list of I/O life limited parts

[skysurfer2010]

This is my second season with my boat and I'm learning how to do the maintenance myself. I owned pwc for a very long time and had no issues working on them or maintaining them. The more I learn about my boat, the more I wish I bought a jet boat since it seems like there is a LOT less life limited parts on them!

What parts are life limited and how long is the typical life span? I have a Volvo 3.0GS LK with an SX outdrive. It's purely fresh water used. I just learned today that bellows are a time sensitive part.


Here is what I know so far:

-Impeller- 2 to 3 years depending on who you talk to and water conditions
-Bellows- 5 to 6 years (do different bellows have different time spans? Or all the same?)
-Crankcase and outdrive oil- yearly
-Fuel Filter- yearly
-Oil filter- yearly
-Spark Plugs- yearly/ as needed
- Anodes- as needed
- Fuel/ Water separater filter- yearly

Anything else?

 

[bomar76]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

My list:
1. Everything. Boats seem to have not been designed to be used anywhere near water or ever get wet.

 

[freeboats]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

My list:
1. Everything. Boats seem to have not been designed to be used anywhere near water or ever get wet.

LOL so funny and so true!!

 

[Don S]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

That's a good start, but you really need to add pulling drive, checking the alignment, and LUBE COUPLER SPLINES, yearly. Unless you like pulling the engine to replace the coupler.

Also, download the owners manual HERE and follow the other recommendations.

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

Thanks Don. I'm more of less looking for a list of actual parts that need to be replaced instead of preventative maintenance. Only reason I ask is because today I learned bellows should be replaced. I don't want any more surprises!

 

[Alumarine]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

My list:
1. Everything. Boats seem to have not been designed to be used anywhere near water or ever get wet.

Sort of like how snowmobiles very often don't work well in the snow.

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

I tell ya... I owned pwc for a very very long time. They were so simple and cheap to maintain. I think my next boat will be a Yamaha SX230. Twin Yammy 4 stroke reliability and easy maintenance!

 

[bomar76]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

Anyone that even considers purchasing a Yamaha marine product should consider the screwing they happily gave their unfortunate I/O customers.

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

Well I've worked on the Yamaha PWC and jetboat end of things. I have no experience with their I/Os or outboards. Their pwc engines are top notch.


I also just thought about adding anodes to the list.

 

[DYLBOSS]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

I also heard about changing the impeller every 2-3 years, but is it the lower unit impeller or the water pump impeller, or both?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

I also heard about changing the impeller every 2-3 years, but is it the lower unit impeller or the water pump impeller, or both?

Raw water impeller...not always located in the lower unit because it depends on what drive you have.

 

[scutly]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

I also heard about changing the impeller every 2-3 years, but is it the lower unit impeller or the water pump impeller, or both?

two names for the same part. on a alpha drive there is a water pump in the lower half of the outdrive that has a rubber impeller. it needs to be changed on average at least every two years. or immediately if you ever run the engine out of the water without muffs. without water supply the rubber impeller fries in seconds. don't confuse this with the traditional automotive style water pump bolted to the front of the engine. you have one of those too, but that doesn't require any maintenance related parts replaced.

 

[Aviator5]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

Why would you change spark plugs yearly?

 

[JoLin]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

Why would you change spark plugs yearly?

+1. With electronic ignition, plugs can last a long, long time. Pull them, clean them, gap them and put them back. Inspecting them each year also gives you some insight to how the motor is running.

 

[DYLBOSS]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

two names for the same part. on a alpha drive there is a water pump in the lower half of the outdrive that has a rubber impeller. it needs to be changed on average at least every two years. or immediately if you ever run the engine out of the water without muffs. without water supply the rubber impeller fries in seconds. don't confuse this with the traditional automotive style water pump bolted to the front of the engine. you have one of those too, but that doesn't require any maintenance related parts replaced.

Aha. Thanks for the info.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

I tell ya... I owned pwc for a very very long time. They were so simple and cheap to maintain. I think my next boat will be a Yamaha SX230. Twin Yammy 4 stroke reliability and easy maintenance!

What is the equivalent list of maintenance items on a twin engine Yamaha jet boat? Are there no fuel filters, no plugs?

Seems all you loose is the rubber impeller and bellows

 

[sickwilly]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

Here is what I know so far:

-Impeller- 2 to 3 years depending on who you talk to and water conditions
-Bellows- 5 to 6 years (do different bellows have different time spans? Or all the same?)
-Crankcase and outdrive oil- yearly
-Fuel Filter- yearly
-Oil filter- yearly
-Spark Plugs- yearly
Anodes- as needed

Anything else?

Distributor cap and rotor

Exhaust manifolds if you boat in salt water

Trailer tires every 5 years

Beer every trip to the lake

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

What is the equivalent list of maintenance items on a twin engine Yamaha jet boat? Are there no fuel filters, no plugs?

Seems all you loose is the rubber impeller and bellows

No water pump impeller, no bellows, no outdrive oil, and no anodes. And the best part, no outdrive to remove yearly to inspect/ lube. The maintenance is very simple and much quicker to do. Plus I kind of like the idea of twin engine reliability and the idea that the only way you're gonna sink it is if you hit something and get a massive hole in the hull. Unlike an I/O where if you rip a bellow you're going under quick (from what I hear).

I love my boat. I'm just trying to fix everything mechanically this year as preventative maintenance. The cost of life limited parts add up and the maintenance is really time consuming! Granted, maintenance is taking me longer since I'm learning how to do it all.

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

Distributor cap and rotor

How often and why?

 

[sickwilly]

Re: list of I/O life limited parts

That depends on your boating conditions, and how anal you are. The contacts corrode and wear down. I probably over do it, but have done mine every other year -- which is my plug replacement schedule.

Bellows can last many more years than the standard 5-6 too, again depending on use and condition. There are lots of boats of older boats going strong with 10 year old bellows.

IMHO, its probably actually a wash given the better fuel economy of the IO.