess that means either is OK, but I will find the plate and check it before doing anything.

1 - If it says "SAE 30 or 15w-40 ", any reason I shouldn't go with the 15w-40? (Seems easier to carry one type of oil.)

2 - If indeed that is tranny fluid in the case do I have to somehow clean or flush the stuff out by adding oil and draining it a few times?

 

[Benny17441]

15W-40 is a variable viscocity oil. When used in an engine it will be 15 weight when the engine is cold and will thicken to between 30 and 40 weight at operating temperature. You may notice that the transmission runs a lot cooler than the engine and the oil is not under pressure so the variable viscocity oil may not thicken much beyond 15 W and as a result you may be running a thinner oil than recommended by the manufacturer. To get the ATF out of the tranny use a pump with a small rubber tube that can be inserted down into the sump. The same type of pump used for oil changes. Refill with the appropiate oil (likely W30) and just run it. It has been my experience that remaining traces of ATF just burn off or blend in and just dissapear. If it would make you feell better change the oil once after 25 hours.

 

[drchpete]

30W it is. Thanks Benny and everyone else.

 

[drchpete]

Amount / level of transmission fluid

After pumping out and refilling the transmission oil with 1.3 L as required, the dipstick read overfilled. I had to pump off another pint or so to get it back down. Does this simply mean I didn't get all of he old oil out? It sure made that sucking sound from the suction tube. Do I believe the dipstick or the amount called for. I did not screw the dipstick in when checking.

 

[Tally Ho]

After pumping out and refilling the transmission oil with 1.3 L as required, the dipstick read overfilled. I had to pump off another pint or so to get it back down. Does this simply mean I didn't get all of he old oil out? It sure made that sucking sound from the suction tube. Do I believe the dipstick or the amount called for. I did not screw the dipstick in when checking.

I think it would be impossible to rid the transmission of all fluid using a suction pump....best to go with the dipstick measurement.

Greg

 

[Steve Dion]

I think you will find that based on the rake of the engine/transmission there may be some differences in how much oil the engine/transmission will accept.