www.iFourWinns.com

Hi everyone, new boat owner and new member here. We recently purchased a 2006 190 Horizon, it checked out great and runs great as well. The first 2 times I had it out it all was good when I returned home. The morning after its 3 trip on the water I found what I thought was dirty water in the bilge area. I proceeded to pull out the plug and drain what I thought was water. I quickly realized what I thought was water was very oiley and clumpy, and by that time it was too later and oil poured all over the driveway. I looked around the engine and was unable to see any apparent leak so I checked the oil level (close to normal level), cleaned the bilge area out and went back out on the water. A half hour into the trip I checked the bilge to see more oil. I took it out of the water and took it to a shop. After a day of looking they have found an oil leak in 2 different places around the oil pan and they tell me they will need to take the engine out to repair it at a cost of about $1800, not cheap...... This boat has about 40 hours on it and I'm feeling like I may have made a big mistake in thinking this would be a good time. : ) Has anyone experienced this type of issue before? It seems very strange that the seal at the oil pan would be bad at 40 hours. I know this boat has had proper care as all the receipts from its maintenance (yearly service) came with it.

Thanks very much for a great resource, I've learned a ton here!

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Dave
2006 Four Winns 190 Horizon

Sorry to hear this! Is there any warranty left on it?

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

What engine is it?

For an $1800 oil leak I would investigate a little further. If the pan seals are leaking, did the pan bolts loosen due to vibration? Are they sure it is not from the valve covers, oil filter, or fittings attached to the pan? What was the last service done to the engine?

Is the shop reputable?

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2006 Four Winns 278 Vista.
Volvo Penta 8.1L, Duo Prop,
Kohler 5E Generator.

I'm doubtful there is any warranty left, but I have made some calls and am in the process of looking into that.

The shop I took it too is not a dealer. In asking around to other boat owners, this shop came highly recommended from others. It's a small little shop with about 3 people working there. The shop owner is who I have been dealing with. He did say that he checked everything on the hopes that it was something simple. I did as much checking as I could before I took it in and I couldnt find anything either. I'm fairly mechanically inclined (cars and motorcycles mostly) but this is my first boat, and have found that things are a bit different than what I'm used to.

The engine is 4.3 Volvo Penta. The last service was full winterization last fall.

The shop owner also said that many times these engines dont come with an actual gasket at the oil pan but rather a bead of silicone. He felt as though it was a little thin in spots and said he has seen this a couple times in the past. He also mentioned that the majority of the $1800 was due to the labor involved in removing the engine to replace the seal/gasket.

Any further opinions are welcome!

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Dave
2006 Four Winns 190 Horizon

I would try to get a conversation going with a shop that has a relationship with Volvo. This sounds like an obvious defect that they should at least help out with some "good will" money for. But you might need a shop who will go to bat for you with Volvo.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Thanks Mike, I gave it a try and they pretty much said: "warranty on a 2006? Uhmmm, no" I asked if he felt as though it was a manufacturers defect and he said "it's hard to say". Then I asked him if this is typical on a boat with 45ish hrs, his reply was "not at all". Needless to say, the poor things I have heard about the local Volvo dealer seem to be true. I just hope this isnt the start of one problem after another, like some of the nightmare stories I have heard from others.

Thanks again!

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Dave
2006 Four Winns 190 Horizon

I recall reading a thread on Iboats.com about a late model Merc 4.3 that had an issue with the oil pan/front cover leaking...apparently the parts are cast aluminum and there was a machining issue that cause a crack and then a leak...not sure if this applies to your year but worth asking about..

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php ... ost2491116

even though its about a Merc the engines are the same from Merc to Volvo still a GM engine....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thanks Lou! Got a call from the mechanic working on my boat this afternoon. He asked that I stop by so he could show me the problem. Turns out the front timing cover was cracked! Just like the original poster at the link you provided. In my case it appeared as though someone had tried to repair it at the factory as there was a grey silicone caulk like substance all over it.

For more details check the link you provided! It looks as though this may turn out to be a serious design flaw, and a huge pain in the butt!

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Dave
2006 Four Winns 190 Horizon