Vista 298 Bad vibrations

Funtastik · **Joined:** Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:32 pm **Posts:** 54

Hey again,

I have a problem with vibrations at low speeds.

It seems that the left engine vibrates at low speeds and when powering up, I have no idea what it could be..
Could it be the "u" joints inside the shaft?

I also noticed that the left engine consumes almost twice what the other one does in gas, Is that normal?....probably not

and to make things worst, the level indicator (engine up/down) gauge just recently stopped working on the left side.

I also noticed that the engines don't cancel themselves out to "zero" at the same RPM, the left one always works harder to compensate to zero

I know that's a lot of questions for you guys, but I am a newbie to Fouwinns and boating for that fact, and I am hoping someone here can help me or at least point me in the right direction

Thanks

Collin - Funtastik
2000, 298 Vista

ric · **Posted:** Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:32 pm

Yeah you might want a mechanic to check that out. Could be something as simple as needing a tune up.

Thalasso · **Joined:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 8:45 pm **Posts:** 333

Funtastik wrote:

Hey again,

I have a problem with vibrations at low speeds.

It seems that the left engine vibrates at low speeds and when powering up, I have no idea what it could be..
Could it be the "u" joints inside the shaft?

I also noticed that the left engine consumes almost twice what the other one does in gas, Is that normal?....probably not

and to make things worst, the level indicator (engine up/down) gauge just recently stopped working on the left side.

I also noticed that the engines don't cancel themselves out to "zero" at the same RPM, the left one always works harder to compensate to zero

I know that's a lot of questions for you guys, but I am a newbie to Fouwinns and boating for that fact, and I am hoping someone here can help me or at least point me in the right direction

Thanks

Collin - Funtastik
2000, 298 Vista

Twin Engines.
Move the props to the other engine and see if the vibration follows.

level indicator (engine up/down) gauge?

I presume you mean the trim gauge. Welcome to the world of Volvo Penta trim gauges. Learn to use them by ear. About $200.00 item.

engines don't cancel themselves out to "zero" at the same RPM, ??????

engine consumes almost twice what the other one does in gas,
Look in the engine compartment and there will be a manifold ( shut off valves) The center one should be closed. It just seems one engine is using more then the other
What is happening is your drawing more from one tank then the other.

alex8q4 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 22, 2014 6:34 pm

Is the vibration at low speed or low idle?

Family knot · **Posted:** Wed Oct 22, 2014 6:55 pm

Hello

I have a 2000 298 FW as well. I just finished my first season with this boat. I've had several of the same problems you mentioned and here are a few of the observations of my mechanic and friends.

RPM sync gauge is just bad. It doesn't work. It is pretty common for these to not be accurate. The needle jumps all over the place and sometimes works and most of the time is significantly off. Even when I could tell my engines were running equal RPM's. While I was training my ear to hear the engines working equally as hard, I would pay close attention to my wake to make sure it was symmetrical. The other possibility here is one throttle cable might be looser than the other. When my drives are synced and working evenly, I have the starboard throttle a good 1" forward of the port side throttle when I'm on plane. And the faster I go, the more forward it has to be to the other. My mechanic said if he was going to replace one, he recommended placing both. It doesn't bother me enough to do that.

My outdrive trim gauges also didn't work when I bought the boat. This was important to me. There are many shallow spots on Lake Champlain and we like to pull in close to beaches all the time because I have two young daughters. I had the trim sender replaced on both drives and then I had to replace one of the gauges too because that was bad. (There is a good video on YouTube of how to replace trim senders. It will give you an idea of what the mechanic must do.) Unfortunately, the gauge isn't exact match because you can't buy the old gauges, but it only bothers the captain. But now they both work and I know the exact out drive position. I got a lot of work done in the spring but $200 per drive sounds about right.

I also had a really uneven amount of fuel usage from side to side. My port side would burn a 1/3 to 1/2 more fuel than starboard. Again, I know I'm running the engines equally based upon sound/rev of the engine and symmetry of the wake. I'm going with the theory of one engine siphoning more fuel than the other. I never took the time to check the fuel valve to see which setting it was in but I am going to in the future.

I don't have problems with vibration. I know the previous owner did have vibrations with turning and it was a bad gamble bearing/U joint and he replaced it.

I also had non functioning trim tabs. I problem solved it to bad ground wire. FW is notorious for bad ground wires. We replaced the ground wire and it worked. For awhile. Then stopped again. I have more work to do.

The previous owner replaced all lights to LED and I'm not sure what he bought.

I really enjoyed my boat and have no regrets!

Funtastik · **Joined:** Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:32 pm **Posts:** 54

Thanks very much to all of you who replied to my questions.
This site is really helpful.

I will do a thorough mechanical check in the spring.

B[/b]reak Out Another Thousand

Merci a tout le monde
Thanks again to all

Collin - Funtastik, Vista 298

jfair · **Posted:** Sat Oct 25, 2014 1:45 am

Break out another thousand?

This saying has been amended due to inflation.

Boatt, bring out another ten thousand.

LouC · **Posted:** Sat Oct 25, 2014 10:04 am

Vibrations, will it vibrate only in fwd gear under power, or will it vib if you rev the engine in neutral at the same engine rpm that you feel it when in gear? If its the former, prop shaft run out/bent prop blades (any groundings?) or bad ujoints/gimble bearing. If the latter, more of an engine problem. Take a good look at the harmonic balancer (the crankshaft pulley is bolted to it) if the rubber between the 2 halves is starting to come apart it could be time to replace it. Last, look a the engine mount stringers, engine mounts etc. Hope you don't have rot in the engine mount stringers.

Funtastik · **Joined:** Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:32 pm **Posts:** 54

Thanks LouC,

The vibrations are only from one engine while under acceleration to get up to plane, I have checked the props, they are in tip top shape. I think it would most likely be the u-joints.

Although the seem fine, I really hope its not stringer rot.
I hate that word, I had the transom replaced on my previous boat (Bayliner),
that cost a pretty penny. Had it fixed then sold it for what it cost to fix it, I lost big time on that deal.

Anyways..... Thanks for all the advice and suggestions.

My next project is on the way, I've taken out the sofa from the 298 to have it upholstered.
The couch was in good shape, I just didn't like the 25th anniversary blue.
So I had it re-upholstered in off white.
I will post when done

Thanks again

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Oct 27, 2014 11:35 am

The other thing is related to what I said about stringer rot and that's engine alignment. When the drive's off check alignment and look inside to see if the coupler splines are wearing.

JohnScott · **Posted:** Fri Oct 31, 2014 12:20 pm

Have you checked to see if that particular drive is going all the way down? Just another thought. :idea:

Funtastik · **Joined:** Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:32 pm **Posts:** 54

You know JohnC, that's a very good point.
Since the vibrations and the defective gauge (always indicates up) are coming from the same engine/ side, it is possible.
I hold down the tilt button until the drive makes that distinct squeak sound, that's when I know it's all the way down, at least I think so.

alex8q4 · **Posted:** Sat Nov 01, 2014 7:40 am

Perhaps you or others could answer this, is it likely for a drive line issue to show up only at low speed or under heavy load? I would assume you would feel it at high rpm's as well.

Your situation sounds similar to a symptom caused by a fuel, fuel delivery, or ignition issue. My comment is based on the assumption that the issue only shows up under heavy load.

As another poster said, it might me time for a good tune up.

Funtastik · **Joined:** Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:32 pm **Posts:** 54

For sure Alex,
That is top on my priority list when the snow melts,
as well, I will change the impeller and check all u-joints.

Thanks

www.iFourWinns.com

Vista 298 Bad vibrations

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