New sea doo utopia 185 owner w. Basic maintenance questions

[kwalsh24]

Hey all, picked up a 01 utopia 185 a few weeks ago. The boat seems to be decently taken care of but being the person I am I'd like to go over a couple areas prior to dropping it in the water in a couple weeks, then I'll go over other areas over the winter...

The two things I'm looking at is the fuel system, mainly the water separator filter and the fuel filter. I can't seem to find the part number for the separator filter, I can't make it out on the filter as it's spun on where the numbers are facing the engine ... I'm wanting to change it as it looks a bit dated...

Second are the anti corrosion anodes. Mine appear to be next to non existent and I'm not even sure where they're to be or what kit it is I need to order for this particular setup.... I know I require fresh water magnesium...

Also, is there more to the Bimini top? Mine only covers the captains seats... Appears to be a zipper for expansion?
Next thing I'll be researching is winterizing but thats a couple months away.

Thanks! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ripcuda]

Howdy. What engine do you have in your Utopia? Is it the 210 carbed or 200 optimax?

Cheers!

 

[kwalsh24]

It's the 200 optimax, as it has the big plastic engine cover that I removed when going over the basics on it. Which exposed a bit of carbon build up on the intake, and what appeared to be on the engine cover itself.

I'm also a little confused over the oil to run. The previous owner was using QuickSilver Premium Plus but I've been reading that mercury now recommends using the DFI oil over it in the opti? Did I read that right?

 

[cymertony]

For oil, I'm using the premium plus since that's what the manual says.

Here are the part numbers for the fuel filter (before the lift pump) and the water separating filter:

Water Separating Fuel Filter Kit, 35-18458Q4
Filter-Fuel Pump 35-884743

The sacrificial anodes are shown in the parts breakout for the nozzle/rudder assembly. Two small ones are the same (97-8205031) and there is one big one (97-856581C).

It's hard to tell about the Bimini top from your picture. Mine is in perfect condition material-wise, I'm sure being stored under the sundeck/engine cover helps keep it nice. The zippers allow it to tie into front and rear weather protection (so I've heard) but I use the zippers to close up the Bimini good and tight before storing it away. I've attached a pic of my Utopia... don't mind my 14yo.

I can take better pics of the Bimini and anodes tomorrow if you'd like.

Tony
San Diego, CA
2001 Utopia 185 200 Opti

 

[kwalsh24]

Thanks for the reply! Very informative! Okay so I'll stick with the same oil as previously used. The Bimini top looks the same and is in good condition on my end ...

My anodes are non existent I think, I'll have to take a look at what the parts look like vs what I have lol.

 

[cymertony]

I've attached a pic showing the general nozzle area with the anodes circled... 2 small button anodes circled in yellow, and the larger one circled in red. I engaged the throttle to get the reverse bucket out of the way and trimmed down.

Welcome to the Utopia family. I am new as well... I bought mine in May and just got out on the water in July (had to get caught up up on engine and trailer service before using), but we've been out every weekend for the last 5 weeks. Learning fast... first time boater, other than a PWC (do submarines count?).

Enjoy!
Tony

 

[pacecorp]

For oil, I'm using the premium plus since that's what the manual says.

Here are the part numbers for the fuel filter (before the lift pump) and the water separating filter:

Water Separating Fuel Filter Kit, 35-18458Q4
Filter-Fuel Pump 35-884743

The sacrificial anodes are shown in the parts breakout for the nozzle/rudder assembly. Two small ones are the same (97-8205031) and there is one big one (97-856581C).

It's hard to tell about the Bimini top from your picture. Mine is in perfect condition material-wise, I'm sure being stored under the sundeck/engine cover helps keep it nice. The zippers allow it to tie into front and rear weather protection (so I've heard) but I use the zippers to close up the Bimini good and tight before storing it away. I've attached a pic of my Utopia... don't mind my 14yo.

I can take better pics of the Bimini and anodes tomorrow if you'd like.

Tony
San Diego, CA
2001 Utopia 185 200 OptiView attachment 56298

Nice! I like the flooring. I'm thinking of getting the same colour. Do you have anymore pics? I have the exact same boat. My only complaint is that it's difficult to drive at low speed.

 

[kwalsh24]

I've attached a pic showing the general nozzle area with the anodes circled... 2 small button anodes circled in yellow, and the larger one circled in red. I engaged the throttle to get the reverse bucket out of the way and trimmed down.

Welcome to the Utopia family. I am new as well... I bought mine in May and just got out on the water in July (had to get caught up up on engine and trailer service before using), but we've been out every weekend for the last 5 weeks. Learning fast... first time boater, other than a PWC (do submarines count?).

Enjoy!
Tony

Awesome thanks so much Tony! Been crazy helpful so far! I'm having a hard time finding magnesium anodes so I may take a measurement of the area and fine some that will fit & just make sure to clean the surface they'll touch.

Any idea on the oil filters? Guessing they'll be inline from the tank?

I've only had the boat for a couple weekends now and with working on those weekend's it's left me to do a lot of online research lol.

I've ordered the water\fuel separator. Just haven't had much luck locating the inline fuel filter without there being crazy shipping fees. Curious if I could somehow convert to a more generic inline filter vs the one side threaded the other being clamped...

My boat needs a bit of cosmetic seat work as theyre starting to show their age. Other than that the boat was a strong runner in the water. I may also do the jbweld trick on the wear sleeve over the winter

 

[cymertony]

Nice! I like the flooring. I'm thinking of getting the same colour. Do you have anymore pics? I have the exact same boat. My only complaint is that it's difficult to drive at low speed.

