Yanmar 4jh2-te

[Terry Cox]

Our 1991 P42 came with a Yanmar diesel user guide that quotes the use of ATF transmission fluid. When I drained the fluid out this past weekend the oil had the appearance and smell of engine oil, not ATF. I also have a service manual for the 4JH2-TE, which says to use regular engine oil in the transmission. Needless to say I replaced the transmission oil with ATF.

Would you please let me know which is right? Does it matter as long as you use a good quality lubricate? Depending upon your comments I may call Yanmar to see what they have to say. The Kanzaki transmission has performed perfectly over the years after many thousands of miles and just over 1,900 hours of engine run time.

 

[kloudie1]

The problem is that some use one and some the other.. Best way to know is to look on the side of the transmission itself. There is a plate that has manufacturer info on it. That plate will state whether to use engine oil or ATF. You are correct in that no serious damage would result, but best to use what the transmission was designed for. If the oil that you drained is not black and has tiny shiny things in it, you are probably OK.. but do check the plate and use the correct stuff.

 

[MitchM]

you have a great Yanmar dealer in seattle who can answer that question for you. consider ordering the engine service manual and the parts manual for your engine from them and also an extra alternator belt, raw water impeller and a few extra oil and fuel filters . (those manuals above are different from the useless 'owners manual' you may have gotten with the boat... the parts manual with exploded diagrams is invaluable in helping you to assemble or reassemble any engine part...)

 

[Terry Cox]

Thanks Claude and Mitch. I'll check the tranny plate. I do have the service/parts manual for our engine as well as spare fuel/oil filters, appliance belts and sea water impeller. I just might give that Yanmar dealer a call even as much as I dislike anything and everything in Seattle.

 

[Terry Cox]

A Yanmar dealer provided the same technical advice that I got from Claude here; check the tranny plate. So, that is what I did this weekend. Tranny plate says ATF and that is what I had changed to based on the owner's manual recommendation. The manual also said to set the proper fluid level at the dip stick mark (about 1/4" from the tip) with the dip stick resting on the tranny housing, not screwed in. That is also what I did. The identification plate for our tranny is located on the back side of the engine where the tranny mounts, not on the housing.