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ZF 550 A Transmission Oil

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by T.K., Jun 27, 2011.

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  1. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    Good afternoon Gentlemen,

    A quick question on the oil type needed for the ZF 550 A marine transmission. The manual says to use a monograde SAE 30 oil. Is it ok to use a multigrade oil instead, SAE 15W40?

    Thanks..........
  2. oldsalt312

    oldsalt312 Guest

    ZF-Oil

    I just ran into a customer who was asking this same question. I had run some oil samples for ZF transmissions using regular grade oil, needless to say, the PPM in the oil was about 3 times the specification from ZF. I would use a regular 30 Grade oil. Mercury High Performance Steering Fluid 0W-30 works good in most ZF Transmissions.
  3. 61c40

    61c40 Member

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    I have found that a NON detergent hydraulic oil such as any AW 32 is a superior transmission lubricant. I was told by transmission repair man back in 1975 to try it on an application that was needing major service every 2000 hrs! After switching to a non detergent oil the rebuild interval was extended to over 10,000 hrs. the agitation of the motor oil with detergents was allowing a foaming that was inhibiting the lubrication of the transmission.
  4. vivariva

    vivariva Senior Member

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    Hello TK,

    We are using a multi-grade oil in our transmission since April, a Volvo Penta S Drive Engine. It is working well so far. Yours might have much higher loads and temp. levels but the principles should be the same.

    I believe the multigrade should be able to handle the changes in the temperature.

    Regards,
    Vivariva
  5. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    I have been asking around and I am getting a lot of mixed answers. Some say you must stick to a monograde oil, an SAE30 or an SAE40 for hotter climates and some say a multigrade oil is fine, an SAE15W40.

    It's very confusing. I think the only person who could resolve this matter is someone from ZF.
  6. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    Hi TK,

    Most of the ZF's we work with on smaller CATs and Volvo D6, D9 and D12's run straight monograde SAE40 but we live in Northern Europe were the sea temp is a little lower than the Med or the Red Sea.

    SAE30 will complement hotter climates a little but not make much of a difference in overall wear of parts. Stick with one but change it as often as the manual says.

    I've mostly used straight 40 in boats in the Caribbean.
  7. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    Excellent, that is the best straight answer I have received from anyone.....thank you.

    I was under the impression SAE40 was more suitable for hotter climates than the SAE30.
  8. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    That is correct, the same goes when using a mono grade engine oil, it is sometimes quite surprising how much the lube consumption can be reduced by changing from a 30 to a 40wt Oil - Monogrades are frowned upon by many new engine manufacturers today so please don't take this as read that all engines should be on straight 40 :)
  9. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    Thanks K1W1 for your input.

    TK.....
  10. CSkipR

    CSkipR Member

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    Since buying my boat of 6 yrs now it has used Mobil 1 Delvac 5-40w synthetic in the engines and trans (ZF350A). A while back I called ZF because I was reading the ZF manual and it mentioned use 40w. They indicated it was not a problem using multigrade oil in warmer climates such as Florida.
  11. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    Thank you CSkipR. Your post has been very useful. I was also thinking of contacting the marine department at ZF for information on this matter, but you already did it for me.

    I guess Egypt can be compared to Florida when it comes to ambient temperatures, if not hotter.