idle rpm and shifting

tablerock230 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 10, 2016 6:23 pm **Posts:** 6

Hi.

I'm new to the forum. I have a new H230 now with about 20 hrs. VP 300 DP. Shifting into forward and reverse has always produced a loud clunk sound. I thought it was a little excessive but figured probably normal. Docking has also been a little stressful as I seem to come in pretty fast in idle, so going into and out of gear more often then I was used to. Finally became a little curious and checked the manual. It indicates idle RPM should be 600. My engine -cold or warm -is running 1100 to 1200. I will touch base with my dealer tomorrow. I'm not mechanically inclined so unless an easy adjustment I will leave it up to the dealer to fix. But has shifting at this rpm damaged the unit? Thanks in advance.

Surface Interval · **Posted:** Sun Jul 10, 2016 8:45 pm

i would recommend having the dealer address the issue as adjustment to an initial set-up or as a warranty issue. Also, discuss the shifting issue with them. Its possible that no damage has been done, but discuss it with the dealer and have the "fast idle and hard/loud shifting" entered on the work order so it is a matter of record.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Sun Jul 10, 2016 11:58 pm

It's unlikely any damage has been done but I'd get it addressed as soon as possible. Sounds like either the shift cable or shifter is way out of adjustment, the cable is not installed correctly, or maybe is even the wrong cable.

What part of TR do you frequent? And I'm curious, who is your dealer (since FW dealers are close to non-existent in this area now)?

rpengr · **Posted:** Mon Jul 11, 2016 6:55 am

That should not have caused any harm, but your really going to like how smooth they shift at 600 rpm.

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Jul 11, 2016 8:02 am

Even the dog clutch Cobra shifts very smooth at 600!

GottWhat · **Posted:** Mon Jul 11, 2016 9:20 am

I agree that the higher RPM at idle is likely causing the harder shifting. Let us know what the dealer does to correct the issue. Good luck

tablerock230 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 10, 2016 6:23 pm **Posts:** 6

Thanks for the responses. I talked to the dealer and he's getting me on the schedule to take a look. I'll provide update when I know more.

Mike- We are at Kimberling City. A couple coves west of the bridge. Sportboats USA in Ozark now sells Four Winns. A lot of change in local deanships. Change in Cobalt, Chap, dealers also.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Tue Jul 12, 2016 4:01 am

We're out of Kimberling also (Port of Kimberling). I had no idea anyone was selling FW there. Hope to make your acquaintance.

tablerock230 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 10, 2016 6:23 pm **Posts:** 6

Dealer took a look yesterday. Says the cable and motor are fine. RPM are right on at 600. Says the gauge is not accurate. Says the clunk when going into gear is normal. Assures me no problem or damage done. I'll take that answer unless someone more knowledgeable thinks I'm being misled.

Mike. I'm down at the lake every weekend. Let me know when you are in town.

LouC · **Posted:** Thu Jul 14, 2016 7:11 pm

If that's true have them replace the tach then.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Thu Jul 14, 2016 7:13 pm

Well, I'd only say that it would be the first Volvo I've ever heard "clunk." But, they've seen it and I haven't.

I'll holler when I'm down. Might be going Sunday for a few days but not sure yet.

rpengr · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2016 7:46 am

The Carbureted engines should be 550-650 rpm idle In Gear (in the water), and will be a little higher in neutral. Also yet a little higher when running on the cuffs because there is no back pressure on the exhaust.

The Fuel injected engines are computer controlled and should be 600 rpm in neutral or in gear. A high idle would usually only be caused by a throttle cable adjustment (not reaching the idle stop), or by a faulty IAC (Idle Air Controller). A faulty IAC often causes surging of the idle RPM.

tablerock230 wrote:

Dealer took a look yesterday. Says the cable and motor are fine. RPM are right on at 600. Says the gauge is not accurate. Says the clunk when going into gear is normal. Assures me no problem or damage done. I'll take that answer unless someone more knowledgeable thinks I'm being misled.

If it really is idling at 600 rpm and seems to be producing a loud clunk sound, I would have try to have them prove to you that this is normal. Is there another new boat there that they could demonstrate to you that it shifts the same? (with a similar size VP DP drive). Maybe it's an intermittent problem and they did not see the same rpm as you have been seeing? If not, then as Lou said, they should replace the Tach under warranty if it is reading almost double at idle.

My boat idles at 600rpm (in gear), and 1200rpm is about as fast as I can go in a "no wake zone" pushing the boat at 6-7 mph. That's a big difference.

LouC · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:29 am

Exactly I agree with Ray here. You want some independent verification that they are right because if there is an issue with the drive it can be very expensive to fix out of warrantee. Personally I'd get my own tach and check it myself. As President Regan said "trust but verify"....
In my opinion it should not clunk at all. If we can get dog clutch drives to shift smoothly when they are known to clunk if all is not right then they should be able to get this smoother.

captkevin · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:30 am

At a minimum they need to repair the tach so it reads properly.

tablerock230 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 10, 2016 6:23 pm **Posts:** 6

I ended up down loading an app that uses sound to measure rpm. Not sure how accurate it is. Cold start measured 680 rpm and tach on boat read 1100. Shut motor off and boat tach stayed at 1000. Never came down to rest on the pin. I tapped the gauge several times and each time it came down a little until it finally rested on the pin. May end up being the gauge after all. Will plan on getting replaced at end of season service.

www.iFourWinns.com

idle rpm and shifting

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