www.iFourWinns.com

So trying to get boat ready for spring. I'm changing the drive fluid on the SX cobra drives (1997). The dipstick has broken off of the screw and is in that hole!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What do i have to do ti get it out? Drop lower unit?

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1997 278 Vista twin 5.7's

is it stainless? if not use a telliscoping magnet that can fit down the tube, it may work.. if not remove drive, turn over, and shake to get out the "loose change"



how much is left in the drive?

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"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

I just checked my spare drive parts pile, and you can remove the top bearing cover, its easy, take plastic cover off and then just two reat 3/8 bolts and it comes right off. you should be able to get out the rest with a magnet.

let me know how you make out

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

i have removed the bearing cover. the entire length of the dipstick is down there it is approximately 5" down from the top of the hole.i did not have any luck with the magnets but since someone before me put in a differnt dipstick im not sure if it is stainless or not. ive already drained the gear fluid so tomm i will try and remove the drive and turn it upside down hopefully it will just fall out.

sometimes i think god doesnt want me to go boating!

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1997 278 Vista twin 5.7's

the factory one is not stainless, I have a few and a magnet does stick to it. the gear oil could be making it stick inside, making it harder.

I would try a few more tricks before removing the drive... if you get another dip stick and coat it with something like "STP" oil treatment or something else that is really sticky and send it down and get the old one to stick to it, it could work.

before you start try cleaning out the hole with brake cleaner, just make sure the drain plug is out to drain out the excess

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

Will give it a shot again today. Have ti remove the drives anyway this spring to inspect the bellows and bearings. I purchased this boat in October used it a few times and then winterized it.

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1997 278 Vista twin 5.7's

I don't know how much room you have, but can you get a fish hook set of pliers in there....the kind that are long and narrow. There are also some specialty needle nose type pliers like those used to change old style drum brakes-

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Or that spring loaded 3 jaw device for grabbing things that wind up in inaccessible spots.
If you're removing the drives and have not done it before, keep in mind that they are heavy and re-installing can be tricky because it can be hard to keep the u/joints and drive shaft straight. I had built a wood cart with adjustible casters to install it which helped. Recently I bought an out drive installer from Stumpys Fab Works that is very well made and has a trailer jack to get the height just right. Well worth it if you do this yearly as I do. It also allows you to pivot the mount so if yo clamp the drive on the mount you can use it as a work station and get that dipstick out.

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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

its out!!!! the hole is the size of a Bic pen its like trying to get the ink part out of the outer part except it was 6" down. I wound up buying every tool that i thought would help. I even bought one of those metal finger grabby things. The first one i bought would not fit down the hole. I found a diff one and that was able to go down the hole but there was no room to open the fingers. I had to bend each of the four metal fingers straight and with that and about a half an hour of trial and error i finally was able to grab the dipstick and bring it to the surface.

the tools that i magnetized were not strong enough to pull the dipstick away from the remaining oil. Thanks everyone for the advice

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1997 278 Vista twin 5.7's

good news, better than tipping that heavy drive upside down and risking hurting you or it

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

+1.

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

Awesome...nothing like the feeling of victory.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Good news you were able to get it out. There is a tool I have, that I use for retrieving steel parts from awkward areas like that. I can't remember were I got it from, but it's like a telescopic auto antenna/ telescopic pointer with a super strong 1/4" diameter rare earth metal magnet on the end.

As a matter of interest, what actually "broke" ? Did the steel rod section snap off the plug? Or, was it originally 2 pieces and the steel rod fell out of the plug? If the latter, what is it that holds them together in the first place ?