Baba Yaga
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2019
- Messages
- 62
- Location
- San Diego
- Vessel Name
- Baba Yaga
- Vessel Make
- 1979 Californian 34 LRC
I have a VD question, but first I will give a little back story.
34 Californian LRC, twin Perkins with turbo's and VD transmissions. I'm losing fluid in one of my transmissions ¼ quart in 6 months. After inspection I could not locate any points of interest for leaking (seals, plugs, linkage entry points, etc), everything looks pretty clean and free from signs of leakage. I spoke to the PO, who is a great guy and was anal about all mechanics on the boat; he indicated he replaced the cooler right before I purchased the boat. He also said he never had to add fluid to either of the transmissions but regularly checked. This transmission was replaced with a new old stock unit less than 4 years ago. All high pressure lines were professionally made and replaced. I did have some fluid in my bilges but it could be from a bad line on my trim tabs (the reservoir was low on fluid and a line was leaking). Also, each engine transmission combo in my boat has containment pans which will not allow fluids to leak into the bilge in the event of fluid loss.
I could accept if the PO changed out the unit less than 4 years ago and never had to top off fluid, that the newly placed transmission cooler is the prime suspect, albeit, the cooler, lines, fittings, something. I could also easily explain the fluid in my bilge from the trim tab line failure (which has been repaired).
Where is my fluid going?
Thanks for the help!
34 Californian LRC, twin Perkins with turbo's and VD transmissions. I'm losing fluid in one of my transmissions ¼ quart in 6 months. After inspection I could not locate any points of interest for leaking (seals, plugs, linkage entry points, etc), everything looks pretty clean and free from signs of leakage. I spoke to the PO, who is a great guy and was anal about all mechanics on the boat; he indicated he replaced the cooler right before I purchased the boat. He also said he never had to add fluid to either of the transmissions but regularly checked. This transmission was replaced with a new old stock unit less than 4 years ago. All high pressure lines were professionally made and replaced. I did have some fluid in my bilges but it could be from a bad line on my trim tabs (the reservoir was low on fluid and a line was leaking). Also, each engine transmission combo in my boat has containment pans which will not allow fluids to leak into the bilge in the event of fluid loss.
I could accept if the PO changed out the unit less than 4 years ago and never had to top off fluid, that the newly placed transmission cooler is the prime suspect, albeit, the cooler, lines, fittings, something. I could also easily explain the fluid in my bilge from the trim tab line failure (which has been repaired).
Where is my fluid going?
Thanks for the help!