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Hi,
Just bought a 1998 FW horizon 240 w/5.7 GSi and I'm trying to learn my way around the boat. I'm doing my first oil change and I can't get my hand down into the motor bay to get to the oil filter. Is there a trick to getting at the oil filter? I assume that I'll need to pull out the rear bench seats. Any tips?

Thanks
Matt

If it's like my 88 200 you will need to slide the rear bench seat foward and lie down next to the engine to get in there and change it. I use a oil filter wrench that mounts on a 3/8ths drive ratchet. It's tight but I can get in there. Good thing I only have to do it once a year!

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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

Matt,

I think your 98 Horizon will be similar to our 97 Sundowner. If so, there will be a fiberglass motor box that the rear bench seat cushions sit on. Once the cushions are removed, the box can be removed by removing a few screws that secure it to the floor and the rear bulkhead area. Once the motor box is removed, the oil filter is much more accessible.

Use a cut open anti-freeze bottle (engine anti-freeze, not a round RV anti-freeze bottle) to drop the oil filter into and to catch the oil.

Here's a photo with the box removed:

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

The engine compartment of my '99 Sundowner did not look like that in the photo: it had a rear seat which converted into a sunpad . If your boat has the same type of rear seat, the plastic vertical cover either side of the engine had cutouts, with storage bags clipped on. The port side cutout is OK for doing the plugs, but unfortunately does not allow the filter to be easily reached with the seats in position. I found the easiest was was to remove the seats and the engine side covers completely. Then, lying on my back, to reach the filter. The second year I had to do the same, but I was prepared; I had a remote filter kit ready to fit, which moves the filter the port riser. After that year, I didn't need to remove the seats. I recommend this ( later models have the remote filter as standard).

Graham

Graham did you use the OE Volvo remote kit? I am considering doing this but am concerned about the possibility of leaks, I know Volvo did have a recall a few years back on some of them.

_________________
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

Yes, i did use the VP kit (in 2002). The issue I believe they had around 2003 to 2004 was something to do with the barbs on the hose ends not being formed enough to hold the hoses on, they did a recall and changed design or supplier for new builds ( my 2004 boat was done before I bought it as a leftover in 2005). I've not heard of anyone having problems since.

Graham

Thanks for the info Graham, I'll consider doing this for next year, I also was going to get one of the cap style oil filter wrenches that would make it a little easier. I usually use Sierra marine oil filters so I have to find one of the caps that fits those.

_________________
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