Official 400EC thread

[markrsimon]

I think your best option is inside the seat pedestal itself. The only room in the ER is in the center between the engines, or towards the rear behind the eng/trans - but you have batteries, electrical, etc. There are other nooks and crannies / but getting there and routing duct work is another story.

If you managed to find a spot in the ER, getting the hoses up to the cockpit area would be challenging. On this boat, there are 5 removable floor panels that allow you to get to the ER. While you could route a vent through one - it would be a PIA when it came time to remove one of those panels.

Under the helm seats has plenty of room. You would just need to include a DC power disconnect by the seat - because every now and then you have to move that entire seat pedestal out of the way to pull up the hatch to get to that engine (ditto for other side).

Once you get a bit more time on the boat to look at the engine room access and what needs to be moved/removed - you’ll know your options pretty quickly.

 

[techmitch]

We will be installing 2 HeaterCraft 300 series cockpit heaters in our boat once we take possession. In our current boat it's mounted under the driver seat. Im not familiar with the engine room and am wondering if there is a common place for mounting the heaters as well as vent locations. Dont want to reinvent the wheel. Has anyone installed these? It's a 92 400 ec

Are you thinking of mounting a heater in the bilge of a gas powered boat?

 

[hillsideshortleg]

Thanks Markrsimon I had a feeling it was going to go like that. I was also wondering about quick disconnects for the water lines But Im not sure what kind of problems that could create.
Techmitch: Yes, I was thinking they are hydronic so no problem. Would the fan motors be a problem in the bilge?

 

[Eluther3]

After years of dreaming of owning a 400 ec we are in the final stages of becoming an owner. Our current boat is a 89 280 Sundancer that we had made a lot of upgrades on. The 400 is a well cared for 92. I decided for fun that I would start on page 1 of this thread and educate myself. I was scared by the time I had got to page 10. I am surprised by the number of problems that can come up. Are they fairly trouble free boats and the only reason I am seeing the problems is because this is the forum where you bring your problems? Also we cruise for hours in our 280 at around 1000 /1200 rpm, will we be able to cruise at the same slow rate for hours or will this be hard on the 400 in some way. And will the fuel milage be drastically different with the 454's compared to the 5.7s?. Thanks in advance

I have a 92 EC and yes, you will need to spend some time keeping the boat up. After all, it is a 30 year old boat. I think 1999 was the last year the 400 EC was made, so every boat on the forum is at least 24 years old, so you will see a lot of discussion about maintenance.

That being said, in the slips around me there is a two Mainship Mediteranians and two Wellcraft Portofinos of a similar age and mine is the only one that goes out on a regular basis. I think Searay builds a better boat.

 

[hillsideshortleg]

We have had our 89 280 for around 13 years and have had very few problems. We paid a lot because we believed it was well cared for. LOL it turned out to be a good gamble. This boat is well over book but we look at the care it has had and hope for the same lack of problems LOL. We put a lot of hours on the boat from March or April to October. It's pretty much our only escape from work. Eluther3 any advice on this particular year?

 

[Eluther3]

We have had our 89 280 for around 13 years and have had very few problems. We paid a lot because we believed it was well cared for. LOL it turned out to be a good gamble. This boat is well over book but we look at the care it has had and hope for the same lack of problems LOL. We put a lot of hours on the boat from March or April to October. It's pretty much our only escape from work. Eluther3 any advice on this particular year?

I'm a relative newby myself. This is only my second boat and the first one of this size. Previous owner did not maintain as well as the previous owner of your boat. My advice is to have a good pre-purchase inspection and make sure you address all issues identified.

 

[jonsm114]

Mission accomplished, Portside transmission output seal replaced successfully. Had been dripping. Then a bit more. Pulled it apart. Not much room to work in. About 4 inches. Pulled seal and some parts fell out in my hand. Exciting.

fitted new seal into clean opening with some sealer and reversed the flange and used 4 inch bolts and nuts to press from the shaft flange to set new seal.

I reassembled, torqued flange nut with some RTV gasket maker and refilled. No leak. Took her out for a spin and no leaks. So while I am down there pulled dipstick on starboard side and surprise, milky fluid…..ordered a new heat exchanger today. Oh yeah…lovin the SeaRay life!

 

[hottoddie]

Mission accomplished, Portside transmission output seal replaced successfully. Had been dripping. Then a bit more. Pulled it apart. Not much room to work in. About 4 inches. Pulled seal and some parts fell out in my hand. Exciting.

fitted new seal into clean opening with some sealer and reversed the flange and used 4 inch bolts and nuts to press from the shaft flange to set new seal.

I reassembled, torqued flange nut with some RTV gasket maker and refilled. No leak. Took her out for a spin and no leaks. So while I am down there pulled dipstick on starboard side and surprise, milky fluid…..ordered a new heat exchanger today. Oh yeah…lovin the SeaRay life!

Heat exchanger would cause loss of coolant not water in oil. Bad oil cooler could cause water in oil as well as head gasket or intake manifold gasket.

 

[Sgrochow]

We will be installing 2 HeaterCraft 300 series cockpit heaters in our boat once we take possession. In our current boat it's mounted under the driver seat. Im not familiar with the engine room and am wondering if there is a common place for mounting the heaters as well as vent locations. Dont want to reinvent the wheel. Has anyone installed these? It's a 92 400 ec

I had one of these in my 30.

page 2 of installation manual

Warning – Do not mount the heater unit into the bilge area or any compartment that may draw air away from the bilge.

