www.iFourWinns.com

Ok to start of with I have a 97 Four Winns 205 Sundowner w/ the 5.7 FI VP DUO Prop. THe boat have 610 hours on it. I bought it w/ 500 last year from a dealer in KY. I'm not sure as to what has/hasn't been done as far as maintance. Yesterday I went out on the river. When I started it on the trailer it start making a weird growl (boat in neutral). Didn't think to much of it so I back it off the trailer. It went into/out of gear perfectly. She gets up on plane no problem. Upon going threw a no wake zone I hear/feel the growl/vibrations. It seems that the noise changes as I turn the wheel up/down trim. Its not a power steering pump noise as I know what that is its more like a low growl with vibrations following. I opened the engine cover and the motor still seems to be smooth as silk. To me it has to be something in the outdrive as I can feel the vibrations throught the whole boat/haul even in neutral. After I took the boat out of the water I looked at the props and spun them. Both spin easily and are in perfect condition. Anyone have any ideas?

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

U-joints. You should also have the gimbal bearing checked and the impeller replaced if you don't know when it was done last.

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

I replaced the thermostat/impeller last year so I should be good on that. Any idea on cost to replace U-Joints/gimbal bearing? THANKS

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

I haven't had to have it done, but someone will jump in here.

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

Just had 2 completely different estimates to replace gimble bearing.
1. 450
2. 800/1000 +/-

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

The gimbal may or may not be bad. But the u-joints almost certainly are.

_________________


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

Sounds expensive, cannot wait to see what the dealer is going to say.

_________________
1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

Boating is not cheap!! Yes, the u-joints.

I'll chime in on the U-joints and/or bearing, but likely u-joints.

As a note on this, running the engine with the drive trimmed up too far will accelerate the u-joint wear. This goes for idling too, as the shaft (and the u-joints) is turning whenever the engine is turning ... even when you are in neutral.

On one of my first boats (a very looooong time ago .... as I'm an old guy), I though it was very cool to do "wheelies", by trimming the drive WAY up and hammering the throttle. Bye Bye U-joints!

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

How far is to far? The most my trim will go up without hitting the trailer button is half way (on the trim gauge) is that too much. Sometimes I'll put the trim 1/2 up and it makes a bigger wave for the wakeboarders. You think this isn't a good idea? Is having it all the way down a bad idea as well?

_________________
1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

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

I have this T-Shirt:

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

How much is too much?

Well, to be safe, I would say not to run at more than 1/4 up. If you need to go a bit further for short periods, due to shallow water or trailer loading, fine. Really, you sould only run for extended periods at no more than a few degrees up .... such as you would have when you are fully trimmed out for maximum speed in calm water.

If you need a big wake, add an inflatable water bladder to the rear of the cockpit. There are some that can be installed in the rear of the engine compartment as well.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

I have this one:



Sorry for the U-joint hijack.

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

We should just let old dogs die .......




sorry....

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner