So I've got a 1990 Sea Ray Sundancer 310DA with twin 454's married to the ZF Hurth 630V drives. The starboard motor and tranny sat for 10 years in the boat not used at all. I had both motors rebuilt and they have about 12 hours on them now. The Port tranny has no issues. Starboard shifts fine when cold but after about 45 minutes of cruising I can start to feel a shudder in her. I back the motors down, shut them off, pull the dip stick on the Starboard tranny and it is right at the full mark. Look things over and start them back up. Starboard tranny won't engage. No forward. No reverse. Limp back to the dock on the Port motor and let her sit for a couple hours then she is good to go.
Today I went for a cruise and the same thing happened about 45 minutes in. I backed both motors down to about 1200 to 1500 rpm and I could still feel Starboard tranny kinda shuddering. Slipping maybe. Then all of a sudden I heard something that sounded like the prop eating the rudder. I shut her down and idled in on the Port motor. The Starboard tranny was still turning (looking at the coupler) as I crawled in on the Port motor, so I know I didn't throw a prop. Again let her all sit for a couple hours and then she ran like there was no problem at all.
Mechanic thinks it is bad quality ATF. Anyone had a similar issue? Both tranny were drained and refilled with standard run of the mill Dexron/Mercon III ATF when the motors were put back in 12 hours ago.
Any thoughts on my issue are welcome and appreciated.
Today I went for a cruise and the same thing happened about 45 minutes in. I backed both motors down to about 1200 to 1500 rpm and I could still feel Starboard tranny kinda shuddering. Slipping maybe. Then all of a sudden I heard something that sounded like the prop eating the rudder. I shut her down and idled in on the Port motor. The Starboard tranny was still turning (looking at the coupler) as I crawled in on the Port motor, so I know I didn't throw a prop. Again let her all sit for a couple hours and then she ran like there was no problem at all.
Mechanic thinks it is bad quality ATF. Anyone had a similar issue? Both tranny were drained and refilled with standard run of the mill Dexron/Mercon III ATF when the motors were put back in 12 hours ago.
Any thoughts on my issue are welcome and appreciated.