V-drive etc. typical maintenance schedule??

[charlieft]

I am going to look at a 2003 290 amberjack this weekend. It has ~360 hours on it. Does anyone know what maintenance should have been performed by 360 hours? I will most likely be getting a survey if we like the boat. I believe the boat has been in salt water for the 360 hours. I'd appreciate any opinions on what kind of wear-and-tear to look for ... I'd like to have a better idea of what to look at before taking the next step and paying for a survey ....

Thanks,

 

[barryg]

The typical service is done every 100 hours, so they should have records of each of those services. That would be for the transmissions (replacing filters and fluids) both engines ( plugs, fuel filters, impellers, oil filters, oil, checking belts, sea strainers, as well as the genny- you can order a sea spare kit for that, which includes spark plugs, impeller, zinc, oil filter and of course changing the oil on that, and the batteries should also have been replaced by now so you want to check those. You might want to check the Owners Manual for the boat as in the back it lists the normal service , and then call the local Sea Ray Dealer and see what they recommend. If the last service was not done (at 300 hours), you should deduct that amount from your offer. Of course if you are serious on that boat, a survey on the hull and the engines etc should be done including a compression test. Also the boat should have been hauled out and the bottom and running gear inspected and the bottom repainted probably every 2 years in salt water, so see if they have records for that. Again, if you get serious enough to want to make an offer make sure you get a qualified surveyor and arrange for a sea trial with the typical conditions you will be operating the boat under-gas, water, people, so you get an idea on how it operates. Hopefully Frank and others will add to this and give you more info.

Good luck and let us know what you find out. Barry

 

[Vince_nj1]

I was under the impression that a Walter V-Drive called for an oil change every 300 hours. I can't find where I read that..

This is the link to Mercruiser's manual.
http://northamerica.mercurymarine.c...anty/inboard-models/EC/90-899883173-Maint.pdf

Ok.. just found this.. (Page 15)
http://www.pearson424.org/manuals/VDrive/pages/Page15_jpg.htm

http://www.pearson424.org/manuals/VDrive/vdrivemanual.html

It says, change oil in transmission after the first 100 hours, then 500 thereafter.

 

[fwebster]

Don't let the v-drive thing throw you. Just do an annual or 100 hour service on the engine..........do whatever Mercruiser recommends for the engine.

The drive is most likely a ZF-Hurth V-drive, I'm not aware of Sea Ray using a Walther transmission, but they may, and all you need to do is to change the fluid and filter. Depending upon which drive they use the filter is either washable or is a replaceable spin-on filter. Again, follow the VF manual for fluid and filter recommendations.

Many people don't consider it, but your deal on the new boat should be contingent upon the inclusion of the original owners packet so you don't have to scout up all the manuals to guide you thru the basic preventive maintenance chores.

 

[Vince_nj1]

Thanks for the feedback Frank.

I bought my boat used (repo), so I don't have any manuals. I assumed that I had a Walter V-drive, simply because Mercruiser made reference to models with "Walter V-Drive". When I get back to the boat I will try to figure out who makes the transmission.

 

[skolbe]

The drive ares ZF-Hurth 63-IV- the transmission fluid is suppose to be changed initially at 25 hours along with the filters initially and then every 100 hours thereafter. They also specify Transmission Fluid Spec's and brands in the manuals.

 

[charlieft]

Thanks for the info ...

 

[Vince_nj1]

Ok.. Now that I know that I have a ZF-Hurth 63 transmission. (Thank you Skolbe) I searched on the internet for a manual. I found this.

http://www.steyr-motors.com/pdf/english/operation/omzf.pdf

It says that you need to change the oil after the first 25 hours, then every 300 hours or once a year there after.

Page 36 lists the recommended type of transmissions fluid to use.

 

[skolbe]

There are two manuals. The Merc. ones say 100 hours for the transmissions. Also - I have heard others say 300 hours but my 07 manuals say 100 hours. I think the big diesels transmissions are 300 hours. It's easy to change once you figure it out. I have to pump mine out via the filter. Cheap insurance - after 100 hours or once a season - the fluid looks still new.