Locked her up! 300XS

[RustyJ671]

Well, I made it 18 hours before she locked up. Air temps around 33-34, water temps about 44-45 so I idled about 200 yards before getting on plane. I got about 1/2 mile further when it acted like it was losing power. It actually acted liked I was dragging a log or something so I came off of plane and when I did, it died. It wouldn't restart and acted like a fuel problem so I made sure the bulb was tight. It still wouldn't start so I turned around and started trolling back to the ramp. I went ahead and fished for about an hour. Once I got the boat back on the trailer, I hit the starter and she fired right up for about 3 seconds, then died again. I didn't hear any unusual sounds other than a definite miss. Once I got the boat in my shop, I wanted to see if it would start again. This time, it wouldn't even turn over. I pulled the cowl, the cover underneath and the compressor belt. Still wouldn't turn over with the starter or by hand. I didn't put a wrench on it, since I didn't want to break anything further. For some reason, I thought I'd look down the intake. There were two chunks of metal and a piece of plastic. At that point, I put everything back like it was. I guess I'll be calling Mercury tomorrow to verify my warranty and locating the best Merc Man in my area. Any advice for Northwest Lousiana?

[bloodman]

Sorry to hear this. Good luck to you and hope it works out.

[MuleCat]

That's gotta suck!! Hope it works out for you. Mine ate a piston, switching to a big black motor.

[Camaroboy]

Mine did something similar to that and it turned out to be a broken wrist pin so i got me a new powerhead. Best of luck guess it could have been summer when it went.

[esdbass]

What was your engine temp before you put it on plane?

Sorry to hear the "piece of plastic" was it yellow in color by any chance?

[Largemouthlou]

Sorry too hear that Rusty!!! Mec should have ya back up an running soon!! Be sure and find a reputable dealer though..

[EuropeanAM]

Rusty:

You got a Smartcraft Instrument on that rig???? If so, what temp did the engine come up to before you headed out?

I've got a "gut feeling" that if you were to pull the thermostats.... you might just find the "culprit".

Hopefully, you'll be up and running soon. As far as locating a reputable dealer, I'd try the Dealer Search at: http://www.mercurymarine.com

Use the "Service- Outboards- Premier Service" choices for best results.

Let me know if you need anything....

[Steve Stroman]

I am a Certified Mercury Technician at R&R Marine in Pittsburg Texas. We are about 2 hours from Shreveport. Give us a call we can fix you up.

(903)855-8585 ask for Don

[RustyJ671]

Thanks Don and Don---LOL

My fishing partner took it to Tracker Marine in Bossier City for me this morning since I had to go out of town today. I called them this afternoon and was told that it was already in the shop and they were on it. Hopefully I won't be down very long. The first of the "boat show" tournaments is this weekend.

Oh---the plastic part appeared to be part of a reed or reed cage. I went through the yellow cap ordeal with my 250 Pro XS. Do a search for "my little yellow friend".

[RustyJ671]

Stopped by Bass Pro today to check on it. I was told that the new powerhead is on the way. He also told me that there were bearings all over the place inside it. I didn't have time to really get into it, but when I go back, I'm going to take a look inside it and see for myself.

[FALLSMARINE]

did you geter back?

[drgrammer]

Did they say it was Cold Stick that casued your failure? That happened to me last year. It broke a #2 cylinder wrist pin and punched the rod through the block.