2008 SANTE 210 V-drive slipping acceleration

[ChrisETX]

New to me 2008 SANTE 210 ZR6. Got it about 6 weeks ago. Well now there is a slipping on hard acceleration when pulling someone out of the water. Slips like it is losing power then picks back up. There seems to be some oil in the the bilge. Engine runs great and engine oil full. I'm thinking I have a V-drive issue. I checked the fill plug and it's still full and fluid looks new (was changed 6 weeks ago). Not sure what I have going on or where the oil is coming from or if I'm missing something.

I've been through some of the "slipping" threads on here from a search. I'm going to have to take it in but I'm just curious if anyone has any insight on what I've got on my hands now...

[ChrisETX]

Found the problem. Transmission is leaking...

[jpwhit]

Once the transmission is slipping, typically the clutches in the transmission are damaged are aren't going to hold again without a rebuild or transmission replacement. You would be very lucky if that's not the case. I mention this not because I want to be the bearer of bad news, but to let you know don't drive the boat and have it slip anymore if you want to have any chance of possibly saving the transmission.

Your boat also more than likely has a PCM 40 series transmission. That transmission is no longer made and parts for a rebuild aren't in production anymore and are very rare to find. So, if the transmission is damaged, your only option is going to be to upgrade to the newer PCM 80 series transmission. Which is a better and more robust transmission. Unfortunately the price of the 80 series transmission has more than doubled in the last few years.

Gaskets and seals for 40 series transmission are available, so fixing the leak is possible if there is no other damage to the transmission.

[ChrisETX]

Thanks for insight. I'm sure it's the PCM 40. I've considered refilling fluid and testing on the lake to see if it does it again. I've read about them not being able to rebuild so it will likely have to be replaced anyway. Around $6k for replacement.

[jpwhit]

There is a slight chance that the pump inside the transmission isn't developing full pressure and therefore not engaging the clutches firmly enough.

I would change the fluid, which may be moot depending on how much has leaked out, but I'd suck out any old fluid that you can. Some would say suck out what you can, add new fluid, run it gently for just long enough to warm it up, and then suck that out and replace to get as much of the old gunk out as you can.

Then if you want to attach a hydraulic pressure gauge and check the pressure, that would be the next step. But that only makes sense if you check and you can get parts for the pump.

Then, If while keeping the fluid at the correct level, the boat will take a full throttle starts without any slipping. Then you're lucky. Pull the transmission and fix the leak.

[swatguy]

I thought I blew my tranny completely last year on my 2008 210. Turns out they just replaced the damper plates instead of having to drop the 80 in there.