How to Service a V-Drive and Transmission on a Boat- How to DIY Guide 

Oh shoot, sorry dude. Well you won’t make that mistake again. And I’m sure we all have done something like that!

Let us know how it goes!

I have not heard of this before. But it makes sense what you’re telling me. I will say, this boat’s the drive is 21 years old and never had an issue. And this is how everyone else recommends doing it across the forms and groups. But I will investigate what you say and add the details of description I come up with more Intel thank you for sharing.

It may not have been what lead to mine failing, but guessing it does help to service it correctly. Here's a link to the manual for Walter Vdrives: drive.google.com/file/d/1djXBDDYb34elko5w0CtpzEoO3L6cZTe8/view?usp=sharing@@fixitwithjake

Never touched the strainer. Didn't know about it. I'll take a look. Have you found much debris on your plug?

They are $60 a pop. I don't touch mine. You can remove them and clean with compressed air if you want amzn.to/3khWdMy

kevin stapleton sorry I don’t know Kevin.

Hmmm not sure to be honest. I like to follow the owners manual very strictly.

Use 50w!!!!! Malibu axis tech. Get it from the dealer. It’s completely different from 30w

Delvec 50. It also has a much longer life so check it’s quality.. if your dipstick is red then atf if it’s yellow it takes delvec 50

john kachantones no I have not luckily

This is a 325hp Indmar Monsoon. Very similar engine. 2002. I think it’s companies just do simple mods and call them their brand names. For example Malibu calls it a Monsoon and Supra calls it an Assault. But really it’s an indmar. I just looked at your manual a s your boat might have a remote V drive filter. Check out this doc and you should get all the info you need to service it: www.supraboats.com/assets/Boat-Archive/2004/2004_supra_owners_manual.pdf

I just watched the video and if I remember correctly, the V drive dipstick just pulls up and out. It’s aluminum metal with a black rubber O-ring around it. So if you’re having trouble, I would take something like a plastic screwdriver that will not score the metal and wedge between the two to pry it up gently. Also, twisting the dipstick may help. But don’t get too aggressive because the soft aluminum will, start shaving off. If it looks like milkshake on your transmission, it definitely sounds like water got in. I would empty it all and then refill it two or three times with really cheap fluid just to flush out the bad stuff. And then top it off with good fluid. I’m not sure where water may get in, but I think there may be some water cooling lines attached to it to help. Keep it cool while you’re running. If this is not your original boat, maybe they got a bunch of extra water in the bilge and the water leaked in through the top of the transmission. Or maybe this boat has been underwater.

Correct. The forward most drive is the v drive and it takes SAE30 on this boat. The other device behind it, is the transmission that selection forward, neutral or reverse. It takes ATF fluid. Reference the owners manual for your boat. In the back it will tell you exactly what fluids to use for each reservoir.

Each V drive brand and year has a specific oil requirement. There’s usually a label on the v drive to remind you. So be careful to put in the correct fluid.

@@fixitwithjake so v drives are Dex3 and straight drive was 424 old cast iron models.

Oh that’s good to know! Thanks for sharing! I didn’t know this.

Does not need to be running. It is simply a reservoir that you suction to remove the old fluids and top off with new fluids. Most have a Walter V drive.

We do it once a season bc we rarely put on 100hrs a summer. Check your engine manual. But usually every 100hrs or once a year. Whatever comes first.

great advice! Thank you.

I have before. But not anymore. We don’t get hard freezes here.

@@fixitwithjake totally understand, but do you know or are familiar with the process? This is my first boat and there are two of these and I'm trying to find information and there's nothing on winterizing

Ya. Follow my FB group called Malibu and Axis Owners and make a post and there’s thousands of other owners that can walk you through the process. There’s multiple ways to do it. Basically you run the engine on antifreeze mix until thermostat opens, the drain all areas of the engine. But make a post and get detail step by step help. See ya over there. facebook.com/groups/327295504286386/

I’m not following? :)

@@fixitwithjake for my boat 86 Carver 28 ft I can’t even see where the other actual tranny fluid location would be besides on the v drive where you fill with SAE 30 etc

@@fixitwithjake he means the empty beers cans 🇺🇸