Hi Mike,
I have had a long happy and less happy life with my two Perkins and
their BW transmissions but changing the fluid is not a big deal.
1) Dexron Dot III is fine; any ATF Dot III will do.
2) I don't remember exactly but something about 1 liter (two cans)
3) Check ONLY with the dipstick on the upper bolt while the latter is
fully inside its place. I have never emptied the sump by undoing the
bottom bolt and I would discourage it. Use something like a siringe to
suck it from the dipstick hole. The less number of bolts you fiddle
with, the best.
4) no gremlins whatsoever: do not overfill and beware of the fluid: it's
highly corrosive.
5) the fluid should be reddish even after few years. If it is not then
you may have a problem. In particular a white fluid stands for water in
it and a hole in the heat exchanger. Guess why I mentioned it...
6) one of the most common problems after a number of years is a low
level and the damn red fluid in the bilge. Guess again...

Happy sailing
Daniel
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ha scritto:
Hi all,

Going on a weekend cruise this weekend, and want to be sure to get
this tranny fluid change right the first time.

I would really appreciate any and all help here.

1. What type of fluid is best - I have Dexron III ready to go.

2. How much fluid will I need?

3. Procedure is just take out bottom bolt - then take out top bolt to
release all fluid. Put in bottom bolt - fill till the fluid leaks
over the lip of the top bolts threads (is this bolt horizontal or
vertical??? I'm not at the boat now) - then run the top bolt back
in?? Yes?? or is the only way to tell when full by checking
dipstick?

4. Any particular gremlins to beware of?

5. What kind of things can I be looking for in the old fluid (color,
texture, smell, etc....) that would indicate anything, and if so,
what. And if so, how to avoid those problems in the future.

Thanks in advance for your help - this forum has always been a great
resource for us.

Thanks,