How to Service a V-Drive and Transmission on a Boat- How to DIY Guide

SAE 30 Oil: amzn.to/2T4yIcX
SAE 30 Oil, another option: amzn.to/2LUKplV
Dex/merc ATF fluid: amzn.to/2LWSxSG
Oil vacuum: amzn.to/2LWQdLE
Oil vacuum 2: amzn.to/30kKDZp
Nitrile gloves: amzn.to/2LVxlfZ
Filmed on a GoPro: amzn.to/31cIYT8
Filmed with Mavic 2 Pro Drone: amzn.to/2SXVJhG
How to Service V-Drive and (ATF) Transmission on a Boat. DIY guide video. Follow-up to the boat engine oil video.
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[@stevenn8449]

I should have watched your video first. I followed another's instructions and pulled the drain plug from the V-drive...it made a HUGE mess and now I have regrets. Suctioning through the dipstick is a far superior method. Thanks for posting this

[@fixitwithjake]

Oh shoot, sorry dude. Well you won’t make that mistake again. And I’m sure we all have done something like that!

[@backseatsniper07]

Clean engine bay! Im about to be servicing my boat for the firet time

[@fixitwithjake]

Let us know how it goes!

[@clarkgwozdecki6782]

Wow your boat is spotless. Lovely music in the video

[@mikedelatorre864]

Very informative .. the music is as clean as your boat - shiny! Ty

[@dpickett85]

Don't mean to be rude, but I'm not sure this is the best advice for how to change your v drive oil. I've got a 2000 Tige 21V with a Walter RV 26 V Drive. I'm in the process of replacing it due to it failing. While talking to the rep from Walter, he said it's important to follow the directions in the manual, which says to drain the oil from the bottom and clean the strainer. If you suck the oil from the top (what I've done the three years I've owned the boat) like in this video, you only get about half the oil, leaving the worst oil on the bottom. The rep said that over many years this is going to lead to more wear on the gears as you're not getting rid of contaminants. I'm sure it's going to be a pain to try to get the oil out the bottom and clean the strainer, but probably will extend the life of the v drive (which is about $3k for a new one).

[@fixitwithjake]

I have not heard of this before. But it makes sense what you’re telling me. I will say, this boat’s the drive is 21 years old and never had an issue. And this is how everyone else recommends doing it across the forms and groups. But I will investigate what you say and add the details of description I come up with more Intel thank you for sharing.

[@dpickett85]

It may not have been what lead to mine failing, but guessing it does help to service it correctly. Here's a link to the manual for Walter Vdrives: drive.google.com/file/d/1djXBDDYb34elko5w0CtpzEoO3L6cZTe8/view?usp=sharing@@fixitwithjake

[@stick9758]

Just dip the transmission fluid dip stick. Do Not screw it in to check. Hence DIP stick :)

[@fixitwithjake]

Update to the video: When checking the ATF fluid, do so at engine operating temp. So you will need to run the engine. No need to "screw" it in. Just dip the dipstick without screwing it in first to see the proper level.

[@andy01625]

Hi Jake. Great video. On the V drive dip stick…is it a thread that needs unscrewing to get it out? I’m finding it very difficult to get it off. Secondly regarding the transmission…my fluid looks like a strawberry milkshake which makes me assume water is getting in. Do you know where this might be from?

[@fixitwithjake]

I just watched the video and if I remember correctly, the V drive dipstick just pulls up and out. It’s aluminum metal with a black rubber O-ring around it. So if you’re having trouble, I would take something like a plastic screwdriver that will not score the metal and wedge between the two to pry it up gently. Also, twisting the dipstick may help. But don’t get too aggressive because the soft aluminum will, start shaving off. If it looks like milkshake on your transmission, it definitely sounds like water got in. I would empty it all and then refill it two or three times with really cheap fluid just to flush out the bad stuff. And then top it off with good fluid. I’m not sure where water may get in, but I think there may be some water cooling lines attached to it to help. Keep it cool while you’re running. If this is not your original boat, maybe they got a bunch of extra water in the bilge and the water leaked in through the top of the transmission. Or maybe this boat has been underwater.

[@DJStroble]

I have a 2015 nautique g23 with a velvet drive and it doesn’t have a dip stick!