 

[jonsm114]

Heat exchanger would cause loss of coolant not water in oil. Bad oil cooler could cause water in oil as well as head gasket or intake manifold gasket.

Transmission cooler, fresh water cooled, water in trans fluid..

 

[Ralf]

After years of dreaming of owning a 400 ec we are in the final stages of becoming an owner. Our current boat is a 89 280 Sundancer that we had made a lot of upgrades on. The 400 is a well cared for 92. I decided for fun that I would start on page 1 of this thread and educate myself. I was scared by the time I had got to page 10. I am surprised by the number of problems that can come up. Are they fairly trouble free boats and the only reason I am seeing the problems is because this is the forum where you bring your problems? Also we cruise for hours in our 280 at around 1000 /1200 rpm, will we be able to cruise at the same slow rate for hours or will this be hard on the 400 in some way. And will the fuel milage be drastically different with the 454's compared to the 5.7s?. Thanks in advance

 

[Ralf]

I have been driving a 94 400ec with CATs for a good 2 years. The boat is very solidly built and I haven't had any problems despite being almost 30 years old. Of course, regular maintenance of the engines is important, especially engine oil and cooling water. But also keep an eye on the transmission oil.

Even longer trips at 800 to 1200 rpm do not cause any problems if you let the engine run at higher speeds for a short time (so that the turbochargers can function).

In the case of the waste water/toilet, make sure that no "women's care products" are disposed of via the vacuum toilet. This can quickly lead to unpleasant problems. Here the crew must be instructed emphatically.

It protects the water pump if you always keep the pressure expansion tank in working condition.

Especially when I look at colleagues with similarly old boats from other manufacturers and their problems, I am happy that I chose a SeaRay.

 

[Eluther3]

I know we have discussed in this forum but I can't find, so bear with me.

The sliding door to the cabin is getting harder and harder to open and close. Have any of you been able to find quality replacement rollers for the door, or done any othe type of fix?

 

[Nick Hahn]

I know we have discussed in this forum but I can't find, so bear with me.

The sliding door to the cabin is getting harder and harder to open and close. Have any of you been able to find quality replacement rollers for the door, or done any othe type of fix?

Mine has the plastic sliders - I turned them over to get some more life out of them. Lubricated the slides as well.

 

[Eluther3]

I know we have discussed in this forum but I can't find, so bear with me.

The sliding door to the cabin is getting harder and harder to open and close. Have any of you been able to find quality replacement rollers for the door, or done any othe type of fix?

Update - Took the door apart yesterday determined to get this fixed. I removed the rollers and they were actually in good shape. I took each assembly apart, cleaned and lubricated then reassembled so there was no play. Then I stumbled on an easy way to get the door aligned. When I was taking off the door, I was having issues getting one of the rollers off with a screwdriver, so I found a socket that fit the bolt and barely fit through the opening in the door. When I reassembled, I used the screwdriver to start the bolt and finished with the socket. Because the socket barely fit through the opening, it was not possible to put it in crooked. So, by tightening the bolt with the socket, I was making sure the bolt went in straight and the door was in proper alignment. Did the same with the rest of the bolts and the door slides like it's brand new.

 

[hillsideshortleg]

Plastic frames, 1996 400EC. Stripped prior to now foam and vinyl.

We are rebuilding our seats and I need to find the passenger seat width, Trying not to drive up to the lake. would you have that? Thanks Rick. PS would love to see your pics on this. We are building aluminum seats to replace the plastic ones.

 

[Fun Hurts]

Transom shower hose replacement.
Access is though the rear seat compartment. There is a removable panel thats held in with two screws.
Hope this helps some 400 owners.
Mark

I had to go back to 2008 to find anything about replacing the transom shower hose.
Mark helpfully mentioned the rear seat being secured by only two screws. Has anyone replaced the rear hose/spray assembly, and could you provide any details about what and how you did, including where you found a replacement sprayer?
The hose broke next to the sprayer, and it looks like repairing it isn't an option, only replacement.
Thanks - Todd

 

[Nick Hahn]

I had to go back to 2008 to find anything about replacing the transom shower hose.
Mark helpfully mentioned the rear seat being secured by only two screws. Has anyone replaced the rear hose/spray assembly, and could you provide any details about what and how you did, including where you found a replacement sprayer?
The hose broke next to the sprayer, and it looks like repairing it isn't an option, only replacement.
Thanks - Todd

I have not done mine - bet we did have ALL the interior out and re-covered a couple seasons ago. The panel he is talking about is behind the rear seat in the "storage" area of the boat, not the seat. To the port side there should be a panel that acts as the end of the compartment. It is held in place with a couple of screws. Remove that panel and you should be able to see the the hose connection. No guarantees that you can reach it though ;-)

 

[Sans Souci]

Replaced mine a few years back. You can get access to the valve and flex shower hose via an access panel on the starboard side in the cubby behind the rear cockpit bench. It's tough, but doable. I replaced it with an 8" flex stainless steel shower hose purchased on Amazon.​

 

[Fun Hurts]

​

Replaced mine a few years back. You can get access to the valve and flex shower hose via an access panel on the starboard side in the cubby behind the rear cockpit bench. It's tough, but doable. I replaced it with an 8" flex stainless steel shower hose purchased on Amazon.​

Excellent info guys, appreciate both of your input. This is now officially added to the off-season "to do" list.