I'm having some shifting issues that have cropped up on the transmission in our 2003 Catalina 350. Transmission is a ZF 15 MA. We're having intermittent problems with it going into forward (usually when cold and motoring out of the slip). Usually, when this happens it acts like it is still in neutral, but I had one or 2 instances the other day where it was obviously slipping. Once it's in gear, though, all seems fine. Boat was new to us last fall. When I winterized it last fall I changed the transmission fluid (dexron) and fluid looked clean then. I recently checked it and it isn't discolored or burnt. Fluid level is fine. I also checked the gearshift adjustment and tweaked things to specs (shifter wasn't quite vertical in neutral but throw in both directions looked fine). Throw is within specs according to the manual (30mm at the bottom hole on the shift linkage each way).
So, it looks to me like the transmission will likely have to come out for repair this winter. I will try changing fluid when we get back to the boat next week, but I'm not holding out much hope that it will make any difference.
Is there anything I'm overlooking, that should be checked? I've read that this isn't an unusual issue with the ZF transmissions. Any recommendations on a good rebuild shop if it comes to that? If it comes down to replacement, is there a drop in replacement that might be a better choice (ie, one of the Technodrive twin disc units)? Thanks for any insights. Pic of trans tag below:
So, it looks to me like the transmission will likely have to come out for repair this winter. I will try changing fluid when we get back to the boat next week, but I'm not holding out much hope that it will make any difference.
Is there anything I'm overlooking, that should be checked? I've read that this isn't an unusual issue with the ZF transmissions. Any recommendations on a good rebuild shop if it comes to that? If it comes down to replacement, is there a drop in replacement that might be a better choice (ie, one of the Technodrive twin disc units)? Thanks for any insights. Pic of trans tag below: