[JonesE]

I purchased a 1998 4000 Express and took possession last Monday in Freeport NY. Had the yard change oil and filters on both engines and generator and new raw water impellers for all. Ran the boat mount 160 Miles up into the Delaware Bay with the intention of getting to Annapolis to haul it and set it on a trailer to Nashville, TN. About 20 miles up the bay, started smelling rubber and opened the engine hatch and thick black rubber smelling smoke pours out. We wereand able to isolate the problem to the port engine which had been quickly  throttled back to idle. Ran the starboard at about 1600rpms and within an hour, smoke from the starboard. Limped into Hancock Harbor up the Cohansey River where they were able to pull and block the boat on a Saturday afternoon. Very impressed with the people and their helpfulness at Hancock.
3208 Cats with ZF V-drives and my understanding is a rubber damper lives between the engine and transmission and these have fallen apart. The engines have about 1600 hours and overall the boat performed well up to that point. During the trip we ran 100 miles the first day at 2200 rpms. The 2nd day went 44 miles at 1500 rpms and the last day were running at 1700 rpms when the rubber smell first started.
I would welcome any guidance on a company or individual who could perform what I'm sure is a major repair to split the Trans/V-drive from the engine to change out the defective rubber damper. I can leave the boat at Hancock if there is anyone in the New Jersey or Delaware area. My plan is to truck it to Nashville the week of 8-25. Finding someone to come to either location (Greenwich, NJ or Nashville) is my quest. If there's a point between Greenwich and Nashville the boat could be dropped, that could work too. Anyone who can point me in the right direction here would be my friend forever!
Ernie Jones
615-973-5463

[dplunske@cwpm.net]

I'll had the same failure on 94 4000 express. Was not as bad as it seemed. Vulcan was the manufacturer, out of Florida

[JonesE]

I'll had the same failure on 94 4000 express. Was not as bad as it seemed. Vulcan was the manufacturer, out of Florida

Was your repair made in Florida? Could you share the name of the facility that completed the work?

[dplunske@cwpm.net]

The repair was done in ct. The boat has to be out of the water to slide the shaft back. Then the transmission is unbolted from the engine. The engine is blocked and the transmission is slide back on stringers. There is Then enough room to remove the coupling.

[JonesE]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost to repair both engines?
I'm shopping in the Baltimore harbor area right now for a yard that can do this work.

[dplunske@cwpm.net]

Only did port side that failed. Cost was around 8,500

[JonesE]

Thanks for the info!