Speedometer issues.

[lazypp]

My 2004 Ebbtide 210 Campione (Volvo Penta 5.0 Gxi/SX 270 hp) has had a slow responding speedometer, that also reads around 10-15 mph low.
I blew out the line from the speedo back, revealing some water and a small black speck, but was dissappointed to see it's performance didn't improve when put back in the water.
I am suspicious that it is likely one of two things. First, it could just be bad luck that I might have a bad speedo even though it's only 6 years old. Secondly, it might be a speedo line pulled to tight and kinked or bent restricting the airflow to the speedo (that would kind of explain the slow build up of speed on the gauge during fast accelleration.)
Thoughts? Am I way overthinking this and clear out in left field? Any clues how to follow a speedo line through the boat to the gauge?
I sure appreciate your help.

 

[Philster]

Re: Speedometer issues.

Operating pressure is something less than 10 psi, so they are easily damaged by pressurized air.

Don't expect anything from an analog boat speedo below 15 MPH. Heck, if a boat speedo reads anything below 20, consider it a bonus.

They come alive above 20-25 MPH. They tend to even out and get more accurate above that speed, too. Still, they can be off a few MPH or much worse.

I love my GPS speedometer that is wired to my Garmin GPS -- Costly, but effective. Also overkill, but boats are overkill anyway! Reads out every MPH from 1 MPH on up.

 

[DJ]

Re: Speedometer issues.

"Water and a speck" is your first issue.

If you have water in the line, that means a leak-somewhere.

Boat speedos DO NOT work with leaks.

Find/Fix those.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Speedometer issues.

I only use the speed given by my GPS.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Speedometer issues.

Perhaps a replacement pitot kit is in your future.