Cobaltchat.com

In case anyone would like to know how this turned out:

The dealer replaced the Helm Control Unit, but when I tested it, the symptoms returned after 10 mins of idling (water temp at 167 deg). Today they replaced the impeller (not sure why, based on symptoms this wasn't done earlier) and it tested OK.

Same dealer had done the 100 hour service + winterization last fall (boat would have been at about 2.75 years old at that point) and the recommissioning this spring. I would have assumed that the 2 year service items like the impeller would have been at least recommended at these events if not part of the 100 hour service.

So, my learnings on this are: 1) I need to pay attention to all the recommended service intervals for various parts myself - it is not like at a car dealer where they always have a listed of service items they recommend when you take your car in; and 2) I needed to pay more attention to the experts here who said the impeller was the likely cause - I should have pushed dealer on that and made sure I understood that it was not included in recent servicings.

Thanks for all your help!

Jeff

I don't change my impeller based on hours...I change it based on years. I change mine every other year but others do it every year. I think 2 years is the absolute max you would ever want to go and I wait until right before I put my boat in for the year so the new impeller isn't sitting all winter.

Here is the Service Protocol on the VP-350. 4 years to replace the impeller is hit or miss. If you tend to suck up sand and mud there is a good chance the fins will get torn up quickly. Its a very easy DIY as long as you spend the couple of bucks for the puller.

Glad you have it figured out, but sucks that the confidence in your boat isn't what it was any longer. Hopefully it is something that can be resolved quickly, and you guys can get back on the water, and your worries pushed aside. There's nothing like a good lake day to melt away worries.