iapota2021
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R29 with D4-320-have heard different opinions on transmission fluid change intervals. What does the factory say?
Transmission fluid change interval
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Maggie Anne
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I looked up the Service protocol for the D4-320 on the Volvo Penta website and it states that
D4-320I-G
Service activity Action
At 6 months or 25 hours whichever occurs first
Transmission, oil and filter Replace
Every 12 months or 200 hours whichever occurs first
Transmission, oil and filter Replace
D4-320I-G
Service activity Action
At 6 months or 25 hours whichever occurs first
Transmission, oil and filter Replace
Every 12 months or 200 hours whichever occurs first
Transmission, oil and filter Replace
BB marine
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The Volvo reverse gear is a ZF gear. Volvo may have a different frequency for oil replacement but this is what the manufacture of the gear recommends. When it comes to filter replacement. I replace the filter with a clean filter after the oil change. The filter is a mesh filter that is designed to trap particles. The filters can be cleaned and flushed in mineral spirits. When cleaning the filter you have a good opportunity to inspect the debris entrapped in the filter element. There should be very little. This is a good way to troubleshoot the gears condition. If metal particles of any size are found this should be noted. (it is not uncommon to find a small out of wear metals entrapped in the filter. This is a common sense inspection. After the filter is cleaned I put it in a clean covered container for the next oil change. I have two filters on hand for my twin engine application. I reuse the filters and o-rings if after inspection they are in good condition. The o-rings are a common size o-ring which cam=n be purchased separately. The filters are a bit pricey! $60 to $70 part number is #3312199031. This is for a OEM ZF filter. At first oil change purchase a new one. This will give you one to rotate at each oil change. There are a lot of aftermarket filters out there that do not fit properly. they are also not using the same filtering mesh. Use OEM filters!
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22200&start=0&hilit=transmission+filter
Transmission - Oil Change Guidelines
Oil Level & Change Schedule
Check your transmission oil fluid level regularly and change it following the owner’s manual guidelines. Never go more than a year between oil changes. Each transmission model will have specific guidelines. Here is the general ZF guidelines for oil check and change:
On transmissions with an oil cooler, during normal operation a certain amount of oil will collect in the cooler and lines, which will flow back into the transmission after a rest period. This may cause the oil level to exceed the maximum mark. Do not remove the surplus oil.
To properly check fluid level, run engine at idle speed in neutral until cooler and lines are fully filled with fluid.
Turn off the engine and check the fluid level within a short time. For dipsticks that screw in, do not screw them in to check the fluid level.
The transmission oil should be changed after 25 hours of initial operation (with a new installation). All subsequent oil fluid changes should be every 300 hours or once per year, whichever occurs first.
If the transmission has a filter, it should be changed or cleaned with the oil change. See filters here for common transmissions.
Oil Types
Consult your manufacturer manual for the proper oil to use. If you aren’t sure what oil type to use, here are recommendations:
For ZF 12, 15, 25, 30, 45, 63, 68, 80, and 85 series, and Velvet Drive 71C, 72C, 73C, and 5000 series, use an ATF fluid which meets Detroit Diesel Allison C-4 specifications (e.g.: Dexron IIE, Dexron III).
For ZF 220 and larger series, use a marine 30W transmission oil (no/low detergent, not multi-grade). In very hot climates 40W is okay.
You can also refer to the official ZF approved oils list here (PDF).
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22200&start=0&hilit=transmission+filter
Transmission - Oil Change Guidelines
Oil Level & Change Schedule
Check your transmission oil fluid level regularly and change it following the owner’s manual guidelines. Never go more than a year between oil changes. Each transmission model will have specific guidelines. Here is the general ZF guidelines for oil check and change:
On transmissions with an oil cooler, during normal operation a certain amount of oil will collect in the cooler and lines, which will flow back into the transmission after a rest period. This may cause the oil level to exceed the maximum mark. Do not remove the surplus oil.
To properly check fluid level, run engine at idle speed in neutral until cooler and lines are fully filled with fluid.
Turn off the engine and check the fluid level within a short time. For dipsticks that screw in, do not screw them in to check the fluid level.
The transmission oil should be changed after 25 hours of initial operation (with a new installation). All subsequent oil fluid changes should be every 300 hours or once per year, whichever occurs first.
