08' 250 xs seal problem

[speedy280]

I have a 08' 250xs warranty expired Nov. 2010 Motors been great up until the past couple of months. Within the past two months a Mercury machanic has changed the prop shaft seal twice, shift shaft seal twice and the water pump twice all at different intervals. They charged me once for each change thinking they might have missed something each time. They finally took it to the lake and ran it and said I had the motor set to high (1"1/4 above pad) and it was causing to much stress on the drive shaft, so they lowered the motor two clicks. I bought the motor new and it was set up by paul nickouls. Its on a 21xrd bullet with a 26 pitch TXP four blade prop. Motor has 132 hours on it and the problems started around 125 hours or so. I have'nt run it since it was last fixed but I know it's got to affect the preformance of the boat. Any help on what might be going on would be greatly appreciated.

[Leebob]

Im pretty sure 1-1/4 above is to high and I guess could have caused your problems, just wonder why all of a sudden. I think most run around 1" below. How did your boat run that high?

[Tim Powell]

THE ONLY way it was 1.25" ABOVE the Pad is either a coned torquemaster or a Sportmaster.....OR the Shop DOES NOT know how to measure!!!

Paul recommends the Torquemaster on the 21/250 combo. I bought my new 21/250 from Paul and he set it up as well...its 1" Below the pad with a 27 TXP..

IMO if its 1.25" above and NOT a Sporty or a coned TM it will not have any water pressure. The Stock TM is good to about 1/4" above and then it drops below 12psi. Also at 1.25" Above the 26 TXP would be all over the limiter....i would think so as well at 1" below if it has 1.75 gears

[EuropeanAM]

I agree that if a Torquemaster is utilized at as high a height as was "alleged"- there's going to be a MYRIAD of problems (and seal damage is certainly one of the many possibilities).

I REALLY doubt that "Paul" would have set one up that high. Something isn't right there......

However- there are also OTHER possibilities, which can include:

-Improper seal installation (incorrect or non-existent tools to properly install)
-Inner propshaft seal damaged during assembly (COMMON)
-GEARCASE OVERFILLED WITH LUBE *
-Shafts grooved or damaged at seal mating surfaces

Note: When (precisely) did this seal problem BEGIN? This is a very important question.... would also be helpful to have your EXACT engine serial number.

[speedy280]

I will double check with paul on height. Once he set it I never touched it. Paul got gps 87 with no tackle and half tank of fuel. I run a solid 80 to 81 two people full load full fuel. Water pressure is fine 22psi at 80. The top four holes on water intake are pluged. No doubt paul had the boat set up right. And yes it is a TM lower with 162 gear. This all started happening (around 125 hours and has 132 hours now) within the past two months and has been a ongoing problem. Thanks for your input!

[speedy280]

serial no. 1e050112. Pro shaft was found to be within a 100th and they told me mercury's allowance is within a 300th with no damage to shaft. Im not a machanic so I hope the verbage is right. And yes paul's warned me about over filling lower unit oil which I've never done myself always authorized mercury tech so this could be a possiblity...but you'd think they'd know?

[EuropeanAM]

Rick:

The measurements you have relate to the STRAIGHTNESS of the shaft (and say nothing about the integrity of the seals, or the sealing area of the shaft).

I'd certainly be looking VERY carefully at shafts/shaft wear as a potential cause (wish your gearcase was here.... you'd probably be talking about what fish you were catching).

[speedy280]

Thanks Don for the advice. Im going to run it Friday, tournment on sat. so will see. May be seeing you first of the week k-towns only a hope skip and jump from Greenville.

[EuropeanAM]