My first EPIC X22

[DesmoPorsche]

Bought my first Toyota Epic X22 from a another member and we love it. We took it out last weekend and it lived up to all of our expectations.  Now comes the fun part, the boat needs a full service.  Does anyone know any shops in Houston Texas that can work on them?

Thanks

DP 

[DENNIS]

DP,

Congrats on the new to you Epic.  You will love it.  Check out the maintenance section on this site.  All the regular maintenance is in that section and it is very easy to follow.  I am not even close to mechanically inclined and I have done all my maintenance myself.  It really is much easier than I thought it would be and I have saved some big $$.  If you have any questions about any of it, there is always someone on this fantastic site that can help you.

Enjoy your Epic.

Dennis

[Rambling Wreck]

Welcome to a great group of happy boat owners.

Dennis is right - do the service yourself. It is easy and you get to know your boat better in the process.

[flyn2001]

No Doubt!! Congrats on the boat.  I recommend you grab a 6-pack of brew and make a day of it.  I enjoy doing the maintenance on my boat.  I highly recommend you change the impellar and serp belt and plugs to start off your EPIC experience (In addition to the oil, fuel/water sep, sea strainer, etc.).  Also, one last piece of advice (I learned this the hard way this last season during my winterization maintenance, but when you go to change out the tranny fluid (red oil) suck it out of the dipstick hole and then refill.  I took off the big flat round plate type cap and the o-ring was the absolute BIGGEST BEEEHOTCH to get back on.  I spent like 1-hr fighting with it, as the sun was almost set. 

X-22 owners....have you ever battled with that cap??  If memory serves, it was like the o-ring was too big for the lid.  Combine that with the red oil getting all over your hands and it was a slippery pain in the A$$.

[Rambling Wreck]

Flyn, I had the EXACT problem you described when I first changed my transmission fluid. I taught myself a few choice new words that day. However, I read a post in here that if you put some elbow grease behind it, the nut on top of the flat plate will loosen and the cap is much easier to replace. Sure enough, I was timid the first time but then I went at it and broke it loose - the difference was day and night. Replacing the cap has been very easy since then.

DesmoPorsche, this site is not like most - full of egos and competitive. It is truly supportive. Give the maintenance a shot. Most questions are answered either in the maintenance section or, if in doubt, do a search and most topics have been discussed. Howeever, always feel free to ask queestions. The members enjoy helping others.

[tenn162000]

That tranny cap is a Pain.   Here is my Dumb Story Dealing with that: When I winterized fall 2007 on X22 I mess around with that for probably 6 hrs.  I ended up CUTTING (sadly) the o-ring and going to the local ace hardware to get a replacement.   Okay, DON'T DO THIS!!! haha.   6 or 7 trip to ace later and trying to rig up something just to get a temporary fix and never found any combination that would work.  Ace has the right size but the "thickness" was off by a couple millimeters so I never got a good seal.   Finally, I thought I got the seal to work so I hooked up the fake-a-lake and engaged the transmission, success or so I thought.  I was in the local area and checked up on the boat a few weeks later. What a mess.  My "rigged" o-ring had managed to create some sort of vacuum and drained all the trans fluid through the cap.  I ordered the new o-ring and trans filter through Capt. Rick and spent an entire day cleaning up the fluid in the bilge.   I never cease to amaze myself how difficult I can make the easiest task sometimes.  The story finishes out well though, the part arrived and I learned the correct way to loosen the two halves which makes it ALOT easier.  Best part is I haven't had a problem with the tranny since.


DP-  Congrats on the X22!!!  I love mine.  The above story probably doesn't inspire you to do try and tackle the maintenance yourself but YOU SHOULD TRY because it is pretty simple stuff.  If you ever run into problems check the old post.   Had I had internet in the storage unit that day - I would of found the post about the transmission cap and the best way to tackle the problem.   But I was out in middle of nowhere Tennessee.  I've learned/done more with maintenance on this boat that I have ever attempted with anything else thanks to the support of this site.  Congrats on the purchase and welcome.

[2000epic]

let's see some pics!

Bought my first Toyota Epic X22 from a another member and we love it. We took it out last weekend and it lived up to all of our expectations.  Now comes the fun part, the boat needs a full service.  Does anyone know any shops in Houston Texas that can work on them?

Thanks

DP 

[masonlk]

If you really just don't want to do the work yourself any reputable shop that works on tournament boats should be able to do the work. They can just get on this site and download all the necessary documents to do any maintenance other than major engine work. I will find a Master Toyota Tech if that day ever comes. DON"T overheat the engine and you should never have a problem that new plugs won't cure. The boat and engine are solid major components. Everything else is just normal wear and tear and maintenance you would have with any boat.