Checking Transmission Fluid on Mariner

[capt2stu]

We recently purchased a 1993 330 Mariner. We love the boat, but now realizing some of the sacrificies made for the roominess inside the cabin. In looking for the dipstick for the transmission fluid, I finally found it, I think - looks like they are underneath the cabin behind the batteries. I don't see any way to get to them without removing the batteries.

Mariner owners - is this correct? Has anyone done something to make it easier to check?

Appreciate any suggestions on this or other items you have discovered that could prove helpful.

 

[LoveByter]

Hi
I have the exact same boat,'93 330 Mariner, with twin Crusader 350 xl.
I can get to my tranny dipsticks by sitting on a board over the battery boxes and reaching back. The board rests on the stringers and goes over the battery boxes.

The port engine dipstick is on the inboard (side closest to the centerline)side. It has a "T" type handle that you unscrew to pull out. I would guess the dipstick is no more than seven or eight inches long.
The one on the starboard engine is on the outboard side of the tranny case. I can reach them both from atop battery boxes.

Hope this helps.

Frank

 

[capt2stu]

Frank,

Thanks for the reply. I am trying to understand what you mean, unless our layouts are different. There is very little room above the battery boxes, in fact it wasn't easy to check the water in the batteries.

Stu

 

[LoveByter]

Stu,
Are your batteries sitting on platform just off the hull?
That's where mine are. If I had to guess, I'd say I have at least a couple of feet of clearance above my batteries to the underside of the cabin.
I'll try to post some pics if I can.

Frank

 

[capt2stu]

Frank,

I emailed the prior owner about checking the transmission fluid and he said the dip stick is directly behind each engine sitting high in the silver insulation and I shouldn't have a problem checking them, which is different from what my mechanic said. I am going down to the boat Wednesday afternoon, so will check it out. My batteries are on the hull in battery cases, not sure whether they are on a platform. They are in a row forward, below the coolant containers.