Cleaning Allison M20 Strainers

[dwaynec]

I am going to clean the strainers on the M20s in the boat as part of getting it ready to head south this fall. Since I just got my bilges nice and clean this spring, how much oil can I expect to come out of the cap when I loosen it? I would like to have enough diapers under there to keep the mess, if any, at a minimum.

As you can tell, I have never done this before, and am doing it now to try and keep problems at a minimum on the long trip.

Thanks.

 

[REBrueckner]

No oil comes out when you remove the tranny strainer cap....and you can pump 98% of the tranny oil thru the dipstick, when you want to change it by inserting a small enough plastic/vinyl tube.

Changing the tranny filter can be messy...so draining oil into a can first is convenient...

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Both the strainer and dipsticks are siamesed, and are threaded in with 3/4 npt bases. When I did my trans job, I had a chance to file clean the faces on the strainer for a good gasket surface. Now would be the time to upgrade to spin on trans filters as well !! ws

 

[SLIDELLBIGAL]

Be sure to get new gaskets before you start or you will be cutting them out yourself.

 

[dwaynec]

Thanks, guys. I was afraid that it could get kinda messy, and wanted to be prepared.

 

[REBrueckner]

And that reminds me: when I went to do mine some years ago a bolt broke off rather easily....so maybe apply a little PB blaster or equivalent the day before disassembly is a reasonable idea...and then tapping before removal....I was surprised how easily it twisted..must have been some soft bolt....it WAs easy to drill and retap because it was soft....I'd replace those bolts with ss if doing it again....

 

[Walter P]

Rob,

SS bolts are not always a good idea. While there are some advantages to SS as far as corrosion issues are concerned, generally they are weaker and will twist apart easier than a proper steel bolt. I believe we use hardened steel bolts for strength and paint to protect them from corrosion.

I agree with you in using SS bolts?screws only in cases of moderate to slight pressure (torque) requirements.

Walt

 

[Glory]

Put grease on every bolt you install on a boat. This will help prevent moisture from getting in and provide lube for the next removal.

JM

 

[SLIDELLBIGAL]

I use a can of starting fluid to clean the screens. If there is a lot of paper brown looking stuff, thats clutch plate could be bad depending on how much, if the screen is torn, that means that there was/is metal passing through it and that is bad. let us know what you find.

Allen

 

[dwaynec]

Right now I am in the process of putting PB Blaster on the bolts and giving them a little tap each day to try and not break any of the bolts. On our boat the strainers are not in the most convenient place to work. Basically, I have to lay on top of the battery boxes to get to them. It will probably be Friday before I get down to doing the job. Earning boat money is getting in my way for the "fun" stuff.

About how tight should I tighten the bolts when I put things back together? About 10 lps sound about right. The Allison manuel is silent on the strainers.