www.iFourWinns.com

Hey all,
My 2012 H260 is about turn 100 hours. I've always done the general maintenance and winterization on it and have used my dealer for larger things such as alignment checks, etc. While my 8.2 has never struggled, I've noticed this year it didn't have the "get up and go" it once had while pulling skiers and tubers. There are a few things I haven't done since the beginning. Fuel filter, air filter, impeller, and prop maintenance. So my question is, how often should the fuel and air filter be changed? Second question, is it necessary to have my props "re-tuned" back to spec since aluminum can change shape over time? Everything else I have been religious about, engine oil, drive oil, all other fluid checks, and checks the dealer has done such as engine alignment, grease points, etc.

Thanks!

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Current Boats:
2012 FW H260, 8.2 B3X (DTS) "Ctrl-Alt-Delete"
Previous Boats:
1984 Century 5000, Merc 260 Alpha 1
2012 Yamaha VXR

Kansas City, MO

I change my fuel filter every season. No air filter- but I clean the spark arrestor about once a month.

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-Andrew

1984 Four Winns 225 Sundowner
5.0L Mercruiser, Alpha 1

Same, I change the fuel filter in the spring and pour it out in a Mason jar and make sure there is no water in the fuel. I change the plugs, cap n rotor every other season. I do the points n condenser (ancient stuff, 60s tech but it works) whenever the points start to get pitted/burned. Otherwise, I just check and set the dwell, timing and idle. Clean the flame arrestor, make sure the ESA works and she's ready to go.

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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

Your props are stainless steel and are likely in good shape.

A good check for engine and drive performance would be to do a wide open run and see what your MAX RPM is compared to the spec max RPM. If your RPMs come up high or low you could start looking at props, fuel, air filter/flame arrestors.

The flame arrestors get bunged up with belt dust and need to be blown out.

Nice Boat!

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

Thanks alex8q4, LouC, and Vintage Beauty! I will certainly add changing the fuel filter to my yearly maintenance. I'll also clean the flame arrestor, I recall it being a little dirty so that could be part of the issue. Two weeks ago I did a WOT run with about 4 people on board and 3/4 tank of fuel. I noticed I wasn't getting to my full top speed but I wasn't far off. At the time I just thought the water was a little too glassy for top speed. I'll report back in a few weeks when I have a chance to get on the boat again.

Oh, LouC, I haven't had to talk about points and condensers in a long time! My old '52 8N Ford is the last thing I own with points and condensers. Ha ha

Thanks

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Current Boats:
2012 FW H260, 8.2 B3X (DTS) "Ctrl-Alt-Delete"
Previous Boats:
1984 Century 5000, Merc 260 Alpha 1
2012 Yamaha VXR

Kansas City, MO

Yes, a dirty flame arrestor can slowly rob you of a little power, and there are no other symptoms. It's as if full-throttle isn't full-throttle anymore.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings