A few random maintenance questions

[AlbinOhhh]

2001 28TE 300hp Yanmar w/ZF transmission

Out on my “Great Loop” tour on my new “used” boat.

1) oil down about 1/2 way from “full” to “fill” on a cold motor. I’m about 43 hours from a scheduled oil change. Or ~4 days at trolling speed for me. Should I top it off, or just watch it as I’m close to a change?

2) I have no clue what the maintenance schedule for the ZF tranny is. Any hints? What oil does it use?

3) anyone know if the deck rails are bolted through, or just screwed in. I think one vertical stanchion may have a small leak during heavy rain. I don’t want to start to fix it and make it worse.

If you read this and want to follow my progress I’m at

GreatLoop.Substack.com

Thanks for any help!

[Nancy]

Caveat: I'm not a mechanic.

1. If I had changed the oil, I would watch it at this point. But I would also try to figure out why it's down.

2. We change the transmission fluid on our ZF80 every two years. We use Valvoline DEX/MERC ATF. Filter should also be changed. We will keep the old one and clean it for the next fluid change.

3. Yes, stanchions are through-bolted. See this thread for starters. viewtopic.php?p=91000&hilit=stanchions#p91000

The search function in this forum works pretty well.

Congratulations on starting your trip!

[Norseman]

1) Normally you shouldn’t have to add oil between the 125 hour service.
2) I changed tranny fluid and filter once a year as per the manual, the type of fluid should be DEXRON 3 / MERCON ATF
3) Which stanchion is leaking? (Can’t remember that any of them leaked while I owned the boat.)

Did Chris give you the complete library of maintenance manuals manuals as well as the spreadsheet service records
since the boat was new? Lots of useful information there.
Good luck on the Great Loop adventure.

[AlbinOhhh]

1) Normally you shouldn’t have to add oil between the 125 hour service.
2) I changed tranny fluid and filter once a year as per the manual, the type of fluid should be DEXRON 3 / MERCON ATF
3) Which stanchion is leaking? (Can’t remember that any of them leaked while I owned the boat.)

Did Chris give you the complete library of maintenance manuals manuals as well as the spreadsheet service records
since the boat was new? Lots of useful information there.
Good luck on the Great Loop adventure.

I got all the manuals and they can make my head spin with the info in there. I’ll never understand why manufacturers don’t give you a “cheat sheet” on Page One for every product noting the basic maintenance.

As to why the oil is down, who knows? Maybe because most of my running at at 6-7mph and .8-1.5mpg. I try to keep the pressure gauge in the center spread. I also “run” the boat for a time every day.

As to the stanchion, it’s the one by the galley.

[Norseman]

1) Normally you shouldn’t have to add oil between the 125 hour service.
2) I changed tranny fluid and filter once a year as per the manual, the type of fluid should be DEXRON 3 / MERCON ATF
3) Which stanchion is leaking? (Can’t remember that any of them leaked while I owned the boat.)

Did Chris give you the complete library of maintenance manuals manuals as well as the spreadsheet service records
since the boat was new? Lots of useful information there.
Good luck on the Great Loop adventure.

I got all the manuals and they can make my head spin with the info in there. I’ll never understand why manufacturers don’t give you a “cheat sheet” on Page One for every product noting the basic maintenance.

As to why the oil is down, who knows? Maybe because most of my running at at 6-7mph and .8-1.5mpg. I try to keep the pressure gauge in the center spread. I also “run” the boat for a time every day.

As to the stanchion, it’s the one by the galley.

I also ran at low RPMs but it didn’t affect oil consumption, to my knowledge anyways.
Make sure to use this additive too avoid sooting from the exhaust and a dirty transom

IMG_7475.jpeg

[AlbinOhhh]

1) Normally you shouldn’t have to add oil between the 125 hour service.
2) I changed tranny fluid and filter once a year as per the manual, the type of fluid should be DEXRON 3 / MERCON ATF
3) Which stanchion is leaking? (Can’t remember that any of them leaked while I owned the boat.)

Did Chris give you the complete library of maintenance manuals manuals as well as the spreadsheet service records
since the boat was new? Lots of useful information there.
Good luck on the Great Loop adventure.

I got all the manuals and they can make my head spin with the info in there. I’ll never understand why manufacturers don’t give you a “cheat sheet” on Page One for every product noting the basic maintenance.

As to why the oil is down, who knows? Maybe because most of my running at at 6-7mph and .8-1.5mpg. I try to keep the pressure gauge in the center spread. I also “run” the boat for a time every day.

As to the stanchion, it’s the one by the galley.

I also ran at low RPMs but it didn’t affect oil consumption, to my knowledge anyways.
Make sure to use this additive too avoid sooting from the exhaust and a dirty transom
IMG_7475.jpeg

Running Stanadyne in my fuel

[Norseman]

Running Stanadyne in my fuel

It may be good stuff, but I know the Diesel Kleen cut the soot 90 % when I started using it: Before I used it the transom and the aft Port side was black from soot, after, not so much: Look for pictures on the thread about your boat.

[AlbinOhhh]

Rechecking the oil today and I must have misread it yesterday. After sitting all night, I’m about 1/4 the distance behind full & fill, not 1/2.

I did not do the last oil change. At this time I’ll not give any worry, but will check it regularly.

Not getting any smoking on the transom.

[Norseman]

I did not do the last oil change.

Uh, you didn’t change the oil, or someone else change the oil for you?
I am happy to help if you have any questions, I owned and maintained this boat for 5 years
And know it inside-out.
Contact me on PM, email or phone if you need anything.
954foursixfive4116