Walter V-Drive Failure

[jeffsv211]

Just wondering if anyone else has had problems with the Walter v-drive unit. In the middle of a run last Saturday night I noticed a vibration while in the middle of a wakeboard run... after the guy fell, I noticed that it changed with rpms. At first I thought it might have been the engine but as it turns out, it was the v-drive. The marina says they have never seen a failure of one of these units and that they are bullet proof. This was my buddy's '04 226 (he was the guy wakeboarding at the time). He has only put 30 hrs on it since he bought it (now has 356 hrs). The marina said it would be handled under warranty (after they verified the problem)but he would have to pay the warranty tranfer fee.. turns out since he never transferred the warranty because the previous owner (original buyer) never gave him the owners manual Correct Craft is saying they won't stand behind the warranty?? I happen to own an '05 SV211 and am approaching the same hours on my boat and am a little concerned. Anyone else have any similar exeriences with either the v-drive or the warranty issues. I love my Nautique and my dealer has always bent over backwards for me -- but I'm a little concerned that CC is questioning this one -- how is a new owner supposed to now what to do to transfer a warranty -- he's very willing to pay the xfer fees (even would have without the v-drive problem)...

Thanks for any feedback or experiences you might have had..

PS>. I was told today that CC is investigating/considering a change of heart - I hope they do!

Jeff in Indiana!

[jos]

RE: Walter V-Drive Failure

Pull the pan of the v-drive, if you find parts, contact me.
DIY repair in my case was cheaper than the transfer fee.

[8122pbrainard]

RE: Walter V-Drive Failure

Jeff, Hopefully you get some help from CC or Walters. The marina that told you they have never seen failure may be new or you're getting the old "we've never seen that before" comment. My understanding is they are very prone to failure. If you don't get any help from CC, Get in touch with Eric here:
http://www.fantasticfinishmarine.com/

[jeffsv211]

RE: Walter V-Drive Failure

jos and 8122pbrainard -- thanks for your quick reply. The buddy whose boat is broke is a very good certified GM mechanic and he was wondering if it was thinking of doing it himself but didn't know the cost tradeoffs? I will certainly feed him this info and see if he can make contact with either of you! He was looking at Walter v-drives on the net and said he was seeing prices from 2500 to $6500. I'll give him a call today.

PS.. I keep telling him what a great site this is and what better resource for your nautique questions than the use community! Thanks again - talk to you soon!

[crowland]

RE: Walter V-Drive Failure

Jeff,

I have dealt with CC over a warranty related issue with my gel-coat (not fun - and still going on 7 months later), but I bought my boat out of state and therefore did not have a relationship the local dealer. My advice is that if you do indeed have a good relationship with your dealer then that would be my first stop. From my experience the dealer is the one who can get warranty/non-warranty issues pushed through.

[SPBFAN]

RE: Walter V-Drive Failure

I have seen this type of issue because the mounting bolts work loose on the mounting brackets. I hope that it is something as simple as that for you. It happened to me. All I did was tighten up the mounting bolts and then I realigned my engine. I have not had the problem since then.

[jeffsv211]

RE: Walter V-Drive Failure

As of today, CC has decided they will not allow this to be a warranty issue since my buddy did not transfer the warranty -- unfortunately for him, he wasn't aware that this needed done or he would have taken care of it.. He will pick his boat up from the marina tomorrow and start his own repair (fortunately, he's a very good mechanic). I told him about some of your replies and he is interested in where he can obtain parts for Walter Drives. He has found their website but some of the links were broken, did manage to get a phone number. Also, looked at the fanatastic finish marine and he'll try to contact them also. Anyone else have any other ideas or helpful hints when replacing or repairing a v-drive in a 226??? I sure hope this doesn't happen to my 211! Oh yeah, the oil is very dark and just a hint of metalic in it -- I'm sure there's some broken metal inside.

Thanks for any help you can provide -- doesn't seem to be much info on the net for v-drives (service manuals, etc.)

[SPBFAN]

RE: Walter V-Drive Failure

go to www.automarinecare.com. He probably does not have Walter V-Drive parts listed on the site but contact him via email from his contact section and tell him what you are after. He probably can get the parts for you at a very fair price compared to other pleaces.

[richard]

Vdrive noise

Can contact Mr.Don (staff of Walter Vdrive company,nice man)at : waltermach@aol.com ,they supply service kit for the Vdrive,a suspect is the wore universal joint,except this,other parts are much comparative strong.

[saceone]

RE: Vdrive noise

that's pretty scary... is it normal to feel tiny vibrations when I'm changing directions (sharp 180degrees) with a rider,people and oem ballast at 18-20mph?

[jeffsv211]

RE: Vdrive noise

My buddy finally went a picked up the boat from the marina and is going to rebuild it himself --- he tore it apart this evening and all but one of the gears looked great - very little wear patterns, but one of the gears appeared to be soft (i.e. not hardened well).. all of the teeth on this one gear were worn completely down. He is supposed to be sending me some pics of it so I can post it here. Like I said, he's a very good auto mechanic. He's hoping that Walter will get him some parts Overnight so he can get it rebuilt and back on the water this weekend!

[richard]

Vdrive

All tooth wore out? how many hour the boat ran? fortunatly, you have a able man to help this,I have unforgetable memory to take out the tooth and bearings and reput it.

[saceone]

RE: Vdrive

up.

[JRMatSmithMountainLake]

RE: Vdrive

Hi JeffSV211

As to Walter V-Drive: I've also been told by a Maryland Correct Craft Dealer that the Walter V-Drive is "Bullet Proof". Exact same words. Must be a marketing approach put out from the manufacturer to the dealers at an anual trade show or something similar. I've had a continual leakage problem with my V-Drive starting after the 1st season of use (2005, 211) - see related posts in this site. No obvious vibration and mechanical yet, but I am beginning to get the impression that Walter may need to address some general quality control issues in thier manufacturing process. Although this V-Drive component seems to do a fantastic job, there are issues that remove it from the catagory of "Bullet Proof". I hope they take this seriously because when someone says "Bullet Proof", and then I see a number of problems spread across the country, that person professing "bullet proof" gives up thier credibility.

[8122pbrainard]

RE: Vdrive

It's funny how CC has stopped using the Walters in all except one of their boats. That one needs modifications to handle the replacement that will come next year. Too many problems over the years with the Walters that couldn't be solved. My understanding is this new drive uses bevel gearing instead of the "U" joint design. The way a V drive should be made! The only refference to "bullets" now, should be the ones Walters is sweating due to all that lost business but it is their own making.