Just bought an E-22 - Need Advice

[westtx]

I'm new to this forum and wanted to introduce myself and ask for some advice. I just bought a 1999 E-22 (the one on boattrader in Lewisville, TX). It's a one-owner boat with 72 hours and ran great in a 45 minute lake test. I bought it from a consignment broker and maintenance records may not be available.

I work for Gulf States Toyota (a TMS distributor) and have two dealers that own Epics as well. Their techs are trained to service the boats and have scan tools available. My question to you experienced owners out there is where I should start with maintenance. Do I need to replace the impeller and other maintenance items, or can I just change the oil and go?

Thanks in advance for the help. If you're ever in West Texas, let me know and we'll try to find some water and go for a ride!

[sailtl]

Welcome aboard.
A new impeller is cheap insurance. I would change that for sure. Oil change and a good look over and you should be good to go.
Is you parts dept interested in quoting out prices and shipping to Ohio?

[westtx]

Thanks for the advice. I'll get an impeller headed this way. Any need to change the tranny fluid?

I need to find out if Toyota car dealers can order Toyota marine parts. I believe one of my dealers buys parts from Phil Dill. I'll check tomorrow and find out. If they can get them, They will be happy to ship them anywhere.

[Lakeside]

Welcome.  That's a great looking boat.  How about posting a few more photos when you have a moment.

[westtx]

Here are a few photos. We'll be on the water this weekend and I'll get a few more.

[westtx]

Here are some more -- sorry they're so big

[lesman01]

Can you say CLEAN. Wow, that's a nice one. Congrats.

[krejciman]

Welcome - Very nice boat!  I'm sure you will find that these boats are VERY LOW MAINT.  As you have probably experienced, they run silent and strong.

BTW - I work for TMS in NAPCC, I think you are the first GST/SET Epic owner!(that I know of)

[toyotafreak]

Welcome, WestTX. Thanks for the intro and the pics.

Two guys I recommend you talk with to see what you can do to help us (:-) are Greg Gaudin at Phil Dill and Capt. Rick on this site.

You know, I still think that the Epic Surf interiors are the cleanest looking of any boat. Look at that bow area pic - just friggin clean, no two ways about it.

Okay, as far as maintenance...when I picked up my boat (from Lewisville) I immediately tore the thing apart and changed impeller, oil and fuel filter and all fluids just to reset the baseline. Oh yeah, I also replaced the original battery with a Blue Top. Inspected the serpentine belt while it was off.

Our homebrew procedures can be found in the maintenance section of this site. Although it may be overkill since I average only 50 hours per year, I change the impeller and all fluids (engine, tranny, v-drive), oil filter and fuel/water separator every year. Fall would be the best time to do it, but I usually end up doing it in January. This year, it's looking like April (heck, that's only six months late.) Altogether it pushes $100 with premium fluids and an impeller.

Take some time and read through the posts - but don't be afraid to just spit out questions if you don't have time to search the archives.

[westtx]

Here's a final picture with the boat hooked up to my Tundra DCab. I appreciate all the advice. The boat is at the dealership and an impeller is on the way. I can't hear the bilge pump, so my guess is it will need to be replaced, but I did get the radio working. Thanks for the advice -- I'll post again after we get it on the lake this weekend.

[lesman01]

my bilge is only activated when there is enough water there. Plus, if the intake is clogged it will not come on no matter how much water is in there. I found that out the hard way. Get down in there and make sure nothing is cloggin it up. Mine had a bunch of gunk last season. On s22, it's actually under the forward most access panel, but think the dds have it aft. Pete?

From waht I read, it is suppose to be a 3 position button, On/Off/auto, but mine is either on or off, on being auto. It does come on when there's water in there, and i think it's on auto when the dash button light is on.

[Lakeside]

My bilge pump stopped working just before I had it winterized.  It's a direct drive.  Any ideas on where it's located and how to unclog it?  If it is dead, how much should it cost to get it replaced?

[cyclone]

Nice boat WestTX.

The impeller is a Johnson 812b, available at an MC or Supra dealer.

The bilge pump is under the big floor panel that holds the battery. Remove the battery and you can pull up the panel. It is a Rule 500 gph pump, commonly available. It clips into a holder that is screwed to the hull, so you can pop it loose easily. It is entirely possible that it was wired BACKWARDS from the factory, mine was. 12vdc should go to the brown wire when the button is pushed.

The correct Rule pump has an internal switch that senses water. It has three wires, only two need to be hooked up. I know there are pics somewhere on the maintenance page.

[eagle1wi]

Yes the bilge pump is commonly available, your local marine shop should carry them although it may be cheaper to buy it online.  Amazon, BassPro, Overtons all have them.  My local shop had it for around $50 so I bought it there.

Local shop advantages - I could take the old one and make sure it would mount up the same. I got it that day, installed it and went out for a ride. 

I have an E21 and mine uses all three wires because the toggle on the dash has an On/Off/Auto 3-way switch and I rewired to keep that functionality.  After reading these posts maybe I should rewire so the darn thing is always on "Auto" because it won't be drawing power if it isn't pumping water and I keep it on a covered lift 90% of the time anyway. 

Quick Story: One time I was towing without my cover and it started pouring rain.  I had the bilge switch to Auto.  Once I got into Milwaukee the traffic got snarled up and my bilge kicked in and it was basically pissing on the car to the right of us.  I think it suprised them more than anything. 

[cyclone]

I had the same thing happen, it was pure lakewater. It went right in the guys window! I try to remember to turn off the bilge pump on the way home now:)