Just in case marine mechanic don't show up

[salmonee]

Hi everyone. I'm traveling to see a boat this weekend and scheduled an appt for a marine mechanic to inspect the motor/outdrive. They're suppose to get back to me because the mechanic don't normally work Saturdays. I'll know later today for sure, I may need to call another shop. Anyhow, worst case if I can't find a mechanic to inspect the motor/outdrive. Can you provide some detail steps on how to check the MAJOR issues with motor/outdrive? I read that your suppose to check the outdrive oil to see if there are any water in there but I don't know how to do this? I went over the merc manual. I already read the DIY compression check thread.

This is for a '05 Larson 208 LXI, 55hrs, 5.0gxi volvo penta outdrive. Thanks for your help. I just don't want to travel all that way, have a mechanic get sick on me and turn around because I have no one to inspect the motor/outdrive...

 

[ziggy]

Re: Just in case marine mechanic don't show up

prior to buying my boat, i went online and goggled buying a used boat. i looked at many lists and found one that was the most comprehensive i could find. it was a 4 page checklist. then i went though the list when i got to the boat, item by item. much to the dismay of the boat owner. after i purchased the boat, the dealer (was a consignment sale) i got the boat from commented that i'd gone over that boat more than he'd ever seen anyone go over a used boat prior to it's sale. i took that as a compliment.
i've also been reading iboats for several years too. that helped as i've saved many good comments to my drive for future reference.

yep, doing a compression test is imperative, also inspecting for metal shaveings in the gear oil. i don't know vp, but if it was a mercruiser i'd just take the drain plug out of the drive and feel the lub as it comes out, especially the first part as the metal shavings will sink to the bottom. i'd aslo pressure test a mercruiser drive. a vp, i don't know, but would guess it'd be the same. also a sea trial is most important too. don't buy used if whoever won't let you test drive it.
good luck and hope it works out for ya...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Just in case marine mechanic don't show up

I read that your suppose to check the outdrive oil to see if there are any water in there but I don't know how to do this?

Ayuh,... I'm not going to type out a 4 page checklist like Ziggy used,...Especially 1 fingered,...
But,...
I gotta Ask,.....
Do you own a Toolbox,..?? Are there any Tools in it,..?? Like What,..??

 

[superpop]

Re: Just in case marine mechanic don't show up

This is not something you want to attempt yourself unless you are very mechanically inclined. And if I was the seller I would not let just any Joe off the street touch my boat with a wrench unless they were certified or clearly knew what they were doing. You can really screw things up if you do not know what you are doing and what to look for. If you do want to attempt this though I would start out with a sea trial, does not have to be an hour long vigil but running the boat at WOT for 2-3 minutes will shake out any major problems with the motor and or drive. While you are out on the river, feel the risers, they should be warm, not super hot. Listen to the motor for any knocking or mis-fires. The drive should be rather quite unless you run it in the full up position (Don't do this) or at full turns. Really though, I would find a tech that could put a scan tool on the motor and run a full diagnostics, I think you said it was FI. Also check the drive oil, smell it for a burning smell and look for any metal shavings. These are all things any good Volvo tech will do if you pay them right, don't nickel and dime this part of the purchase, and tip him well when he is done for coming out on a Sat. If it was in Seattle I would help you out with the inspection but Tri Cities is a long way away. Also if you do end up with the boat, stop by an RV shop or Les Schwab and have them check the bearings and tires for you. You do not want to lose a bearing or tire or have the brakes act up in the middle of the Cascade Mountains. And if anything can go wrong it will be at the top of Snoqualmie pass with 5 feet of snow on the ground. Have you towed anything this big over a pass before, if not let me know and I will be sure to not go up to the pass this weekend.