Westerbeke Transmission Chatter

[bnort3]

I purchased a 2001 Beneteau 361 about a month ago with 286 hours on the engine/trans. There is a fair amount of chatter (sounds like clutch chatter) when idling in gear or even in neutral. Does anyone know what this is caused by, how to fix, whether to be concerned?

Also during the first couple weekends, I noticed some leakage of trans oil after running it for an hour or more. Amount was less than a 1/3 ounce, but a leak nonetheless. Then when I motored for 10 hours straight, the leak amounted to at least an ounce, maybe two. When I checked the trans oil level it appeared fine.

Lastly, sometimes it feels like I'm dragging an anchor when motoring in forward. It happened when I was passed by a barge in the C&D canal so I thought it might have been due to the strong eddie currents from the barge wake. But I do wondering if the trans is slipping.

Any insights would be appreciated.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Must be a femaie transmission. (Sorry, couldn't resist)

I think you need to take your tranny into a qualified transmission expert before it fails on you in a precarious predicament or situation.

 

[Mike Holibar]

Where is the oil leak - front seal, rear seal, change lever seal. Either of the first two could indicate a bearing problem. Could be drive plate on engine fly wheel or gearbox output flange working loose. The location of the leak could well provide the clue. Good luck,

 

[bnort3]

I've had it looked at and turns out prior owner was using the wrong oil! He was running ATF vs. SAE 30 motor oil. I'm getting it flushed this week and hopefully, no significant damage was done (only has 300 hours). We'll see.

 

[Maine Sail]

I've had it looked at and turns out prior owner was using the wrong oil! He was running ATF vs. SAE 30 motor oil. I'm getting it flushed this week and hopefully, no significant damage was done (only has 300 hours). We'll see.

If your 30B3 has the PRM Newage gear box then it definitely does use SAE 30 oil. If it has a Hurth/ZF HBW series gear box then it will use ATF. All Hurth/ZF HBW series gear boxes use ATF and perhaps the PO was used to Hurth gear boxes hence filling the tranny with ATF. The PRM Newage is the most common gear box supplied on the 30B3 so you've probably found your problem. Good luck!!

 

[bnort3]

Maine Sail, thanks for the info. The trans was the stock JS Transmission... a Marino??... looks like it was built in Mexico as the identification plate was in Spanish. At the bottom of the plate, it says to use SAE 20 or 30W motor oil. Hopefully, the flush will do the trick.

 

[mattkling]

PRM tranny does use ATF

According to this service bulletin from Westerbeke, PRM transmissions now use ATF. http://www.westerbeke.com/ServiceBulletins/sb_239.pdf

 

[Maine Sail]

According to this service bulletin from Westerbeke, PRM transmissions now use ATF. http://www.westerbeke.com/ServiceBulletins/sb_239.pdf

Excellent information! I wonder how many Newage owners never saw this TSB??

 

[Ron20324]

Bnort3- long time no 'E'. How was your stay in Lewes? Or are you still there? I thought you would have chimed in on the C&D thread.

 

[Witzend]

Is the chatter more noticable at idle, and then lessen as RPM and load increase? If so check the damper plate, especially where the collar mates to the input spline shaft of your transmission for wear/play. Of course you will need to pull the transmission to inspect this.
Any misalignment or run-out between this collar and the shaft will unevenly load the input bearing of the transmission and also cause wear on these mating surfaces.