Dealer Issue

[redelf75]

I think the dealer should be responsible for changing the impeller and doing everything else the manufacture recommends in a timely fashion. As it turns out, Candlewood East has not changed my impeller once since I've owned the boat (May 2004). Naturally, it failed, on a Saturday late afternoon, while on vacation. Boat was down 3.5 days, but that's another story.

[DRAGON88]

RE: Dealer Issue

That should be the dealership's responsibility, I mean you're paying them to keep the maintince up on the boat. It takes all of 3 miniutes for a dealership to swap out an impeller. Why not?

[AirNautique211]

RE: Dealer Issue

It would really be nice on my V drive if it were just part of the service plan - and I think it might be with MD only every 2 years - not sure.

[clubmyke]

the dealer should make the owner " AWARE" and charge accordingly for the service..

[surroundsound64]

If the dealer is, has been, and will be, and is aware that they are performing all of the maintenance than without a doubt it is their responsibility.

[bkhallpass]

Hmm. Would be a wise business move for the dealer to suggest that you do all of the recommended maintenance as set forth by the manufacturer, in the timeframe suggested by the manufacturer. Further, most dealers push for you to change the impellar every year (though in most cases, every other year is fine) because it's an easy job, and they make a couple hundred buck on it. Still, I don't know that the dealer has an obligation to tell you to do with your boat. I am suprised the boat was down 3.5 days. On a direct drive boat like yours, that's a 15-20 minute job to change out the impellar. Takes a 1/2 wrench, 7/16, and maybe a pry bar to retighten the belt. Should be able to find an impellar at most any marina. My $.02. BKH

[Mikeski]

What does it say in the owner's manual?

I believe West Coast Correct Craft has included recommendation for the impeller replacement at the 150 or 200 hour service interval? Since I do most of my own service I know that it gets done every other year in my boats so I never gave the dealer the opportunity. I also always carry a spare so I can replace it on the water if needed.

[Quinner]

Sorry to hear about your mishap while on vacation.
I believe it is the owner's responsibility to monitor what service work has or has not been performed on their boat. For me it would have been a red flag when I did not see an impeller replacement charge on any service bill for the past 2+ years. Always keep a spare impeller on hand especially when travelling, I never leave home without one. Down 3.1/2 days? On an Excalibur you can change the impeller in less than 5 minutes, is the ZR-6 not just as simple? Perhaps an issue with the part being out of stock?
Hopefully you now have a spare impeller on hand.

[Hollywood]

I believe it is the owner's responsibility to monitor what service work has or has not been performed on their boat.

So true. Do you expect the dealer to know when you need an oil change too? Are you requesting any kind of full service check/routine when it goes in? Get real and take some responsibility for yourself. Stop complaining about your dealer all the time it's really annoying. At the end of the day who's boat is it? The more you neglect your boat the more $$$ they make on service. At this point I'm not sure I'd even want your business with all the whining you two do.

edited by admin for not conforming to the site terms of use

[Huffy2k]

Sorry to hear about your problem but I believe you have to take responsibility for your own boat. I had my impeller changed the week before I took my boat on vacation. Lots of these guys do their own maintenance, those of us that depend on the dealers for maintenance shouldn't just expect things will get done. In fact, I would be PO'd if I took my boat in for work and ended up paying for things I didn't specifically authorize.

[redelf75]

The PCM manual states to change the impeller every 50 hours or annually. I will agree that it is the customer's responsibilty to monitor the service, but I put faith into the dealer to do the job and to do the job right, by the manufactures spec. I'm not a mechanic and I would not presume to know how or when to change any part on the engine. That's why I take the boat to a dealer and not Joe Schmoe Serivce. As it turned out, that's exactly why the boat took 3.5 days to get fixed, I took it to NECC, but really, that is another story for a another thread.

Hollywood, thanks for your insiteful suggestion.

[Hollywood]

Hollywood, thanks for your insiteful suggestion.

No problem. Had I posted after reading your post at CCF it wouldn't have been nearly as nice.

[Huffy2k]

CCF?

[justin]

Noob question, from probable sv-211 owner....what impeller and why is this important? Would this be for the engine water cooling system, the bilge pump, or for the ballast tanks? Are they the same type of pumps thus same impellers? I'd imagine the ones for the motor are different than the bilge and ballast?

[Onthewater]

The impeller draws lake water in to cool the engine. There are fins/blades that wear or break over time and lose the ability to draw sufficient water thus the engine temperature rises and possibly overheats which leads to engine damage.

Yes, the engine impeller is different that the ballast/bilge pumps.

HUFFY2K, CCF = www.correctcraftfan.com

REDELF75, in the end it is your boat, not the dealers, therefore you should atleast check that this stuff is being done. You own an inboard niche boat, time to learn a little about it.