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I'm looking at 2001 262 with a Bravo 3 8.1 setup. Every forum I've read says to go with a volvo outdrive/engine setup. Can anyone hear speak to the reliability of the Bravo 3? Is it really worth it to go with Volvo? Really looking for fact based evidence here and help is appreciated. About 400 hours on the bravo 3 in question.

My B3 has almost 500 hours on it and it's rock solid. I've run nothing but Mercs and never had an issue with one provided you do proper maintenance. I wouldn't let a B3 dictate whether you buy the boat.

Bravos have a great reliability as long as no metallic or fine clutch material in fluid is found. ( as with any outdrives).
They have a nice fluid resivour to monitor levels before ever outing .
Cobalt favoring Volvo engines and drives has become more common so that is the majority.
The cone clutch is part of the gear so it’s life expectancies are in relation to how she was used.
As long as there’s no delays in the command of a gear ( should be a sudden engagement). You’ll be fine.

Cone clutch wear at 500 plus hours with a big block becomes a maintenance item.

You can never go wrong with a Bravo 3, so good luck and congratulations going forward!

Matt wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2019 7:36 am I'm looking at 2001 262 with a Bravo 3 8.1 setup. Every forum I've read says to go with a volvo outdrive/engine setup. Can anyone hear speak to the reliability of the Bravo 3? Is it really worth it to go with Volvo? Really looking for fact based evidence here and help is appreciated. About 400 hours on the bravo 3 in question.

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Hey matt, welcome to the Cobalt chat forum. So glad you found us!

+1 on the above posts. I’ve owned both a Merc and a Volvo powered 260 series. Volvo Penta invented the duo prop. Tremendous piece of machinery. With that being said, I think the Merc shifts a little smoother and quieter. Each one powered by a big block.
Both are very reliable.

You really can’t go wrong with either.

Again, welcome aboard mate!

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Once you go black you never go back.
Is a great drive. Having a Volvo I miss a few features though. A drive shower will help longevity of it though. Helps it run cooler and added bonus keeps it clean.
But it.

Hi,

Does anyone make a drive shower for the Volvo Penta DPS-A drives?

Thanks in advance,
G

Photo_G wrote: Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:23 am Hi,

Does anyone make a drive shower for the Volvo Penta DPS-A drives?

Thanks in advance,
G

No. They don't seem to need them. I would buy one though if they did.

Big Block Power wrote: Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:29 am

Photo_G wrote: Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:23 am Hi,

Does anyone make a drive shower for the Volvo Penta DPS-A drives?

Thanks in advance,
G

No. They don't seem to need them. I would buy one though if they did.

Add captains call exhaust.. 2 birds.. 1 stone. ( and this is on coffee I do this)

cmattj wrote: Sun Apr 14, 2019 10:25 am

Big Block Power wrote: Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:29 am

Photo_G wrote: Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:23 am Hi,

Does anyone make a drive shower for the Volvo Penta DPS-A drives?

Thanks in advance,
G

No. They don't seem to need them. I would buy one though if they did.

Add captains call exhaust.. 2 birds.. 1 stone. ( and this is on coffee I do this)

Oh my. Your poor wife

Big Block Power wrote: Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:29 am

Photo_G wrote: Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:23 am Hi,

Does anyone make a drive shower for the Volvo Penta DPS-A drives?

Thanks in advance,
G

No. They don't seem to need them. I would buy one though if they did.

Thanks BB!

G

Re drive shower, I went with the Simrek. Easy to install and puts the water where it's needed. I had my drive lube boil out the resivoir with a wide open run on a hot lake. It hasn't happened since the drive shower. Search on YouTube... one good video out there.
Chris