If the transmission has a filter, it should be changed or cleaned with the oil change. See filters here for common transmissions.
Oil Types
Consult your manufacturer manual for the proper oil to use. If you aren’t sure what oil type to use, here are recommendations:
For ZF 12, 15, 25, 30, 45, 63, 68, 80, and 85 series, and Velvet Drive 71C, 72C, 73C, and 5000 series, use an ATF fluid which meets Detroit Diesel Allison C-4 specifications (e.g.: Dexron IIE, Dexron III).
For ZF 220 and larger series, use a marine 30W transmission oil (no/low detergent, not multi-grade). In very hot climates 40W is okay.
You can also refer to the official ZF approved oils list here (PDF).
Gin
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Good information, as always Brian.
I used a Volvo branded filter the first time I replaced mine. Since then, I've used the ZF filters. Identical, except for the box they come in. I've replaced mine rather than cleaned and reused them, but given Brian's advice on that, I'll try cleaning the one I remove on the next transmission oil change (this February).
A reliable source for ZF OEM filters is Seaboard Marine in Seattle. A new filter for the transmission on my D4-300 (2019 R31) goes for $45 right now. https://www.sbmar.com/product/zf-marine-transmission-drop-in-screen-filter/. Like everything else, they've jumped in price ($39 in 2020), but they are still a good deal compared to the Volvo equivalent ($58 in 2020 through the factory; now $78 now at Marine Parts Express).
Gini
I used a Volvo branded filter the first time I replaced mine. Since then, I've used the ZF filters. Identical, except for the box they come in. I've replaced mine rather than cleaned and reused them, but given Brian's advice on that, I'll try cleaning the one I remove on the next transmission oil change (this February).
A reliable source for ZF OEM filters is Seaboard Marine in Seattle. A new filter for the transmission on my D4-300 (2019 R31) goes for $45 right now. https://www.sbmar.com/product/zf-marine-transmission-drop-in-screen-filter/. Like everything else, they've jumped in price ($39 in 2020), but they are still a good deal compared to the Volvo equivalent ($58 in 2020 through the factory; now $78 now at Marine Parts Express).
Gini
Gin
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An update to my recommendation on Seaboard marine for ZF filters. I just received two of theirs for the transmission in the R31. I was planning to install one and keep the second as a spare. Unlike the ones I’ve gotten from Seaboard in the past, these were NOT OEM filters, and are not up to the quality of the OEM filters.
These have the issues that have been noted in older threads — the top and bottom holes should be different sizes (one smaller and one larger). https://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.p...&sid=bafa2e8fb4efb01d6abb7ae59da4a2c4#p143384. The ones I received were not (both were large). The channel for the o-ring on top was not as deep. The metal was dull and looked more like a pot metal than the ZF filter. The holes in the mesh surrounding the filter were bigger than the ZF filter. All in all, it looked like a cheaper Chinese knockoff as others have described on the forum. I have not installed either of those I received, and I will be calling Seaboard tomorrow to process a return.
BTW, thank you Brian Brown if you are reading this for the advice that these transmission filters can be cleaned and reused. That is what I have done for now, until I get a quality filter as a replacement.
Having endorsed Seaboard (Sbmar.com) as a good source for transmission filters, I wanted to alert everyone to the fact that they may not be a good source going forward.
Gini
These have the issues that have been noted in older threads — the top and bottom holes should be different sizes (one smaller and one larger). https://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.p...&sid=bafa2e8fb4efb01d6abb7ae59da4a2c4#p143384. The ones I received were not (both were large). The channel for the o-ring on top was not as deep. The metal was dull and looked more like a pot metal than the ZF filter. The holes in the mesh surrounding the filter were bigger than the ZF filter. All in all, it looked like a cheaper Chinese knockoff as others have described on the forum. I have not installed either of those I received, and I will be calling Seaboard tomorrow to process a return.
BTW, thank you Brian Brown if you are reading this for the advice that these transmission filters can be cleaned and reused. That is what I have done for now, until I get a quality filter as a replacement.
Having endorsed Seaboard (Sbmar.com) as a good source for transmission filters, I wanted to alert everyone to the fact that they may not be a good source going forward.
Gini
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