I'm curious to see if anyone has dealt with this issue. I have a 2016 Volvo D4 in a Cutwater 28 and had the transmission fluid replaced and tested. The fluid came out looking like a strawberry milkshake. The lab was unable to test it due to water content. It appeared to be freshwater although the boat is moored in saltwater. The mechanic suspected condensation but it seemed like a lot to me. We ran the boat for 10 hours and retested the new fluid. This time it came back with trace water, but all other parameters were good including a normal sodium level. Should I still be worried about a leak or is this likely just condensation or residual water left over from the old fluid? Also, everything runs fine but is there likely to be damage from the previous watery transmission fluid. I would love to hear any comments or similar experiences. Thanks
Water in transmission fluid
- Thread starter SandS
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American Flyer
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A little more history would help with comments, but, how long was it since the previous fluid change? How many hours since then? Is this the first time you have changed it? Has the boat sat unused for any length of time?
When we purchased our (used) 2017 Tug with a D4 the first check came back with water in the fluid although not enough to see a difference in color. The boat had very low hours (200) for a five year old and obviously sat a lot. Highly suspect condensation. Since then it has a lot more hours and the fluid always comes back clean. The boat needs exercise to stay healthy.
I would keep running it regularly and check it often.
BB marine
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I would be pulling the trans cooler and inspecting it, pressure check it . You may keep it in salt water but has it always been in salt water? When the engine/ transmission are in use you will not get water in the transmission from a cooler leak. The oil pressure is higher than the water pressure so if anything a small leak will only allow oil to leak into the water. A small cooler leak can take time to leak water into the gear when the engine is not running . The problem is a small leak eventually ends up getting bigger. My suggestion would be pull the cooler, drain it and pressure check it. Make sure it does not have a small tube leak.