Oil level in transmission? (2004 SO35)

[reverie]

This might qualify as the dumb question of the day, but here goes...

My 2004 S035 which I purchased last year has a Yanmar 3YM30 engine with a KMP2-1 transmission. Fairly standard for the boat I assume.

I've never fully understood the dipstick in the transmission - specifically, the point along the dipstick which indicates the appropriate oil level when full. The dipstick is about 6 inches long, with a yellow cap that threads into the transmission. The 6 inch stick has no markings other than a small hole about one inch up from the tip (i.e. bottom end of the dipstick, which sits deepest in the transmission). If this is the fill line, than the top 4 - 5 inches of the transmission cavity will be empty! Seems wrong somehow, although I do appreciate that transmission is only supposed to hold 0.3 litres of oil when full.

Thus far, I've been filling the transmission to near the top of the stick. I figured it was better to overfill than underfill - and potentiall seize the thing. This summer, I noticed a small puddle of oil under the transmission. I wonder if I'm been over-filling, and the oil is somehow finding its way out?

Other than the oil puddle, the engine and transmission have been working perfectly.

Thoughts? To what point on the dipstick are you filling your transmission?

Many thanks for any insights.

John

[Don Reaves]

I've replaced the transmission oil on my 2004 SO35 a couple of times. Each time, I do a thorough job of removing the old oil and then replace it with 300 ml of new oil. At this point, the level is visible in the bottom 1 cm of the stick. It does sound like you've been overfilling it.

Don

[reverie]

Many thanks, Don.

I thought so. I should have actually measured 300ml when refilling it, as you did.

Fortunately, a quick fix. I'll pump some oil out next weekend.

John