Newbie I/O Questions

[83Evinrude]

After many years of outboards and several boats, my wife and I now have our first I/O. It's a Volvo Penta 5.0GL SX in a 2004 Glastron SX 195. I have some questions about I/O's, thanks to anyone who can educate me.


What is the maximum trim level the outdrive can be operated at (slow speed) for running in shallow water, without fear of damaging u-joints and other
parts?

When I shift to forward the outdrive is very smooth, but when shifting from neutral to reverse there is a big clunk. Is this normal for Volvo's cone clutch?

When and for how long should the blower be run?

When the boat is heading straight, the top of the steering wheel points to about 2-3pm (clock face). Where can I adjust this?

When I lube the gimbal bearing, how much should I use? Should it be idling on muffs (garden hose)?


For the winter I know the engine block and manifolds will have to be drained of water, the engine and lower unit's oil changed, and the engine fogged. What other things will be different for winterizing? Should the block be pumped full of antifreeze after draining?

Any other advice is very much appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: Newbie I/O Questions

Best thing you could do right now is go to the link below and download an owners manual. You will need the FULL model number or Volvo SN of the engine to get the right manual. You will also need those numbers here for accurate answers. Year of your boat doesn't help much with engine ID.

http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/glo...ice/publication_search/publication_search.htm

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Newbie I/O Questions

Thanks for the link, I have both the original manual and have downloaded the one from Volvo. Some of my questions are not answered by it and I was hoping to gain some knowledge from those experienced in I/O's.

 

[Don S]

Re: Newbie I/O Questions

What is the maximum trim level the outdrive can be operated at (slow speed) for running in shallow water, without fear of damaging u-joints and other
parts?

I wouldn't go over 2/3 of the way up, and only at idle rpm.

When I shift to forward the outdrive is very smooth, but when shifting from neutral to reverse there is a big clunk. Is this normal for Volvo's cone clutch?

Taking all the backlash in the gears the opposite direction. May do the same thing when going from reverse to forward.
Too high an idle rpm and/or stainless steel props also make it worse.
Forward also gets more use and is "broken in" a little more.

When and for how long should the blower be run?

5 min. Should be a sticker on the dash, and it's in the manual.

When I lube the gimbal bearing, how much should I use? Should it be idling on muffs (garden hose)?

You can, do it running if you want. But unless you use the boat over 100 hours per year you won't need to during the season. Since you should be pulling the drive during winterizing, you can grease it then, pump the old out and new in and wipe up the old grease.

For the winter I know the engine block and manifolds will have to be drained of water, the engine and lower unit's oil changed, and the engine fogged. What other things will be different for winterizing? Should the block be pumped full of antifreeze after draining?

Head up to the Adults only sticky at the top of this forum and have a look at the winterizing threads.

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Newbie I/O Questions

Don:

Thanks for the responses, any ideas on centering up the steering wheel?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Newbie I/O Questions

What is the maximum trim level the outdrive can be operated at (slow speed) for running in shallow water, without fear of damaging u-joints and other
parts?

Sounds like you have some shallow water there. One thing that you should do if that is a concern is make sure that your trim limit switch is adjusted properly (manual should tell how to do it), and that your tilt indicator indicates correctly. Don't know how to do it o a volvo, but went through it this spring with my Mercruiser, it was way off and allowed the outdrive to trim up too much.

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Newbie I/O Questions

Sounds like you have some shallow water there. One thing that you should do if that is a concern is make sure that your trim limit switch is adjusted properly (manual should tell how to do it), and that your tilt indicator indicates correctly. Don't know how to do it o a volvo, but went through it this spring with my Mercruiser, it was way off and allowed the outdrive to trim up too much.

The lake I normally boat on is deep, I was mainly interested in having the drive trimmed up for beaching and launching/loading. With the bunk trailer we have, it works better to use engine power to drive on.

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: Newbie I/O Questions

about the steering wheel: Mine is held on by 1 big bolt in the center. if i take it off i can pull the steering wheel off and center it. take a good look at yours and see how to remove it. have someone stand behind the boat and hold the outdrive straight while you put the steering wheel back on.