www.iFourWinns.com

I'm almost halfway to my 20 hour service. From your experience, what will they be doing/checking during this service? Thanks in advance.

David

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

I'm halfway to my service as well. I have no intentions of paying a dealer to "check" out my boat... I'm more than comfortable going around and checking all of these things. Notice the only real work is the oil change in the engine and drive.

Here's a generic list of things to check out:

Stern Drive First Service *Should be done between 10 and 20 hours
-Check battery and connections.
-Check hoses, belts, and clamps.
-Check all electrical connections for corrosion and tightness.
-Check ignition system.
-Run motor to check for any leaks and running condition.
-Check gauges for proper operation.
-Check operation of throttle control box.
-Check engine with computer/tech for proper readings and codes. Adjust if needed.
-Torgue intake and exhaust manifolds. Clean spark arrester.
-Change engine oil and filter(s).
-Change fuel filter(s).
-Top off power steering fluid, if needed.
-Top off power trim fluid, if needed.
-Grease all zerk fittings, steering and control cables.
-Change stern drive gear oil.
-Remove stern drive and check U-joints, gimble bearings and drive alignment.
-Remove prop, grease shaft, and re-torque prop.
-Record all serial numbers.
-Record engine hours.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Typically what they'll do is change your oil & filter and drive fluid, and otherwise take your money. However - for warranty purposes I recommend you allow them to do that.

Then, once you get it back, go down Cougar's list and do anything the dealer didn't. Pay special attention to tightening screws and clamps.

You've got permanently lubed u-joints, so pulling the drive just for that is unnecessary. It's worth pulling it though just to check the bellows and especially the engine alignment. Those are jobs usually best left to the dealer. Do grease the gimbal bearing also.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I think it makes sense to check all that stuff since something could have been missed at the factory and/or in dealer prep. I would esp want to remove the drive to make sure the bellows does not leak. And check all cooling system hose clamps and fuel hoses while you're at it. IF you have a Volvo DP make sure those props are greased, they can be a bear to get off if that is forgotten. OMC triple guard grease is great for the prop shaft splines.

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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

I paid the 300~400 for the 20 hr service just to have it looked over and to build a relationship with the dealer. Since then i've done it all myself.

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To Heck with you all!!!

I'm only half way to my 2 hr service! Maybe I'll get the boat in the water this weekend.... if it doesn't snow again!

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

FW has very strong language in the owners manual about getting the engine alignment done. In the Owners Responsibilites section they state it is the owner's responsibility to ensure that the dealer checks the engine alignment during the 20 hour check up. Failure to do so could result in drive train damage not covered under warranty.

In the Volvo manual, under engine alignment, it says because of the special tools required, a Volvo Penta dealer must do the engine alignment. They also warn about premature failure of the engine coupler.

This Catch 22 situation, and the extended volvo warranty the dealer threw in was enough incentive for me bring in mine for the 20 hour last season.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

This is all really great info. Thank you very much all. I will be taking it to the dealer for the 20 hour service for a couple of reasons. This is my first boat and I am really not all that familiar with all of these things. When it comes back I will double check using cougars list. Second, should I have any troubles down the road I don't want their to be any reason for them to point the finger back at me. I would have never known to ask about the engine alignment and I certianly will after this. You guys are great, thanks again for all the suggestions.

David

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

I would certainly have the dealer do this service. Its a no brainer. Its cheap insurance in the long run since its very easy for the manufacturer to say

".....well you didnt do the 20 hr service and the problem would have been caught then but since you didnt this $2419.00 repair isnt our fault and we will not warranty it....." or something to that affect if you have a problem.

Like I said its cheap insurance. Besides who here has the tools to do a drive alignment adjustment? Vibration will kill your drivetrain faster than most anything.

Just my .02....

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Guns kill people like spoons make people fat.
2007 Horizon 190 Gxi
97 Pathfinder SE 4x4
73 International Scout II

For the Merc people out there, my manuals for both the engine and the drive provide what should be done at 20 hours. Alignment check is not one of the items. Interesting difference...

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

What's a gimbal bearing, what's it do and where's it located?

Thank you,

David

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

Ditto....what the heck is a gimbal bearing, where is it, and what does it do???

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2006, 220 Horizon
Kent, WA.
"Semper Fidelis"

Gimbel bearing is in the outdrive behind the main shroud. Its the bearing that holds the shaft before the u-joint.

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Gimbal and bellows or as I like to call it "the junk in your trunk". The bellows are the most neglected part of a boat, yet if bad will cost you the most. (next to impeller).

http://bpi.ebasicpower.com/pc/MAL9-7293 ... +and+Newer

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TXJole's explanation of the gimbal bearing is right on, but for the newer guys here's a bit more detailed explanation. Between the engine and your drive, there obviously is a drive shaft. The shaft runs through the boat's transom and into the drive (actually it's more permanently connected to the drive, and is inserted through the gimbal bearing and into the engine coupler when installing the drive). The gimbal bearing is a bearing surrounding and supporting the drive shaft. It's located in the transom or in the drive's transom shield. On Volvo drives, look on the starboard side of your transom shield (outside of the boat, up against the transom) and you'll see a recessed grease zirk. That zirk feeds grease through a tube directly to the gimbal bearing. You should give it a few pumps of grease once or twice a year, preferably with the engine running on muffs. If you feel resistance when pumping the grease, stop - don't force it.

This is an example of something your dealer should do during annual service without you having to worry about it, but there's a good chance they don't. As you can tell from the location of this bearing, replacing it isn't a trivial job labor-wise (labour Graham).

The purpose of aligning the engine is to ensure that the drive shaft has a perfectly straight shot from the drive, through the gimbal bearing, and into the engine coupler, without binding anywhere or placing any unnecessary stress on the gimbal bearing or other components. It's the kind of thing that can be off a bit from the factory and deserves to be checked at 20 hours. Generally they seem to be OK but I've heard at least one story of it being WAY off. Once done, it shouldn't really need to be checked again for a couple of years, but it's a good idea to have them check it anytime they're going to have the drive off for any reason.

Evidence of a worn-out gimbal bearing is a growling sound coming from that area, at first usually only during a turn to one side or the other or both, and gradually becoming constant anytime the engine is running (the drive shaft turns at all times when the engine is running, unlike a car). My neighbor's (neighbour Graham) '96 Horizon is on it's 3rd gimbal bearing. The original had to be replaced because the dealer screwed up on some maintenance which led to it's early demise (they admitted it and replaced it at their cost). The 2nd one had to be replaced because he never knew it needed to be greased .

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic