Vapor Lock - Malibu Boats Wakesetter 20VTX 2019 Owner's Manual

If your dealer is not conveniently close by, instructions for oil and filter
change procedures has been provided for oil changes AFTER the break-
in, 10-hour oil change. After the break-in period, follow the instructions
presented in the Care and Maintenance section of this Owner's Manual.
Malibu dealer may result in the voiding of the engine
portion of the warranty if it is determined that engine
issues could have been analyzed and/or prevented
through the dealer's inspection at that time.

Vapor Lock

Vapor lock seldom occurs. It can happen, most likely as a result
of excessive ambient temperatures in the engine compartment
following a fairly lengthy period of idling the engine, idling following a
high-speed run, or increased temperatures when a hot engine is shut
off and the flow of cooling water ceases too soon.
Malibu engines are equipped with an anti-vapor lock valve that
separates the vapor from the fuel in the system while the engine is
running. The vapor is routed back into the fuel tank while the fuel
continues in its high-pressure line to the engine. In most instances,
this activity eliminates the situation in which vapor lock can happen.
However, when operating the boat in excessively warm weather
or with some gasoline blends/formulae, vapor lock could still occur. If
it does, try the following steps:
1. Run the bilge blower as you would prior to starting the engine, for
a minimum of four (4) minutes, prior to trying to start the engine.
2. Make sure the engine hatch is opened to introduce more ambient
air into the engine compartment as a supplement to the system.
moving parts could catch clothing or body parts, which
could result in serious injury or death.
If the vapor lock persists, seek assistance from your authorized
Malibu dealer.
Transmissions & V-Drives
Transmissions
Malibu Monsoon Engines are equipped with Velvet Drive
transmissions. The internal gearing is an integral part of the boat's
2019 Malibu Boats, LLC Owner's Manual • Page 110
Failure to have the initial,
10-hour oil change
performed by an authorized
When the engine
compartment is open,
take extra care around the
compartment. Rotating and
https://www.boat-manuals.com/
propulsion, but also what allows a measure of control when docking and
loading on a trailer. Inside the housing is a series of gears controlled by
the shifter/throttle arm on the side panel at the driver's helm. The shifter
allows the boat to move forward, backward or remain fairly stationary.
(Bear in mind that boats are not equipped with brakes nor is there a way
in which boats can remain stationary in the fluidity of a body of water.
Neutral stops propulsion, but not movement. See the Get Ready section
of this Owner's Manual for more information regarding this topic.)
In Wakesetter models and the M235 the transmission is attached to
the back of the engine, but it will be in the boat forward of the engine's
orientation because in these types of boats the engine is turned around
from direct drive boats and most land-based forms of transportation. The
TXi is a direct drive boat, and the engine/transmission unit face forward,
so the transmission will be aft of the engine block.
Transmissions come in different gear ratios. Malibu chose the
best ratio for the size and weight of the boat, expected boat gear and
passengers, engine size and expected boating use (skiing versus
wakeboarding, etc.). The Response and TXi features a 1:1 gear ratio.
The remaining Malibu models will range from 1.5:1 to 1.76:1 to 2.0:1.
Transmissions normally require very little maintenance as long as the
drivetrain is operated in a sensible manner. Slamming the shifter into a gear
or being too timid in moving it can damage the system. As noted in the How
It Works section of this Owner's Manual, a brisk, confident movement is
suggested. Getting up to plane as quickly as reasonable and returning the
shifter/throttle to an appropriate speed for the body of water is best.
After the first 10 hours of operation, as part of the authorized Malibu
dealer's review during the oil change will be a check of the transmission.
How to do the required check of the fluid is explained in Care and
Maintenance in this Owner's Manual.
V-Drives
Unlike land-based vehicles, boats can operate with the engine
in a 180-degree orientation from how it would normally set in the
vehicle. In the Malibu-type boat, this has been adapted into a
superior form of propulsion, but it requires a V-drive, which is a
system for boats that consists of two drive shafts, a gearbox, and the
propeller.
The first drive shaft connects the rear of the transmission to a
gearbox mounted in the center of the boat. The second drive shaft
extends from the gearbox to the rear and out the bottom of the boat
to where the propeller is mounted. (The propeller's functionality is
described in How It Works in this Owner's Manual, as part of the
underwater gear.)
As with the transmission, the V-drive assembly is very durable
and requires little routine attention. Your authorized Malibu dealer
will check it during the 10-hour oil change. Afterwards, it will require
a periodic check, which is described in the Care and Maintenance
section of this Owner's Manual.