why do my transmissions puke fluid when I am in rough water.the fluid is coming from the vent on top of the housing.this only happens when I get into rough water.

might be overfilled?

that would be my guess.

Not super uncommon for a b-w tranny to foam a little out the vent on high speed run even if not overfilled. When you buy a modified trans from Huber he used to recommend type f fluid and a puke tank above trans hooked to where vent cap is .Since his trannies are apart for mods he taps that hole for 1/8" pipe to screw a nipple into. Been years ago but I had somehow hooked a line to the stub that is left when vent cap comes off and run a short piece of hose UP to a small breather/puke tank. After the run gravity just lets it settle back in to trans.
And what dereknkathy said ..Make sure it isn't overfilled ..

All the above posts are on target.

How old are they? Plug-in style?

There is a design flaw in the housing on the older units. I cannot tell you exactly when but VD corrected it at some point. Also the newer units have a plastic splash shield that helps. They never did correct it on the drive line housings, is still a problem. This is one of the things we fix when we do an upgrade.

The problem is the drum picks up oil and throws it up at the vent area. And if it is over filled it is worse. Back in the day VD & Mercury came up with a kit that extended the dipstick tube and added a fitting in the side of it. Then ran a hose from the vent to the tube so it just went back in.

A catch can was the standard fix until we figured it out.

yes,They never did correct it on the drive line housings, is still a problem. This is one of the things we fix when we do an upgrade.

the trans are 1985 c-72,s.so.is the vent on top of the housing taped for pipe threade or can I slip a hose over top of vent and plumb to a puke tank?will the trans still vent through the tank or add another vent to the top of the tank.?any help would be great....I don't need to tell you guys the freaking mess it has made in the bilge.thanks

Most likely it is not threaded. You can snap that little cap off and put a hose on the nipple. Yes - vent your catch can.

thanks all for taking the time to help with my problem.i think I will try a puke tank.