question about transmission fluid dipstick

[Jim Kealey]

I am new to this forum and this is my first post, but I have read many other posts and I find the forum incredibly helpful so thank you all who participate. I recently bought a 1990 Catalina 34 and I am learning the boat and doing some basic maintenance (So far, I have changed the oil and oil filter and replaced the zinc on the heat exchanger). My next step is to check/change the transmission fluid. I found that a PO must have replaced the dipstick/screw on plug with rubber or neoprene mechanical expansion plug (and no dipstick).  The expansion plug is pretty  beat up, especially after I removed it and it should be replaced (I am not sure how the original part could have been broken or lost in the first place?). I found a new dipstick part on line (part 298939 from Toad marine) but it is incredibly expensive (~$250.00). I am wondering if folks have advice on this—should I bite the bullet and buy the proper part or just buy a new expansion plug, or is there another more creative/economical solution? Is there a way to check the transmission fluid level without a built in dipstick? Also, as others have noted, accessing the transmission fill port is challenging unless you are a contortionist. Any advice/suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks,
Jim

[Ron Hill]

Jim : Contact Westerbeke either Joe Joyce X234 or Russ Hagen X233 @ 508 823 7677 And tell them about your problem. I'm sure they will have a solution.

A thought

[Jim Kealey]

Thanks Ron. I decided just to buy the part. Joe Joyce apparently is no longer with Westerbeke and the service tech I spoke to was surprised that the part is so expensive, but so is everything these days.

[Ron Hill]

Jim : I looked on the internet and it appears as though a new dipstick is 60+ Euros
Shop > KEERKOPPELING > ZF HURTH > Mechanische koppeling > Peilstok Hurth HBW 35-50-100 & ZF 3-5-10

It appears that all of the Hurth & ZF transmissions use the SAME dipstick!!

A thought

[KWKloeber]

Jim what engine model is this for?  I have a dipstick.

Ken

[Stu Jackson]

Jim what engine model is this for?  I have a dipstick.

Ken

Ken, his 1990 is most likely an M25XP.

Jm, please fill out your signature, like most of the rest of us have done, thanks, it helps us to help you.  Go to your Profile page to update it.

[Ron Hill]

Ken : That transmission is most likely a Hurth 50.

A thought

[Jim Kealey]

Jim what engine model is this for?  I have a dipstick.

Ken

Thank you Ken for your kind offer. I already ordered the part from Westerbeke, and I am hoping that it will work and that there is not an additional issue, like stripped threads on the filler port? Engine is an M25xp.
Thanks again for your response.

[Jim Kealey]

Jim what engine model is this for?  I have a dipstick.

Ken

Ken, his 1990 is most likely an M25XP.

Jm, please fill out your signature, like most of the rest of us have done, thanks, it helps us to help you.  Go to your Profile page to update it.

Thanks for letting me know about the signature. I will figure out how to fill it out and add it.

[KWKloeber]

If there is, theoretically it could be repaired.

Or easier, a rubber expansion plug used and fashion yourself a separate dipstick to use when you check level.

hoping that it will work and that there is not an additional issue, like stripped threads on the filler port?

[Roc]

Jim,
What I did to the cabinetry to make it easier to check the transmission fluid was to remove the panel right above.  It's scewed in from behind.  I drilled through the panel and put screws with finish washers.  Then when you want to check the fluid, you remove the 6 screws and take the panel off.  You have a huge opening to get to the dip stick