Transmission oil change

[marob]

After the initial 200 hour oil change on the Hurst ZF transmission on my 2021 Cutwater28 how often should the oil be changed?

 

[Gin]

When I got my 2019 R31 with the Volvo D4 engine, the maintenance protocol specified a transmission oil change at 12 months or 200 miles. That was changed during the first year of my ownership to specify an initial 25 hr transmission oil change AFTER a first one at 25 hrs. [Correction: the protocol now specifies 12 months/200 hrs AFTER the initial change at 25 hrs].

Which leads me to say your initial oil change should probably be at 25 hrs. I would do it then regardless of whatever else you find specified.

After that, go with 12 months or 200 hrs. For most recreational uses, that will work out to be annually. Which is what I do. The oil change is easy and the oil is relative inexpensive. No reason not to change oil as frequently as is both specified and sensible to do.

Gini

 

[BB marine]

Initial change is 50 hours filter and oil. After that 200 hours or once a year is a good time frame. When it comes to fluid changes I believe yearly over hourly. Hourly is 200 hours. My opinion.

 

[Gin]

I’m not one to disagree with Brian on anything!

But, Volvo’s maintenance protocol for my engine (D4 with the 63A transmission) is different for some reason. I just doubled checked mine by putting in my D4 serial number on Volvo’s support page. When I pull up the Maintenance Service Protocol, the first “service activity” on the list is to replace the transmission oil and filter at 6 months or 25 hrs, whichever comes first.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, when I got my R31, the first transmission oil and filter was specified for 12 months/200 hrs. I didn’t get any notice from Volvo that they changed the spec, but I think someone on the forum may have posted about it. When I pulled up my service protocol on Volvo’s website, sure enough, it had changed. I had 10 months and 156 hrs on the boat at that point. I changed the oil and the filter right away and had the oil analyzed by Blackstone Labs. Blackstone basically told me everything looked fine and was in line with regular usage. Solubles were building, consistent with the wear in, and they thought it was good I had changed it when I did. I changed the oil and filter again 12 months and 99 hours later. Blackstone thought everything looked excellent and advised me that they thought I could safely use a 150 hr interval if I want. Seven months later I hit that 150 hr mark, changed the oil and filter, and sent a sample off to Blackstone. Blackstone was pleased with the analysis and advised me they think I can stick with a 150 hr interval for now. But I’m with Brian on doing it annually, so for me, regular service will be annually or 150 hrs, whichever comes first.

Bottom line: At least for some of us with the Volvo (ZF) 63A transmission, Volvo now specifies an initial change of oil and filter at 25 hrs or 6 months. That appears to be super conservative. Based on the report I got at 80 hrs, a change at 50 hrs may be the sweet spot. But double check what Volvo specifies for your particular engine/transmission.

Gini