Do current SX drives have a lube monitor, or is it a dipstick?

[harringtondav]

I'm looking at the VP 240 G5 SX for my next boat. GM 4.3 V6, direct injection, partially closed cooling, cone clutches get my vote.

But I can't find any info about a drive lube monitor system. Does it have one, or is it the 'ol dipstick?

 

[mt2006]

It is still the dipstick on top of the drive.

By the way....you will love that engine and drive combo. The G5 makes great mid range power but you will have to get used to cruising at higher revs.

 

[harringtondav]

It is still the dipstick on top of the drive.

By the way....you will love that engine and drive combo. The G5 makes great mid range power but you will have to get used to cruising at higher revs.

I'm changing from a Merc 4.3 LX 180 hp Alpha Gen II. I like the water pump and cone clutch on the SX, but I'm fully tooled for the Alpha. If Merc's 4.5 was available with closed/fresh water cooling I would have gone with a 4.5/Alpha 200 hp. But it's not. The Alpha Gen II really is bullet proof with proper use/maintenance and simple to tear down and reseal when needed.

The 240 G5 is only $1880 more than the Merc 200 hp, and the VP is non-CAT. That's huge in my mind.

....I can live with a dipstick. I just seems like a dinosaur tagged on an otherwise nice technology package.

I always carry a spare prop with a different pitch. With 240 hp on a 19'9", 3100# dry boat, I believe I can tune the pitch for overall performance.

 

[mt2006]

I think the gen 5 Volvo and SX Drive is a nicer system the Merc. I previously had a 5.0 TKS and alpha one gen 2 in a similar size boat and the 4.3 Volvo in our current boat blows it out of the water. The Volvo revs to about 5800 rpm so if you prop it right your cruise rpms will be higher and parts are more expensive.....that’s the only downside I have seen thus far. I test drove a boat with the 4.5 and it didn’t have the same mid range pull.

 

[Jeepster04]

Blows my mind that volvo marine engines now have VVT and direct injection.... Gone are the simple days.

I do like the closed cooling, not sure why that wasnt a thing from the beginning.

 

[harringtondav]

Blows my mind that volvo marine engines now have VVT and direct injection.... Gone are the simple days.

I do like the closed cooling, not sure why that wasnt a thing from the beginning.

Yes, I'll miss my '96 4.3. Simple. 4BBL carb. Thunderbolt ignition module is the only potential tech trouble.
But there is no getting away from complexity on a new boat. Merc's. 4.5 is full electronic control. You need a Rinda tool to diagnose, or an expensive trip to the dealer's shop.

The new VP 4.3 looks superior to me. First, it's a GM. Merc's past attempts at building their own I/O engines haven't turned out very well. Plus the engine I will get doesn't have cat converters. ...eliminates another future headache.

I'll buy the VP Rinda tool for the VP. With a VP manual changing, parts doesn't worry me. The Rinda and any special VP tools will pay off vs. an out of warranty dealer shop visit. I prefer DIY anyway. I'm not trying to beat the clock when I do a repair.