Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
As a retired service manager of a long time Cobalt dealer hopefully I can bring some of my knowledge to the page and help some people with their Cobalts.
Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
Welcome to the forum. Can’t wait to hear your advice and comments.
2016 R7 VP 380
2014 220S Merc 5.0L (sold)
Columbus, OH
Chautauqua, NY
2014 220S Merc 5.0L (sold)
Columbus, OH
Chautauqua, NY
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Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
Thanks for joining the forum and offering your expertise. How long were you a service manager? I assume you were a marine technician before that?
So asking for a friend, how in the heck do you remove the bilge pump out from underneath a Merc 496? It seems damn near inaccessible by mere mortals.
So asking for a friend, how in the heck do you remove the bilge pump out from underneath a Merc 496? It seems damn near inaccessible by mere mortals.
2007 Cobalt 240 with Merc 496 MAG Bravo 3
1977 18’ Beachcraft with Ford 302 V8 OMC 190
Whiskey Slough Marina
Holt, CA
1977 18’ Beachcraft with Ford 302 V8 OMC 190
Whiskey Slough Marina
Holt, CA
Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
I think I’d rather remove the bilge pump, then do an impeller on a 496 Merc!
Depending on the year, the bilge pump was mounted to a small piece of plastic that was screwed to one of the runners. It was easiest just to remove the whole plastic piece,bilge pump and all
Depending on the year, the bilge pump was mounted to a small piece of plastic that was screwed to one of the runners. It was easiest just to remove the whole plastic piece,bilge pump and all
Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
I owned my own business and was doing a lot of work for the local Cobalt dealer through my business. The owner approached me, offered me the job running the service department. I believe that was my 2001 or early 2002. I left last fall to go back to work for myself, fabricating, building, tuning race cars.
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Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
Welcome. Looking forward to having you here.
2019 Cobalt R3 @ Greers Ferry Lake, AR
Home in Hernando, MS
Home in Hernando, MS
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Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
Very cool and welcome aboard!
As someone who tunes race cars, did you ever do any interesting tunes or performance upgrades to engines in a Cobalt? I'd be curious to hear about some of those.
As someone who tunes race cars, did you ever do any interesting tunes or performance upgrades to engines in a Cobalt? I'd be curious to hear about some of those.
2005 Cobalt 24SX 350Mag
2010 Key West 186 DC - retired
Lake Winnipesaukee
2010 Key West 186 DC - retired
Lake Winnipesaukee
Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
Unfortunately no. We were primarily a Volvo Penta dealer (around 95%of every Cobalt sold) and Volvo has their software locked down pretty tight. I know Merc has several tuning options but I never got a chance to get into any tuning on them.
Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
.Izzybo69 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 28, 2023 2:39 am I think I’d rather remove the bilge pump, then do an impeller on a 496 Merc!
Depending on the year, the bilge pump was mounted to a small piece of plastic that was screwed to one of the runners. It was easiest just to remove the whole plastic piece,bilge pump and all
So true Izzybo69.
Great to have you on the site.
Do you have a favorite Cobalt model?
And welcome aboard mate.
.
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2002 Cobalt 262
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
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Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
Welcome to the forum, Izzybo69
Sounds like you have a wealth of knowledge!
Sounds like you have a wealth of knowledge!
2016 A28
Wht/blk boot stripe/hardtop/430hp VP
2005 272 (sold)
Wht/yellow boot strip/496 HO Merc
Wht/blk boot stripe/hardtop/430hp VP
2005 272 (sold)
Wht/yellow boot strip/496 HO Merc
Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
AsLan7,
The early 2000s 262 it’s probably my favorite Cobalt ever made. I like the lower profile faster hull and the center walk through. That boat with a 525, or a 575 Merc with side exit exhaust. The 282’s were OK but my second favorite boat is probably a 296 with twins. And if we’re talking current models, then I love the layout of the A29. Just wish it would’ve been optioned with twins.
The early 2000s 262 it’s probably my favorite Cobalt ever made. I like the lower profile faster hull and the center walk through. That boat with a 525, or a 575 Merc with side exit exhaust. The 282’s were OK but my second favorite boat is probably a 296 with twins. And if we’re talking current models, then I love the layout of the A29. Just wish it would’ve been optioned with twins.
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Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
Rut row, changing the impeller was next on the to-do list. It looks like I’ll have to dismantle the rear seat in my 240 to gain access. Any tips or tricks to make the job go easier other than having a young skinny helper?Izzybo69 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 28, 2023 2:39 am I think I’d rather remove the bilge pump, then do an impeller on a 496 Merc!
Depending on the year, the bilge pump was mounted to a small piece of plastic that was screwed to one of the runners. It was easiest just to remove the whole plastic piece,bilge pump and all
I’ll have to take a closer look at the bilge pump and try to find where and how that plastic mount is attached.
Tuning and building race cars sounds like a lot of fun.
2007 Cobalt 240 with Merc 496 MAG Bravo 3
1977 18’ Beachcraft with Ford 302 V8 OMC 190
Whiskey Slough Marina
Holt, CA
1977 18’ Beachcraft with Ford 302 V8 OMC 190
Whiskey Slough Marina
Holt, CA
Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
The best advice I can give you is to remove the pump and the bracket that holds the pump to the engine all in one assembly. Do not try to just remove the pump from the bracket assembly. Not only is it much more difficult, but getting it back in and in position is next to impossible.
These pictures may not be exactly like your set up, but they should be close. You should get the idea.
Other than that, if you’ve got any missing pieces of your old impeller, be sure and flush all the hoses and back flush everything you can and try to locate them. You may already know that, but a lot of people do not.
These pictures may not be exactly like your set up, but they should be close. You should get the idea.
Other than that, if you’ve got any missing pieces of your old impeller, be sure and flush all the hoses and back flush everything you can and try to locate them. You may already know that, but a lot of people do not.
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Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
.Izzybo69 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 28, 2023 12:47 pm AsLan7,
The early 2000s 262 it’s probably my favorite Cobalt ever made. I like the lower profile faster hull and the center walk through. That boat with a 525, or a 575 Merc with side exit exhaust. The 282’s were OK but my second favorite boat is probably a 296 with twins. And if we’re talking current models, then I love the layout of the A29. Just wish it would’ve been optioned with twins.
Man you and I are kindred spirits. We do have one member here who just joined with the 262 that has the 525 blue series engine. I almost purchased that many years ago but wanted the Bravo 3X drive for hole shot vs the Bravo 1.
I'm also a big fan of center transom walk throughs. The boat is so well balanced when loaded up.
Yes the A29 would be a huge hit if it had twins.
What about the 343? That's my fave.
Thanks for the reply.
2002 Cobalt 262
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
Re: Retired Service Manager for a large Cobalt Dealer
The 343 electrical system has a lot of issues. Whoever engineered the battery/12 V system in that boat needs a new profession. If you totally rework the batteries, battery switch, etc. then I don’t really have any complaints about the boat. I have never been a huge fan of their bigger boats.
I’ve dealt with a couple of A40’s and they are nice Boats. The 302 is probably the biggest boat in the Cobalt lineup that I was it big fan of.
Hopefully I don’t get shot for this or kicked off the page, but when you start getting into the 40’ and up boats, SeaRay has pretty much dominated that market around this area for as long as I’ve been around about business.
I’ve dealt with a couple of A40’s and they are nice Boats. The 302 is probably the biggest boat in the Cobalt lineup that I was it big fan of.
Hopefully I don’t get shot for this or kicked off the page, but when you start getting into the 40’ and up boats, SeaRay has pretty much dominated that market around this area for as long as I’ve been around about business.
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