Update on my motor gone

[Stratos282]

Well it's down again. I have 0 compression on cylinders 1 and 3. That is what left me stranded last sunday. The lower unit has all kinds of metal shavings in it and makes a clunking sound when it shifts while getting on pad.

In the past 2 years I have rebuilt the powerhead, replaced AND rebuilt the lower unit, and put over $1100.00 in various repairs to keep this thing running. Im looking at the 175 HP e-tec now but @ $13,000, i'll be down for a long, long, time.

It just keeps getting better, and better!!!

[1SLOWTE]

Jason.....who did the powerhead rebuild and the lower unit rebuild? I am located in Jax, only reason I ask. Are they a current E-Tec dealer? Will they work with you on a deal after all the trouble you have been through? Hopefully you can get it worked out soon and back on the water.

1SLOWTE

[Stratos282]

It'a a long and drawn out story. My mechanic wanted to put on a new powerhead and looking back was really the way to go. I had just gotten the boat and did not have $5k to put into it so I found a company in Tampa to rebuild it for half the cost. It's past the year warranty and not sure I want to do business with them again. They are also the company that rebuilt the gearcase. My mechanic here in town is Jeff's Outboard and is a great guy. Just like he told me all along ... You can pay now or you will pay twice later. He was right!

[stratos22ssextreme]

Jason I can say I feel yo' pain brother, my motor broke but never stopped runnin' and i'm having to save up to fix it. Fred's gonna take time and build it right. just fishin' out of loaner for now. Good luck on your motor decision.

[luvdmymerc]

Hey Stratos282,

I'd say its time to take matters into your own hands. If the motor is toast now, you can't
hurt it, right? Tear it down yourself, all the way to the main bearings on the crank. Take
the block in to a reputable marine machine shop and have the cylinders bored or honed.
Then, mic all the parts and replace as needed. Get you a good OMC repair manual and
rebuild that puppy yourself. You'll save $1,000's and have a blast doing it. Then exper-
ience the thrill of crankin' it up for the first time after YOU rebuit it!!!!

[Stratos282]

I have thought about this and figure what do I have to lose. I can do some minor repairs but I think I will leave this up to the pro's. I was not the kid that tore down the lawn mower motor and put it back together for fun... . Again, I have thought about it but while having a family and holding down 2 jobs ... I don't see it happening. Oh .. and the two jobs was to keep my boat running ...

[luvdmymerc]

It is a lot of real tedious work no doubt. When I got mine done, then I understood why
our most reputable marine dealership wanted $5,000 to do it. The $3,800 I saved made
it worth the effort for me, but I hear where you're comin' from. I had never had a 150hp
outboard torn down to the crank before either. It was pretty scary. Just took my time &
did it by the book. Took it out for its 40th trip since the rebuild last Thursday. Started on
the 2nd crank and ran awesome all day. Just tryin' to share the thrill!!!

[Jpadge]

Sorry to here about your situation! Where in Tampa, just so I know never to do business or at least beware if I do!!