why the I/O always have problems?

[betayv]

hello there I have a question to all the members of the forum to see ifthis happen to everybody else, my I/O always have a problem runs fine for 2 months then something came out, never have a engine issue? (let me knock on wood), always is related with the outdrive or fuel, I have a brand new outdrive, brand new transon kit assy including the bearing, everything been installed by a certified shop, and I still having issues, I have friends with outboards and they dont have as many issues and prblems like me, I always do maintenance in the boat trying to keep everything ready and boooooommmm always something came out? is my luck or always is like that with the I/O.....

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

I/O's are very reliable, but like anything else, require regular maintaince by a qualified mechanic. And just because a shop is "certified", doesn't mean the lot lizard in training didn't work on YOUR boat! 2cycle outboards, especially OMC's, are far more unreliable!

 

[thumpar]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

I have only had one small problem with my I/O and that was right after I bought the boat. Never had a problem since and that was many years ago. I think you only hear about the problems sometimes so that skews things.

If I go to my local launch and watch for a bit I will see outboard boats with starting or stay running problems all day long (I have to wait for them all the time). The I/O's are fine.

 

[4Winns2]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

Simply, it's a boat, expect issues; especially on older boats. Not a season goes by where I don't 2 or 3 fairly good sized issues to deal with. Toolbox and ratchet set never leave my trunk during the boating season.

( She [the boat] seems to run better if I talk dirty to her once in a while.)

Best of luck.

 

[BAproject]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

Well...most son;t come to these forums if everything is working properly

 

[betayv]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

jajajajagood 4winss2 mine sometimes I have to poor beer on him to blessed, well I guess Im dont have bad luck as seems....

 

[4Winns2]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

jajajajagood 4winss2 mine sometimes I have to poor beer on him to blessed, well I guess Im dont have bad luck as seems....

Simple strategy:

Boat broken? Drink beer.
Boat running well? Drink beer.
Boat stored for winter? Drink beer.
Boat in need of a wax job? Drink beer.

I think you can see where I'm going with all this.

 

[ChrisCraftJohnny]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

I/O's are the boats Outboarders wish they had!

However, Outboards due have their place and are for the mostpart a much simpler design. But BOOM, there they are, always in the way. Most fishing boats use em. And there are reasons for that.

 

[JimS123]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

I/O's are very reliable, but like anything else, require regular maintaince by a qualified mechanic. And just because a shop is "certified", doesn't mean the lot lizard in training didn't work on YOUR boat! 2cycle outboards, especially OMC's, are far more unreliable!

Wow, never heard that before. Around here the Mercs get towed in by the OMCs. My 1952 Rude still runs like a champ and my 1938 Johnny is still running with its original coil. I agree I/Os are reliable, but actually my I/O is the only boat I ever had to have towed!

I know, Ford vs. Chevy thing....LOL.

 

[JimS123]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

I/O's are the boats Outboarders wish they had!

.

I agree....that's how I always thought. After owning both, my next boat will be back to an outboard again.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

I love the deep sound of my V8 and the big torque for takeoffs. However I do miss outboard winterizing by filling the gas tank and disconnecting the battery.

 

[JustJason]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

I/O's require quite a bit more maintenence than an OB or IB. It's because of that, that they quite often get neglected.

 

[ewenm]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

first boat was a a used 18' half cabin with an older v4 Evirude, it was old and the motor was troublesome, and i was learning

next was a 1993 bayliner ciera 2255 bought in 2001, and that motor and out drive was a piece of poo, gave nothing but trouble for about 2 years, till i repowered it with a VP 225 hp efi and duo props, then 5 years of absolute trouble free boating, that was the best money i ever spent, only had to do annual services, totally trouble free

now we have a 10 year old Mustang 3200 sports cruiser (Australian) with twin 4.3 efi mercruisers and bravo 2's and just had it 12 months, just had the annual service done, and only one break down through the year, an ignition module in the distributor on one engine, got home on the second ok

the bayliner had 3 previous owners and had been poorly maintained mechanically although in good cosmetic condition, on the other hand the Mustang has been meticulously maintained by one previous owner.

guess thats the story, its all about how they are maintained

my experience anyway

Ewen

 

[dingbat]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

But BOOM, there they are, always in the way. Most fishing boats use em. And there are reasons for that.

Most fishing boat use them because outboards are much less obtrusive than an I/O. You don't have a big motor box taking up half the cockpit and you don't have 3 feet of outdrive sticking off the back of the boat.


And before anyone says anything, the outboard sticks up above the transom a whole 4". Can hardly see around it. No need for a sun pad because w/o the motor cover I can get two full size chase lounges in the cockpit.
Even had a picnic table in the back last summer for an offshore crab feast.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

I guess I'm in the minority then, with my 7 year old I/O not having any problems. (knock serious wood, I probably just doomed my boat with that comment!)

I wish I could find that "guy munching popcorn" smiley, as this thread will soon devolve into a winless debate.

For the record:

Ford IS Better the Chevy
I/O's rock big time over outboards
High octane gas gives engines more power
It's perfectly okay to use any old motor oil in any marine engine.
"Marine Grade" anything is just a marketing ploy to charge us more

 

[98Shabah]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

I haven't had any big problems with my I/O, just maintenance, which is actually pretty simple. With proper maintenance and no damage/abuse, they should last a long time.

I like my fiberglass I/O boat for the clean look of it, but my next boat will be more practical, I'd really like a Starcraft Islander with an outboard, if I can find one.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

I/O's have more to break.

 

[avenger79]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

well I don't have an i/o to compare to but I will tell you when I go to the lake with my outboard, i paddle away from the dock so I don't hold anybody up in case it has issues.

 

[seaboo]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

I/O or Outboard the key is maintenance!!!!! The only problems I've ever had with an I/O (owned several) were electrical issues (knocking on wood now)

In my experience, it takes a while to figure out the "bugs" or "gremlins" that the peculiar boat has, and to get them worked out (never owned a new boat, always bought used). Once you get it "dialed in" your engine will be trouble free.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: why the I/O always have problems?

Well, here we go again. So my boat is an 01. I bought it 3 years ago and it had a book value of $19000, and I paid $2100. It had been reposesed. Seats were tore up, gelcoat faded, severe rust on the rear of the engine. It is a 5.7 V8 I/0. I replaced a fuel pump wire and vroom. The boat got absolutely NO maintainance until I bought it. In 3 years of boating all I ever had to do to it was rust repair and maintanance and it was trouble free. This year I blew a head gasket. Turns out it was a installed incorrectly and it got pinched, so again, not the boats fault. So I figure if mine can take this kind of abuse and be trouble free, they must be pretty good. And I run it pretty hard myself.