37 minutes ago, csleaver said:

Since some maintenance schedules focus primarily on the powertrain, many unrelated boat components get overlooked.  This is a fairly comprehensive (but not engine specific) 100 hour/annual inspection list.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qv4rabswmgn3qp4es7hof/100-Hour-Inspection-Checklist.pdf?rlkey=uawu1xztio5jzosfyz60v85o5&dl=0

 

Thank you, some of it is common sense but it's much more comprehensive than the owner's manual maintenance schedule.    I assumed I bought a brand new boat, so the engine alignment should be perfect and not something that changes over time unless work has been performed.    I see I have an alignment to perform before my next outing....hence my question in the other alignment thread.   

11 minutes ago, formulaben said:

I started out doing very little, and now I do it all.  You're in the right place here!!  Nobody will take care of and maintain the boat like the owner will.  If you feel like it's above your competence level, don't.  With all the great members here sharing the info from years of experience you'll have the benefit of a tremendous head start.  Buy some decent tools, watch some videos, and jump in.  It's actually a lot of fun!

Oh I'm well aware of the intended communal mindset of a good technical forum.  It's why I hate Facebook groups that replaced actual forums.   I am a mechanical engineer, automotive engineer in former roles, and have built engines in my garage.  There's no lack of ability, just knowledge, and I'm growing the latter.   I just can't stand to pay shop labor rates on things I can do myself.   If the dealership business model relies on me for service, they're in trouble!   

I've got 2014 Wakesetter, 350 Monsoon. Had a fault code last through 8+ warm up/cool down cycles. Then, went skiing and (for the first time since code popped) put it under heavy load at high rpms and it immediately cleared. Not sure what to make of that; however, a friend said he read somewhere that you need to hit 165 degree engine temp, which I wouldn't have done in my cycling but assuming I did do skiing. Hope that helps!

17 hours ago, dizzygti said:

Who here does their own service?

I started out doing very little, and now I do it all.  You're in the right place here!!  Nobody will take care of and maintain the boat like the owner will.  If you feel like it's above your competence level, don't.  With all the great members here sharing the info from years of experience you'll have the benefit of a tremendous head start.  Buy some decent tools, watch some videos, and jump in.  It's actually a lot of fun!

You can check the natural alignment and angular alignment by removing the propshaft coupler bolts.  The engine mount lock nuts and trunnion pinch bolt nuts only need to be loosened to make adjustments.  The pinch bolts usually need a good hard tap to release them.  I do it a bit differently than Aaron does.  The most common issue I find that he seemed to have skipped over is the propshaft rubbing on the shaft log due to poor vertical adjustment of the transmission mount height.  A thick zip tie can be used to check the shaft to log clearance from under the boat.  Removing the dripless seal hose from the log makes it easier to see if the shaft is rubbing.  Also, I don't tighten any of the trunnion or mount nuts until the alignment adjustments are done, then I check it again after they are all tight. 

If you just suck the fluid out of the reservoir then open the bleeder screws on the calipers and drain there, that would be easiest.   To be honest, I never thought of doing this…..