Best lubricant to use in ZF 325-1A Transmission

[Jeremy Bendler]

My boat has twin QSM11 660s with ZF 325-1A transmissions. Engines and transmissions have approx 750 total hours on them. I believe it’s time for me to change the fluid in the transmissions. I purchased the boat with 350 hours on it, and the mechanic that has been maintaining the engines, transmissions etc told me that the transmissions contained a specific oil to help during the break in period. He suggested changing the transmission lubricant at 750 hours.

Here I am now at 750 hours. What is the best oil to fill the ZF 325-1A transmissions with? I use Rotella T4 15W-40 in the QSM11s.

I’m having trouble finding a service schedule or periodic service items specifically for the ZF 325-1As. Other than fluid change and filter change, is there anything else to do periodically on the transmissions?

Thanks, Jeremy

Topic

[Harry Alverio]

Thanks John! That helped

[John]

Harry Alverio wrote:

Hi Rob!! This is a stupid question. I have the zf220a transmision but dont understand what oil to use using ghis chart. Is rotella motor oil 40 ok for my transmission??

So look on page 1 under first column product group. Look for ZF 220 to ZF 83700 with all derived variants “A,….” and so on. That’s your group. Then to the right it shows 04A / 04B / 04C, those are a list of the pages that shows all the oils you can use. This equates to page 3 for 4A type, page 4 for 04B and page 5 for 04C types. Basically there are a ton of options for you to choose from.

At the bottom of page 5, middle column, you’ll see
SHELL ROTELLA T3 15W-40
ROTELLA T3 FLEET 15W- 40
ROTELLA T4 TRIPLE PROTECTION 15W- 40 (CK-4)

Hope that helps.

[Harry Alverio]

Hi Rob!! This is a stupid question. I have the zf220a transmision but dont understand what oil to use using ghis chart. Is rotella motor oil 40 ok for my transmission??

[Tony Athens]

Latest ZF Oil recommendation chart attached,,

Simple to sort out..

Most popular 15W-40’s sold here are included…………

My thoughts——-my belief is, that the popular oil used here that are not listed are just not popular “over there” and have not been tested .. Plus, I also believe there are many “other blends” of oils that may even offer better properties that are not listed…

[Jeremy Bendler]

Thanks!

The bottom line is Yes, I can use the same Rotella T4 that I use in the mains and the generator in the ZF 325-1A transmissions.

[Rob Schepis]

Jeremy Bendler wrote:

I’m not sure where the 325-1A falls on that chart.

The second group: ZF 220 to ZF 60500

[Jeremy Bendler]

Thanks for the chart. I saw that online. I’m not sure where the 325-1A falls on that chart.

I would assume the mechanic in Wancheese followed the transmission lubricant protocol but I don’t have any way of being sure.

[Rob Schepis]

See attached for approved fluids.

Are you saying that at 750 hours the gear oil has never been changed? ZF advises the first change be done early, I believe it’s first 50 hours for the SAE gears and first 25 hours for the ATF gears but the operation manual would confirm.

Do you have the operation manual? We have the manuals available here: https://www.sbmar.com/product-category/technical-documentation/zf-marine-repair-manuals/

[Author]

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