cheswest
Cadet
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2015
- Messages
- 29
[h=2]This is my first shot at this forum but I am in need of some pretty specific help here. I have a 242 Regal Commodore that is in fantastic shape. That is, until the beginning of this season when just after a few short day trips, I discovered my ATF in my Bennett Tab reservoir was all but empty. I did a fairly comprehensive inspection of the whole system and found no sign of fluid loss inside the bilge or outside the transom. I refilled and after another 2 hour use, came back to the dock, opened the engine cover and discovered more fluid missing! This time, I broke out the flashlight and sat in the bilge for 25 minutes and lo and behold I caught a tiny "drool" of ATF coming from around a through-transom screw that holds the support rod for the swim platform...ie...coming from inside the transom cavity / core. I did some research on here and found that the pipe nipple can fail and blamed that...So I pulled it out and discovered that though the nipple was fine, it had been installed (seemingly at the factory) cross threaded and the fluid had pushed back around the sealant into the transom wall. When I pulled the screws from the actual tab mount bracket, fluid actually drained out through two of the holes!! I have gotten most of the fluid out, I'm thinking and have ordered a new top hinge - part 18. I'm thinking I am close to reinstalling....But before I do: 1. thoughts on effect of ATF on core / glass? Should I be panicked? 2. What can I use to clean surfaces before re-seating nipple and screws with 5200? 3. Should I use a thread sealer just to be sure...once bitten twice shy. I don't want to go down this road again. I prefer the bubbling oil to be left with the Beverly Hillbillies and not every screw hole in my transom. Cheers Ches[/h]