'99 Vista 258 issues

JPride · **Joined:** Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:22 pm **Posts:** 4

I recently purchased a '99 258 Vista (late summer 2011) and was wondering if anyone knew of any known problems I should look out for. The boat was kept in great condition and was serviced regularly. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

Jamie

rpengr · **Posted:** Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:39 pm

What Engine / Drive combo?

JPride · **Joined:** Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:22 pm **Posts:** 4

She has a Volvo Penta 5.7 GSI with a duo stainless prop. Not sure of the outdrive model

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Fri Dec 07, 2012 3:02 pm

Your engine/drive combo is usually not a worry, if it was older than a 1999 with OMC stuff, then it might be an issue.
Can't remember if 1999 still had the ill-fated VDO gauge cluster. Hopefully you do not.
The major issues I can recall with 258 Vista is water intrusion in the cabin. Port lites tend to leak, anchor locker tends to leak on some.
Water from the aft bilge that does not get pumped out can move forward under the cabin floor. Any leaks that you may have forward, will
accumulate under the cabin floor/table area because there is no place for it to go.

Read this thread, fairly common problem with 258's and 268 Vista's.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8579&hilit=CABIN+LEAK

JPride · **Joined:** Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:22 pm **Posts:** 4

Thanks for the info.

rpengr · **Posted:** Sat Dec 08, 2012 7:41 am

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

Your engine/drive combo is usually not a worry, if it was older than a 1999 with OMC stuff, then it might be an issue.
Can't remember if 1999 still had the ill-fated VDO gauge cluster. Hopefully you do not.

I know that the 1999-2000 Horizons had the VDO gauge cluster, so the Vista probably did as well. Mine is still working fine, but many owners have had problems. There is one company that does repairs. You can also find threads on how to add a ground wire to the VDO board that fixes some problems. There are other threads on how to change out to conventional gauges.

The Volvo Penta drive and 5.7 is a great unit, but I/O's do take more maintenance than Outboards. Not knowing your experience with I/O's, I will mention the following which is well covered in this forum:

Waterpump impeller should be changed often (I would say 3 years max, but 1-2 years is better). If you wait until the vanes break off, they clog up the thermostat housing or other passageways.

Outdrive Gear Oil level/color should be checked (every 2-3 months?). Milky oil means water intrusion, so the seals would need repair. Change Outdrive Gear Oil every 1-2 years (Volvo Synthetic Oil).

Outdrive should be removed Once per year, Grease Splines and Universal Joints, Check Bellows and replace if questionable (especially upper bellows, because a leak there = water in the boat and ruined universal joints). Exhaust bellows (lower one) does not matter much because a leak there does not matter...most have drain holes anyway.

Exhaust Manifolds / Risers must be replaced before they rust through and leak water back into the engine. 5-12 years depending on Salt vs Fresh water and how they were cared for. Many threads cover this issue.

Some VP Fuel Injected engines had an issue with the Electric Fuel Pump, but I think it was later years than yours.

bluebaron · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 1:40 pm

I have a 99 258 with 5.7 it has the volvo duo SS prop. Three things stand out: windows are not operable, the VDO gages always beep, and the small swim platform. I put on a FW swim platform. I haven't addressed the windows or vdo yet.

JPride · **Joined:** Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:22 pm **Posts:** 4

Thanks for all of the info.

This is my 4th boat over the past 15 years so all the routine maintenance is nothing new to me.
As of the end of this season, I've had no trouble with my gauges and no water issues that I have noticed but it I did notice how the fwd bilge seems to not be able to drain the fwd hull. After reading the thread , this is something I plan on looking into this spring.

My windows all seem to be working properly, except needing to replace my hatch seal to solve a minor leak and tightening the screws on the closing clamps on the hull windows. She came with a nice extended swim platform so I don't need to deal with the small platform like I have on other boats I've owned.

The only major problem I've had is the front plastic turning brown. I've had this happen on other boats after the canvas gets so old but I still can't find a way to prevent it.

www.iFourWinns.com

'99 Vista 258 issues

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