ZF 220a life expectancy

[Tim Klassen]

I have a Cummins 6bta 370 with a ZF 220A gear. The boat was built in 2001 and had 1,000 hours when I purchased it 6 years ago. Since then I have put about 3500 additional hours on it with fluid changes at recommended intervals. It has always chattered at light loads but it seems to be a little noisier this year. How much life can I expect out of it. Rebuild or replace?

Topic

[Tim Klassen]

Thanks for the reply. Tony, you replaced the torsional coupling when you swapped out the gear to the engine I purchased from you. I pulled the strainer and plug when I changed fluid in May. The magnet only had a tiny bit of gray fuzz and the screen was clean. It sounds like this thing should last a while longer.

[Tony Athens]

Original torsional coupling?

Last time you pulled the strainer and mag Plug under the oil pump?

I have seen plenty of these gears make 10,000 hours but I have also seen them go poo-poo long before that due to various installation related or “nut behind the wheel” issues………..Overall, a really good smaller gear that does not have any systemic issues.

[Author]

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