Care and Feeding of a Kanzaki Transmission

[a64pilot]

I've seen numerous references to the cone type clutch used in these transmissions, and I'm unfamiliar with that technology, but it got me thinking, how best to maintain this thing, what procedures should be followed, what type of oil, how often changed, is Synthetic a good choice here or should it be avoided or does it matter? Best shifting procedure? I always pause in neutral for a sec even when doing a standing turn, should I, or should I pause longer? Ease into throttle after its shifted, or once it's in gear OK to goose it?
Any procedures to be avoided? Example I can't stand hearing someone slowly dragging a Yamaha outboard into gear with the gears grinding the whole time, those you need to smartly shift and not drag the shift out, is that true her or is it better to slowly bring it into gear?
Any maintenance procedures other than oil changes? Anything that needs adjusting periodically?
Am I over thinking this, is this a transmission that never gives trouble?

[Terra Nova]

Have you read the engine owners manual?

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

Have you read the engine owners manual?

Haven't found one yet, can it be downloaded, and the transmission is in the engine manual?
So no, I haven't RTFM yet

[Terra Nova]

That would be an intelligent place to begin.

[roverhi]

IIRC they take straight 30 weight engine oil. According to Yanmar the transmission should be left in neutral when engine is off under sail. Can't stand the noise of the freewheeling prop so have always put it in reverse. So far has survived a TransPac and still works fine.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

That would be an intelligent place to begin.

It would, got a link?

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by roverhi

IIRC they take straight 30 weight engine oil. According to Yanmar the transmission should be left in neutral when engine is off under sail. Can't stand the noise of the freewheeling prop so have always put it in reverse. So far has survived a TransPac and still works fine.

Mine I'm sure uses Auto transmission fluid, or at least that's what's in it anyway.
The Island Packet manual says to leave it in reverse when sailing to prevent excessive cutlass bearing / packing wear. I have an Island Packet manual.

[a64pilot]

It would appear that I have a KW20 transmission and from what I could tell it has multiplate wet clutch disks very similar to a motorcycle, but two clutch packs, one for forward, one for reverse. It uses Dexron and should be changed at 150 hour intervals.

Where are these cones?

Anyone else with a 4JHE engine and needs an engine manual link
http://sagaforumet.com/yanmar-manual/4JHE/manual.pdf

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

It would appear that I have a KW20 transmission and from what I could tell it has multiplate wet clutch disks very similar to a motorcycle, but two clutch packs, one for forward, one for reverse. It uses Dexron and should be changed at 150 hour intervals.

Where are these cones?

Anyone else with a 4JHE engine and needs an engine manual link
http://sagaforumet.com/yanmar-manual/4JHE/manual.pdf

KM series is cone clutch and takes 30 weight oil.

Some pics here:
Yanmar 1GM Chapter 8

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

It would, got a link?

Better! I have the owners manual and factory service manual for my truck, motorcycle, boat and dink motors. Highly recommended.

[Inlet Marine Services]

Need to know what engine this is? Most all Kanazaki transmissions have tags that state on the tag 20/30 which is 20 or 30 weight oil but there is a few models such as the 3hm which used a cross breed ZF trans which took ATF. The KBW-10 uses ATF-A which tells you that is an old transmission. Just use Dex-Merc ATF from a parts store.

[a64pilot]

KBW-20 transmission I believe, uses ATF, I used Dexron when I changed it
Really was wondering if there were any quirks to this transmission, any pecularities, weaknesses, etc. I plan on changing it's fluid when I do oil changes, 100 hr interval or yearly.

[hopkinsonsa]

Just pump out through the dipstick hole? We're getting a hesitation when shifting in gears and have been told to change the ATF fluid in the KBW20. Can I use the same pump I use with the engine oil or will that contaminate it? And should we really be changing it every 150 hours? I'm religious about doing the oil every 100 hours or so, but haven't changed this fluid in 650+ hours and a couple of years.

[rbk]

Got a buddy rebuilding his kanzaki right now from leaving it in reverse while sailing over 14+ years. So while it didn’t destroy it fast, it ultimately did wreck it. Cutlass bearings are cheap, transmissions not so much.