www.iFourWinns.com

I finally solved all of my water problems this weekend and I thought I would let you all know what I did to solve them. First of all my shore water check valve was installed backwards from the factory. Secondly an ureleated problem occured which really confused me. The fresh water strainer that is in front of the pump was completely filled and blocked by plastic shavings that were apparently in the fresh water tank. I cleaned the strainer and had to run the pump with the hoses off of it so that it would flush out plastic shavings that had entered the pump. Glad to say everything is working smoothly now but Fourwinns could have used a bit more quality control in those two areas.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

Anyone know if there is an arrow showing the correct direction of flow on this check valve. I tried my shore water connection for the first time the other day and didn't appear to have pressure. May have the same factory install problem as Flyer51 did. Had a quick look at it, does not appear to be a shut off valve, but will be looking at it a little closer tomorrow.

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2010 278 Vista
5.7 GXi DP

Past:
1999 225 Sundowner
5.7 GSi SX

Wow that was an old post from my first weekends on my boat!

Yes there is an arrow showing the direction of flow on the valve but it's not real easy to see. Probably easier to remove the valve and blow through it. You will only be able to blow in the direction of the flow.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

Okay, so I decided to tackle my problem of no pressure when connected to city water. Through the process of elimination, disconnecting fittings down the line, I discovered the city water and the transom cold water lines had been connected incorrectly, reversed if you will, at the factory, I am assuming!!

In the photo, the steel braided line that goes into the top of the "T" comes from the city water connection. The blue line that comes of the left side of the "T" goes to the cold water side of the transom shower. Both wrong. After studying the diagram in my Vista manual, I spotted the error. The diagram was actually correct and accurate!!! So the check valve is built into the "T". I reversed the hoses and problem solved.

But I still have no water at all on the hot side of the transom shower. After looking into it, it appears to be the valve at the shower itself. I have pressure up to that point. And the shower head puts out a pathetic pattern at best. The transom shower assemble seems to be crap IMO.

Anyone else have a similar opinion or experience? Has anyone replaced the OEM with after market?

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2010 278 Vista
5.7 GXi DP

Past:
1999 225 Sundowner
5.7 GSi SX

I'm guessing the valve itself may be defective. Do you have any pressure if you remove the shower head from the line? Is there more pressure on hot or cold? Also you do know the shower head itself shuts on an off by pushing the silver pin that slides from on side to the other? I saw my son struggle with the shower over the weekend until I pointed out the shut off. I had to order a part for that shower so if it turns out the valve is the problem I can give you a link to the manufacturer. The assembly is made by Heatercraft.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

Flyer51, I do have cold water pressure at the shower head and absolutley none on the hot side. I did figure out the silver pin shut off, thanks. I suspect the hot water valve assembly is faulty.

Is Heatercraft the original supplier/manufacturer for this part, or did you go with an after market piece? I consider Heatercraft products to be quality. I put one of their heaters in my last boat and it worked great. This shower assembly seems to be rather cheap and substandard.

Because the boat is under warranty, I will be contacting FW customer service and asking for them to send me a replacement. I also need a LED cockpit light that is not working. I could take it to the shop and have them do the warranty work, but that's more hassle than doing it myself. For this repair anyhow. I will be letting them know about the incorrect plumbing installation, and a couple of other issues I have corrected myself.

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2010 278 Vista
5.7 GXi DP

Past:
1999 225 Sundowner
5.7 GSi SX

It certainly sounds like you have narrowed this down to the valve assembly. Yes I think that Heathercraft is the manufacturer of the assembly. I only know that because I got a glimpse of a decal on my door as I was playing the "will it float?" game as it was going out of sight. It doesn't by the way. I was able to find to find the part at Go 2 Marine. I wonder if this isn't the part you need: http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=75136F

Cheap enough to give it a try. Let us know the outcome.

Just had another thought - can you switch the lines going into the valve and see if it is the valve assembly. If you know you have cold water and you switch the lines you would have hot water coming out of the cold valve. Just another way to troubleshoot the problem.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

Heatercraft is the manufacturer.

Sea Ray uses the same part...except on their door it says "Sea Ray"

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Does it cost more to have that on it?

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

Flyer 51,

I did disconnect the hot water line where it threads onto the transom hot water valve, and I have pressure there. So it is the valve that is faulty. Is the valve assembly sold as a complete unit, or can I pick up a valve just for the hot water side?



As a note; when I had a closer look at my transom shower valves yesterday. The outside of the door says "Aquatik", and there is a hot water warning decal on the inside that has "Heatercraft" written on it. When I was pulling the valve assembly out the first time, the door popped off and almost went in the drink. It is good to know that the door will not float, at your expense, sorry.

Rod

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2010 278 Vista
5.7 GXi DP

Past:
1999 225 Sundowner
5.7 GSi SX

Yes that's it. Did you see the link to Go2marine that I posted earlier? That link is to the part that I think you need. My new door came with the Aquatik and warning decal. Go 2 marine has all of the parts you might need.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

As an update; I emailed FW customer service and listed the deficiencies with my boat, both the ones I fixed myself, and the ones I will fix myself if they send me the parts.

Here is their response;
"Thank you for sending this information to us. I apologize for the minor issues and will pass this on to our Quality department.

I will place a order for the parts that you need and send them to you."

Works for me!




Flyer51, thanks, I did see your link but there was not a picture of the part. Suspect it is what I need, but not sure. We'll see if FW sends me just the valve cartridge or a whole assembly. Will let you know.

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2010 278 Vista
5.7 GXi DP

Past:
1999 225 Sundowner
5.7 GSi SX

I received a package at my door from FW yesterday. FW customer service sent me a "complete" transom shower assembly; shower head, hose & fittings, hot/cold shut offs with box and door, instructions, as well as 2 LED cockpit lights to replace the one that wasn't working.

I originally emailed them July 21st, they responded July 22nd, and I received the replacement parts July 29th. Good reaction time!

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2010 278 Vista
5.7 GXi DP

Past:
1999 225 Sundowner
5.7 GSi SX

Great to hear they took care of you

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225