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Hi All, I have owned my 1998 H180 RS since 2003. I have had no problems with it and only started getting costly repairs this season. The oil pressure alarm started going off on very hot days only at idle in gear after running for a while. I have had the boat serviced at the dealer since I purchased it and only did the normal winterization and impeller services. Since the Volvo/Penta dealer is very close to the house I decided to take i there for faster service. Well I told them to go through the engine and outdrive and let me know what they thought. They changed the oil and filter and cut the filter to check for metal, all good. Changed all the belts, which were orig. and went throughthe carbs and changed out the prop. The prop was a suprise, however they stated it was the completely wrong prop and I would be amazed at the difference in performance, they were right. They said this winter the lower unit should come off, its never been off, to do a long list of things, but it could wait until winter. Well, after getting it back it runs like it never has before, Awsome! Question is after warm up the idle is between 900 and 1100 RPM!. This causes a very hard shift, "bang" into gear. Is the idle easliy adjusted? Also, any recomendations as to additional PM to do to the engine and drive as she is getting up there is years and have no plans to sell!? has about 320 hours and purchased in 2003 with 70 hours. Thanks in advance... also. spends all the time not running on a trailer in storage which is why the dealer said taking the out drive off was not needed... sounds like it is time?!


Jim
1998 Four winns H180 RS 5.0 Volvo/Penta, Carb.

Adjusting the idle is pretty easy, has it always idled that high or only after the shop did their work? Because if it only started after the work done then I'd ask them to do it...if they went through the carb...then they should have set the idle....
The way its adjusted is ideally on the water with the boat in gear....you should use an engine analyzer (dash tachs are typically not that accurate but could be used in a pinch)...the engine analyzer's positive (red) cable gets clipped to the - post on the ignition coil and the black (neg) cable gets grounded on the engine...then start the engine...let it warm up fully...and check the idle...you can adust it by turning a screw (could be a torx bolt if it's a GM engine) on the throttle lever...
The specs for my 88 OMC call for an idle between 500-600 in gear in the water (the resistance of water on the prop makes a difference)...if you set it on land it might be off a bit but probably close enough....I usually set mine at 600 on land with the boat in gear (prop OFF though) and when I put it in the water it's pretty close...


If the drive has not been off in 12 years it for sure should be done this fall...I remove mine every year because I feel that you need to check the bellows for water (causes expensive damage) and inspect the ujoints and gimble bearing...in addition the drive shaft splines have to be lubed too....also if it's never removed the splines on the driveshaft can rust into the coupler on the engine and then it is very difficult to remove...mine basically comes right off...I take it off in the fall and if I find problems I can't fix myself (like a leaky seal on the drive) then I take the drive to the mechanic and he does it over the winter...then I-install it in the spring...

What I do for maintenance--
yearly winteriztion...change oil and oil filter...change drive oil...check for water in gear oil...remove drive...check bellows ujionts and gimble...lube gimble ujoints and driveshaft splines...change fuel filter...

In Spring:
reinstall drive...install new impeller in drive...
tune up ...new cap n rotor...spark plugs if fouled by fogging oil in winterization...check dwell (points ignition only) timing and idle..lube shift linkage and check shift system for proper operation...grease prop shaft splines and re-install prop

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
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2008 Walker Bay 8

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