Wrong transmission fluid...?

[mdk681]

I have been seeing a lot of posts lately about transmissions so I figured I better take a look at my fluid level. I pulled the dipstick and it had some weird looking white substance towards the top. Is this normal? I had my local shop that winterizes and stores it change the v-drive and transmission fluid a couple seasons ago - did they use the wrong stuff...?! I am worried...
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[mnpracing]

depending on your transmission, and what is supposed to be in there, it looks like it might be water intrusion.

[mdk681]

The transmission itself is black in color - I believe it is a Walter 1:1 Velvet Drive

[mnpracing]

can you take a picture of the transmission, and the plate that should be on the front of it? Also take a pic of your v-drive. I still think it looks like water contamination.

[chpthril]

Certainly looks like water. Should be a nice redish/dark pink color, as its ATF

[mdk681]

I can take a picture of the v-drive tomorrow or Wednesday and post it.

How would water make it in to that reservoir? That's very concerning - can moisture in there lead to damage/long term issues?

[chpthril]

Just to make sure, we are talking the Borg Warner trans, not the Walter V? Water in the trans can damage with clutch material as well as degrade the lubricating properties of the fluid. Flooded bilge could lead to water in the trans. The trans cooler has raw water passing through it, but I would expect the fluid pressure to be greater than the water pressure. So if the core was rusted, etc, it would pump the fluid into the raw water system not the water into the cooler lines.

[mdk681]

I believe it is the Borg Warner 1:1. I ran down to the lift just now and inspected the dipstick again. It looked dry towards the bottom and had that white stuff towards the top with what seemed to be a couple drops of water (the lift it sits on is at a bit of an angle if that means anything). The picture I posted earlier was from after running for a while. Here is a pic of the serial tag on the trans for clarification so correct me if I am wrong

[mdk681]

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[mnpracing]

I would lower the boat into the water, and measure the fluid level. If it's still showing low, I'd top it off, run the boat for just a few minutes, and change the fluid. Then run, and change it again. I'd change it 3 times (ATF is cheap) and then run it awhile and see if you get the white stuff showing up again. All the while, frequently check your bilge for leaking fluid, and check the ATF level frequently. If you find water again, you've then at least proven out that you have a leak somewhere. There's a few really good rebuild threads for this tranny if you are up to doing it yourself. Here's one:

http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/...ad.php?t=53874

[mdk681]

Great - just what I needed. There is a little bit of standing water in my bilge at the moment and it looks like there is some sort of oil in it - I would guess it's from the trans. The shop I had the boat winterized at said it was my TAPS rams and pump were the ones leaking :/. I will get that dried up tonight and wipe things down to see if I can find where the leak is coming from.

What could have caused this to start leaking? I had the fluid changed a couple seasons ago. I haven't noticed any slippage yet either.

What kind of fluid should I be using for this? I have never change this myself - is it a difficult task? Am I going to cause any damage by still using the boat as long as there is adequate fluid in the trans?

[mnpracing]

Use ATF. It's really easy to change but you'll need an extractor. I wouldn't run it for long, just long enough to run in forward then reverse a little bit then change the fluid again, after inspecting it for evidence of water. Then do it all over again. Could have come in from a breather cap, or the trans cooler could be leaking.

[mdk681]

Ok, I was going to stop at Napa and buy one of those hand pump siphons today after work and flush it a couple times.

Just regular ATF? I have seen people talking about using Dexron III - is that the correct type to use in this application?

To check the level - I should have the boat floating and check the dipstick obviously. Should I have it warmed up or doesn't it matter?

[chpthril]

Yes, Dex-III

[mnpracing]

Dexron III should work fine.