[@JohnDoe-xf6ok]

It appears that you are changing 2 different oils. Can you let me know what is what? What is the first oil? The second appears to be ATF fluid. Thanks

[@fixitwithjake]

Correct. The forward most drive is the v drive and it takes SAE30 on this boat. The other device behind it, is the transmission that selection forward, neutral or reverse. It takes ATF fluid. Reference the owners manual for your boat. In the back it will tell you exactly what fluids to use for each reservoir.

[@chrisgottschalk1385]

If you turn the bottle over, so the spout is on the top, you don't spill!

[@fixitwithjake]

great advice! Thank you.

[@Supanova70]

Question for you: Why use Dex3 when Mobil 424 is required from velvet drive? V-drives 1987

[@fixitwithjake]

Each V drive brand and year has a specific oil requirement. There’s usually a label on the v drive to remind you. So be careful to put in the correct fluid.

[@Supanova70]

@@fixitwithjake so v drives are Dex3 and straight drive was 424 old cast iron models.

[@fixitwithjake]

Oh that’s good to know! Thanks for sharing! I didn’t know this.

[@topshelfredneck4253]

Also is this a indmar assault 5.7 engine or would this be same my boat is a 04 supra launch gravity games edition

[@fixitwithjake]

This is a 325hp Indmar Monsoon. Very similar engine. 2002. I think it’s companies just do simple mods and call them their brand names. For example Malibu calls it a Monsoon and Supra calls it an Assault. But really it’s an indmar. I just looked at your manual a s your boat might have a remote V drive filter. Check out this doc and you should get all the info you need to service it: www.supraboats.com/assets/Boat-Archive/2004/2004_supra_owners_manual.pdf

[@rickkozmer7431]

Jake- What about the Trans Filter replacement? I have the ZF marine Hurth 450D?

[@fixitwithjake]

They are $60 a pop. I don't touch mine. You can remove them and clean with compressed air if you want amzn.to/3khWdMy

[@jasonb1614]

@@fixitwithjakewow. Now they’re $80!

[@steves2534]

in the 2016 Axis, it recommends Mobil sch 50w for the v-drive transmission oil. but I noticed you were using 30w. Is there much of a difference in the oil just because I am having a hard time finding just straight SAE 50w synthetic?

[@fixitwithjake]

Hmmm not sure to be honest. I like to follow the owners manual very strictly.

[@stick9758]

Use 50w!!!!! Malibu axis tech. Get it from the dealer. It’s completely different from 30w

[@stick9758]

Delvec 50. It also has a much longer life so check it’s quality.. if your dipstick is red then atf if it’s yellow it takes delvec 50

[@topshelfredneck4253]

Man I wanna do mine so I'm curious it doesn't have to be running in neutral like most cars and trucks

[@fixitwithjake]

Does not need to be running. It is simply a reservoir that you suction to remove the old fluids and top off with new fluids. Most have a Walter V drive.

[@johnkach67]

Jake, ever had a problem with “engine fault-check trans”?

[@fixitwithjake]

john kachantones no I have not luckily

[@minirider225]

Looks like you have a Walters V-Drive which is the same as my Moomba. Have you ever cleaned the strainer? It’s in an extremely difficult spot. I usually just clean the magnetic plug...

[@fixitwithjake]

Never touched the strainer. Didn't know about it. I'll take a look. Have you found much debris on your plug?

[@kevinstapleton3118]

Does a 2004 Sanger v230 v drive have a transmission cooler? I'm getting a soft alarm sound of 2 beeps every 5 mins. All my fluids are normal. Thx Kevin

[@fixitwithjake]

kevin stapleton sorry I don’t know Kevin.

[@KC-xu9tl]

How often should these oil changes be done?

[@fixitwithjake]

We do it once a season bc we rarely put on 100hrs a summer. Check your engine manual. But usually every 100hrs or once a year. Whatever comes first.

[@2502647752]

I can’t find anything on losing my reverse

[@jmilz08]

Lmao no comment on all the empties ?

[@fixitwithjake]

I’m not following? :)

[@jmilz08]

@@fixitwithjake for my boat 86 Carver 28 ft I can’t even see where the other actual tranny fluid location would be besides on the v drive where you fill with SAE 30 etc

[@Jeffrorosen7hal]

@@fixitwithjake he means the empty beers cans 🇺🇸