One of the four hoses has a slight leak when the outdrive is raised all the way to the top. If the outdrive is raised just a little bit shy of the top, there is no leaking. All four hoses were just replaced along with the O rings inside the motor that controls the hydraulics. The people who worked on the boat (a 2008 Four Winns H200) said that the leaking is a chronic problem with system in the 2008 boat and that the recommended fix is to replace the entire system with a new and improved unit. The cost for the new unit is $1,200 plus labor. Has anyone out there experienced a similar problem? Is there a way to fix it without replacing everything?
Another problem I am experiencing is with the switch that controls raising and lowering the outdrive. Sometime it works and sometimes it doesn't. To get around the problem temporarily I made a pig tail to get around the switch and connect directly to the battery. Most mechanics I have talked to say that the way to fix the problem is to replace the entire shifter, about $700 plus labor. Another alternative that was suggested is to pry open the shifter casing and gently separate some of the components of the shifter that are too tightly compressed and prevent the switch from working. Has anyone had this problem and do you have a suggestion about how to fix it? I have already replaced the high pressure fuel pump and the starter. The boat has 125 hours on it. Maybe it's time to let it go.
Any suggestions on a replacement are welcome. Thanks.
