Dexron ATF in my Yanmar Trans Gear?

[jason3317]

I tried something different this year and went for the cheaper storage rates in exchange for allowing the yard to do some of the haulout work.

Imagine my surprise when I saw on my bill "1 QT DEXRON ATF".

I deferred my freak out until I confirmed this wkd that indeed there was ATF in the gear (Kanzaki 2.62 attached to my Yanmar 2GM20F). FWIW, the service manual does specify SAE 30 or equivalent motor oil for the gear.

So, I, with restraint, politely inquired with the yard manager today over the phone about the use of ATF in the gear. He replied that they "checked with Yanmar and they indicated Dexron ATF was appropriate".

Should I save myself a call to Mack Boring to confirm? Who can tell me the correct lube for this tranny?

Jason

[brak]

What transmission do you have? My Yanmar can have 4 different transmissions according to manual. The one specifically installed on my boat takes what manual calls "ATF-A". Since no such beast seems to be available anywhere and noone knows what "ATF-A" stands for, it is filled with regular ATF fluid (there are a few out there, I selected the one for the oldest possible American make ). One of the 4 possible transmissions takes oil. So - it could be either.

BTW, mechanic that I had over on my boat once specified a wrong amount of ATF fluid for my transmissions, which (as I checked later) matched another transmission from the list. Good thing I double-checked and filled according to the manual - or else there would be less than 1/4 of the required fluid there. So, these mechanic guys definitely could be wrong - trust your manual but read it carefully too.

[bubb2]

the owners manual for my Yanmar 2GM20F says SAE 30 weight.

[jason3317]

I think it is a KM2P. It is the shaft drive with 2.62:1 reduction gear.

[bubb2]

I have a 1999 model

[jason3317]

Originally Posted by bubb2

the owners manual for my Yanmar 2GM20F says SAE 30 weight.

Yes, I see the same spec in my SM. But, I am wondering if there was an updated spec issued since my SM was printed (1988)?

[bubb2]

If it has been good on 30 weight for 20 years, don't screw with it now. IMHO

[LittleWingCA]

My 1980 Yanmar 2QM15 takes the DEXRON ATF. There is a fill line marked on the dipstick that the fluid level has to be filled to with the dipstick unscrewed and just sitting on the access point.

[CaptainForce]

I have 4,400 hrs. on my year 2000 4JH Yanmar with the Kanzakee transmission. For the first 3,500 hrs. I ran it with the ATF Dextron II as filled first by the Yanmar dealer that installed the engine. I damaged my transmission at about 3,500 hrs. due to a faulty control cable setting and the mechanics that rebuilt it filled it with the "proper" 30 weight oil. I've remained using the 30 weight oil, but my anecdotal evidence implies that it functions well with either fluid. Aythya crew

[timebandit]

Here you go.

Automatic Transmission Fluid and How It Works