velvet drive question

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:50 pm

today was out in the boat and noticed something , maybe someone can shed some light and give me some ideas
I noticed while I was in reverse docking that my starboard trans was making a slightly louder "whine" than my port. I works fine. Fluid is super clean, and full, no issues besides the whine. Dont know if it got louder or I just never noticed before
any ideas fellas?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:09 pm

I don't think you have V-Drives . you should have Velvet drives , what your hearing could be the reduction gears making some noise or a hydraulic wine . Depending how loud this could be normal .Hard to judge of the net . And it would not be abnormal for there to be some difference side to side . ( they do rotate the opposed direction )

I have seen cutlass bearing make noise also that would like it comes from the gear .

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:17 pm

yes prowler sorry velvet drives, I already corrected the posting

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:20 pm

I will keep on eye on it, but I'm hoping its normal

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:38 pm

Hopfully it is .

akwalker · Post by **akwalker** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 9:20 pm

Mine did the same thing.... always noisier in reverse. My fluid looked clean also, and was right up to the mark on the stick. I changed the fluid last season, and the whine all but disappeared. How old is your fluid?

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:03 pm

I dont know
I recently purchased this boat, so I couldnt tell. It does look /smell clean,
maybe I should just change it to be sure.

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 8:58 am

whats the fluid of choice here? I know ATF? any brands that you guys are partial to?

BobCT · Post by **BobCT** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:51 am

Mine does the same, I can't remember if it's one or both sides. Definitely has a "gear" sound to it which is normal. Those VD units are pretty much bulletproof and will take a lot of different fluids, even motor oil in a pinch.

I believe I used Dexron ATF when I changed mine in the fall. Doesn't sound like anything to worry about.

Bob

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:37 am

guglielmo6160 wrote:whats the fluid of choice here? I know ATF? any brands that you guys are partial to?

Dextron is fine. Type F is a little more 'grippy'.

DAVIDLOFLAND · Post by **DAVIDLOFLAND** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:43 pm

guglielmo6160 wrote:whats the fluid of choice here? I know ATF? any brands that you guys are partial to?

Tranny shop says to use Type F.

The Dog House · Post by **The Dog House** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 4:59 pm

Type F ATF was introduced in 1967 and is 55,000 cP. MERCON ATF was introduced in 1992 and is 20,000 cP. DEXRON III ATF was introduced in 1993 and is 20,000 cP. Since MERCON and DEXRON III are both 20,000 cP, most manufacturers now sell products that meet both the MERCON and DEXRON III standards. For a 1983 boat, the Type F would probably be more suitable, but I've been told to use the MERCON/DEXRON III. My 1971 boat is currently using the MERCON/DEXRON III, but I do have fluid leaking past the seal when the engine is running and the transmission is under pressure. When the transmission is not under pressure, it doesn't leak. I'm wondering if using the higher viscosity Type F ATF will eliminate the leak.

DAVIDLOFLAND · Post by **DAVIDLOFLAND** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 5:59 pm

Good question about viscosity/leaks. I know the tranny's on my boat are about the only things on the boat that don't leak .

When I had both tranny's rebuilt in 2004, the shop guys said to use type F, and he told me why, but I can't remember exactly what it was. Seems like type F has some sort of additive the internal components of a Velvet Dirve needs. I don't remeber him talking about viscosity, though.

The Dog House · Post by **The Dog House** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 6:10 pm

It's my understanding that my Paragon transmission was designed for DEXRON fluid, which was introduced in 1967 and has a viscosity of 55,000 cP. It's not possible to buy DEXRON fluid anymore, but I can buy Type F which has the same viscosity. There's the dilemma. Do I use a GM product with a different (lower) viscosity in a GM application or a Ford product with the same viscosity in a GM application? I'm told the Paragon transmissions are bullet proof, so I'm leaning towards trying the Type F and seeing if it still leaks. If the leak stops, I'll stay with the Type F. If it still leaks with the Type F, I'll probably go back to the DEXRON III. Let the experiments begin!

The Dog House · Post by **The Dog House** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:56 pm

On the boat repair forum there's a post that says Great Lakes Power (Paragon Marine) specifically states NOT to use Type F ATF in Paragon transmissions. I guess I'm staying with the DEXRON III ATF. If anyone knows where I can buy DEXRON ATF, PLEASE let me know.