Thanks, we love it... made a huge difference!! We got the 2 tone wide groove, brown on camel.

At first, I had trouble with slow speed maneuvering.. but now I am getting used to it. I've learned to use the throttle assist that revs the engine a bit when the wheel goes all the way to one side, although mine only works when going left.

I need to get a new pic but have attached one that I took before doing the last few small pieces of hydro turf.

Tony

 

[cymertony]

Awesome thanks so much Tony! Been crazy helpful so far! I'm having a hard time finding magnesium anodes so I may take a measurement of the area and fine some that will fit & just make sure to clean the surface they'll touch.

Any idea on the oil filters? Guessing they'll be inline from the tank?

I've only had the boat for a couple weekends now and with working on those weekend's it's left me to do a lot of online research lol.

I've ordered the water\fuel separator. Just haven't had much luck locating the inline fuel filter without there being crazy shipping fees. Curious if I could somehow convert to a more generic inline filter vs the one side threaded the other being clamped...

My boat needs a bit of cosmetic seat work as theyre starting to show their age. Other than that the boat was a strong runner in the water. I may also do the jbweld trick on the wear sleeve over the winter

I use Crowley Marine to look for parts since they have $5 flat rate shipping, and looks like they have the anodes, oil inline filter, and the fuel inline filter available. I haven't ordered from them yet as my initial service was done by a local mercury certified mechanic, and I had them change everything. I was glad I did as they found that I had a tear in my tracker valve (there was fuel in the air side). Although I want to do my own maintenance, I wanted the initial service done by a pro, and I wanted to make sure to get a compression check, have the plugs changed for me (the engine still had the original plugs), and tell me how many hours were on the engine...

I haven't put eyes on the oil filter but from the manual it looks like it is between the remote oil tank and the oil reservoir... look below the reservoir at the line coming in from the remote tank. In the attached pic of my engine taken awhile back, I've circled where I think it is... I can get a better pic in the morning.

We had the two bench cushions and 2 bow cushions re-covered as well as the center panel on the sundeck. During the off season, I'll be pulling the jet pump apart and will either send it off to get reworked or will do the jb weld thing as well... depending on what I find. But I think probably the whole thing will need to go to Impros... the stator is not in great shape.

Very happy with our Utopia so far, but I'm lucky to have a great mechanic available nearby if I need them. Luckily the engine is in great shape (once I got the diaphragms changed out in the fuel regulator, air regulator, and tracker valve lol - $$$ B.O.A.T.)

Good luck!
Tony

 

[kwalsh24]

Thanks for the reply!

I was browsing on Crowley for the parts, just the listing for the anodes don't state what style they are. I may have to look into seeing if I can use a 3rd party for the small magnesium anodes and go with the OEM large anode. Least then I'll have some coverage for the fresh water climate

 

[cymertony]

Looking at partsvu.com, it seems both anodes are aluminum, which would be fine for both freshwater and saltwater use. In general, I think manufacturers spec aluminum anodes for this reason. I'm assuming you may be concerned about protecting aluminum with aluminum (alloy)? Or just having maximum protection, since Mg is more electro-negative?

As long as you found Mg anodes that fit the mounting points, then I think you would be okay... they just have to be in good electrical contact. The large anode could be replaced by two Mg anodes, so the custom shape shouldn't be an issue. Just keep any eye on them, as they wear faster than aluminum anodes... and don't go in saltwater, lol. Not sure that sizing would be an issue... but I'm not familiar with the science from an overprotection perspective. I just blindly go with whatever Mercury tells me to do.

I do think that I need to give my anodes a scrub... they look a little bit fouled.

Interested in this discussion for sure.. thanks!
Tony

 

[kwalsh24]

Correct, im wanting the best protection for fresh water as it won't be in anything else. I did order the anodes from Crowley, the small ones anyways, I may look into converting the larger over to magnesium, unless the design serves a purpose (which it may with the reverse engagement) the boat does have some aluminum corrosion over the years, I plan to tidy that up in the off season... However want to protect in the future.

I didn't realize Crowley had a $10 flat rate even to Canada, most end up charging crazy amounts to ship here. So I ordered the fuel filter and small anodes, I found the separator on Amazon with the sensor for about the same price as Crowley had it listed as.

 

[kwalsh24]

Could I make another small request? Are your switches at the captains seats legible? Mine have all worn off and I don't think the manual actually gives a direct photo from left to right as to what each does, just a blown up photo and a description... If anyone could forward that on that be great as I'd like to make some new labels for mine

 

[cymertony]

I can take a picture after my super-important online meeting (that I would never read forums during, of course).... but I do have the shop manual handy and found an image there.

Order from left to right:

1. Courtesy lights
2. Navigation lights/ Anchor Lights (3-way switch)
3. Bilge pump (to run manually)
4. Blower
5. Horn

Best Regards,
Tony

 

[kwalsh24]

Thanks so much!

 

[kwalsh24]

So had my boat out for the first time a couple weeks back, ran great for 20min then died. Just getting to it this weekend after getting a new battery to see what the issue is and it's a fuel pickup issue, appears to be a blockage coming from the tank perhaps ....

However, I was digging around the oil lines and seen this.... See below, is there to be something hooked up to this? I'm not seeing any lines off anywhere?

 

[ripcuda]

No, nothing connects to that brass nipple-looking part.

Here's another pic.


Cheers!

 

[kwalsh24]

Okay perfect thanks