firtst trip this year

[plus]

I took my epic 20 out for the first time this year.  Blew out a tire on the way to the lake, unfortunately.  The wheels from my horse trailer fit, so I was able to get to the lake and do the "check it out" thing.

It cranked and ran fine on the lake - but I did notice what looks like some fresh droplets of tranmission fluid in the bilge after I pulled it out.  I didn't check the forum before winterizing unfortunately, and my efforts mainly consisted of blowing the water out of the boat by revving the engine.

Where is the transmission, and has anyone had any spillage from it?  I know this is a pretty lame post, but hey - it's a starting point for me.

[plus]

Sorry - it's an epic 22

http://www.twowheelcrew.com/pics/index.php?mode=thumb&dir=.%2FMike%27s+Pics%2Fboats&view=img&img=0

is it okay to post links?

[toyotafreak]

Post anything you like (so long as it's fit for kids).

I apparently overfilled my tranny last year - put a full two quarts in. I'll tell you that two quarts is too much. Fluid in excess of what you need spews out the relief port on the top, port side of the tranny on my v-drive. Overfilling is never a good thing. My boat's sitting with one quart in it right now so that I can get it exactly right (on the lake). Figure about 1.5qts for mine.

The proper method to check fluid is to run the engine and then in the quickest manner, turn off the engine, pull and wipe the stick and then drop it back dow to the top of th threads (don't engage the threads.) The point here is that you need to read the level before the fluid in the cooling path settles. Run it, then quickly shutdown, wipe, stuff, read. It should be between the marks.

This year, when I get the level dialed, I'm going to mark the dipstick with the cooling portion fully drained - will watch it for some time, and if it's repeatable/reliable, I'll probably start measuring to that instead of the hurry-up version.