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Folks,

I'm a new 248 owner and as with my cars, I intend to maintain the boat myself. I have a service manual on order and I am also attempting to make contact with the boat shop that performed the maintenance on the boat before I owned it to see what all they have done in the past.

My question is this ... what items need maintenance? This is my first I/O. From what I have been able to find these are the items that need my attention:

1) Oil and filter change (once per season)

2) Outdrive gear oil change (once per season)

2.5) Is there a tranny and therefore tranny fluid that needs changing, or is the tranny integrated with the outdrive?

3) Grease zerts on outdrive (once per season) Any zerts on the engine I should know about?

4) Impeller (once every two years?)

5) Clean A/C filter(s) (as needed)

6) Add power trim/steering fluid (as needed)

7) I see anti-freeze mentioned on the Volvo website ... but it is my understanding that there isn't any anti-freeze? The engine cools from the water intake?

Anything I am missing? Any advice? My boat specs are as follows:

Engine: Volvo Penta 5.0 GXi-C (GM 205 cid)
Outdrive: DP-SM 1.95 duoprop out drive.

Thanks,
Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Some of the maintenance will depend on hours used so for clarity my responses assume 50-70 hours per season. If you put a lot of hours, need to do more often.


1) Oil and filter change (once per season) ok

2) Outdrive gear oil change (once per season) ok

2.5) Is there a tranny and therefore tranny fluid that needs changing, or is the tranny integrated with the outdrive?

3) Grease zerts on outdrive (once per season) Any zerts on the engine I should know about? I don't think so, but can't remember

4) Impeller (once every two years?) depends on salt vs freshwater. I am in fresh and change every 2 years

5) Clean A/C filter(s) (as needed) ok

6) Add power trim/steering fluid (as needed) I change mine every 2 years in case water/moisture gets in.

7) I see anti-freeze mentioned on the Volvo website ... but it is my understanding that there isn't any anti-freeze? The engine cools from the water intake? If you have a freshwater boat, this is correct

Anything I am missing? Any advice? My boat specs are as follows:

Engine: Volvo Penta 5.0 GXi-C (GM 205 cid)
Outdrive: DP-SM 1.95 duoprop out drive

If you have a fuel/water seperator, need to change it.
Would lube the prop shaft every year
spark plugs every 2-3 years. They still work, but may end up rusting the block, unless you use antiseize compound.
would flush water system
check your anodes

Hope that helps.

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2000 248 Vista

By fuel/water seperator, I assume your are referring to the fuel filter.

Anodes? Where are the anodes?

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Fuel Filter/Water Seperator

Not exactly sure of your engine config or options/add ons, but yes, it could look like a small oil filter and could just be a fuel filter not a water seperator.

Again, not 100% sure of your anode location, but believe you have one just above the prop on the outdrive as well as one on outdrive housing directly connected to the boat, but not 100% on that model/config. It is important to have the right one depending on salt vs freshwater use, they are not interchangable.

I'm sure someone else will know for certain.

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2000 248 Vista

I guess the GXi-C means it's something like a 2002 model. So, re the anodes, you will either have one or two on the transom shield, depending on the exact transom shield type (if your lucky, you will not have the SX-MHP transom shield as the anodes are more expensive!). There is one on the outdrive itself at the forward end, positioned just under the tilt assembly. For fresh water boating magnesium is recommended, for salt zinc. In between like brackish water or used in both fresh and salt, aluminium ones are available.

You can download the owners /operators manual from the Volvo Penta web site, that covers routine maintenance.

You will need to acquire ( or make) the special tool to remove the forward prop, which has to be removed to access the oil drain plug. Be sure to use plenty of waterproof grease on the spline when you replace the props, or they may never come off in one piece again !

Graham

Don't forget to change your bellows every 2 years (recommended)! Wasn't too bad, make sure you have a good set of snap ring pliers.

On the SX/ DPS of that year, you'd only need snap ring pliers (called circlip pliers in the UK !) or long nosed pliers if you are removing/ replacing the exhaust bellows, the corrugared type that's attached at both ends. They usually last a long time and it doesn't even really matter if they crack. The drive shaft bellows though are critical.

I recommend you get an Volvo Penta official workshop manual. ( also often available on disc on Ebay !)

Graham

Thanks to all for the suggestions. After talking with the shop that maintained the boat for the previous owner, I think I am good for this year on everything except the fuel filter. I purchased one of those today and will install it this weekend along with a spare impeller which I will install next Spring. The one in the boat currently was put in August 2008.

Regarding the the bellows, I am very concerned as they have never been replaced (2003 model). However, there are no leaks at this point. So, I think I will wait until the end of the season and have them replaced when I get the 100 hour winterizing service done.

I will also add bottom paint at the end of this season.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

As to changing the bellows it's a personal call; not meaning to be unduly negative, but unfortunately on a VP, no leaks of water into the boat do not necessarily mean the bellows are not leaking; they use O rings on the outdrive input shaft to stop the boat sinking in the event of such a leak. I change my bellows every 2 years, I must admit the new ones don't ever seem any different to the old ones in terms of flexibility.

Graham

Tonight I went to put in the new fuel filter. I noticed when I lifted the hatch that, much to my surprise, there is water in the bilge. I little ... about 1/2" lower than the bilge pump float. Is this "normal"? I have heard some say that a bit of water is to be expected.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Water in bilge normal???? As long as you know where its coming from.

I have always owned trailer boats, but having boat in water for a week vacation, not one drop in bilge. So any in bilge I need to know where it came from. Our current boat, the transom shower if not turned of completely, will leak a little and drain into the bilge.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Well that's the problem ... I don't know. I'm still figuring out how everything works. The boat has been in a wet slip for 2.5 weeks now. In that time, I have run it up and down the lake once (about a 15 - 20 minute cruise). I have also washed the exterior of the boat (bow, swim platform, sides ... not the seating area). Have not used the toilet, shower(s) or water system.

I suppose that *some* water could have fallen into the bilge through the anchor hatch from washing the bow, although I wouldn't imagine that it was that much.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Check your circulation pump and the impeller housing.. both were leaking on mine. I replaced the circ pump b4 I put the 248 in the water and held off on the impeller housing. There is a seal in the housing that water can slowly leak past. It might be hard to catch. Look for evidence.

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

Good idea. I think what I'll do is start the process of elimination. Tonight I'll go down and sponge out the water (at least some of it) and let the boat sit until the weekend. If the water level hasn't changed by Saturday, that (for the most part) rules out any transom sealing issues.

I'll run it this weekend and check the level afterwards. If no rise ... then that tells me that rain/washing/whatever caused the accumulation. If there is a rise, then that opens up a larger list of possibilities including the impeller housing, bellows, etc.

After talking with the shop that did the maintenance on it prior to my buying it, they said that they serviced the outdrive in August 2008 and at that time, the bellows were fine.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP