I have been thrown in the "need a motor" market. I found a xb which I think I would like to have. 159 hrs 2003 to put on my Bass Cat. The cavitation plate has a piece out of it on the port side. The missing part is oval shaped , about 2 in long, about a 1 in. deep. with a crack about 2 in. behind it. It's towards the front of the plate. The motor has been run since but not sure how much. Will this cause handleing problems or somthing.
Roger Ross
Piedmont Mo
The XB's are very durable, extremely powerful engines (as originally built).
As with anything used, I'd highly recommend that you have it checked, including a compression test.
In this case, I'd also recommend a gearcase "pressure test", and tests to confirm that the propshaft is not bent.
The anti-ventilation plate may be repairable... in most applications it is at (or above) the water's surface while running at WOT. I would, however, recommend that you keep in mind that this gearcase has OBVIOUSLY undergone a collision of some sort....
Dual Mercury Master Technician- for Mercury Outboards, Mercruiser and Mercury Racing at European Marine in Greenville, SC.
Still consider myself a "Marine Apprentice" after 48 years (learn something new every day).
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They are going to do a compression test, it's at a dealer. It's been setting for the most part of a year. I think I would like to send the injectors off to be cleaned and flowed as well. Is a pressure test on LU somthing the dealer should be able to do or might need to be sent off? Asking 6500, it's just the LU concerns me.
Roger Ross
Piedmont Mo
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MuleCat »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The cavitation plate has a piece out of it on the port side. The missing part is oval shaped , about 2 in long, about a 1 in. deep. with a crack about 2 in. behind it. It's towards the front of the plate. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I had the same thing on my 225 PM. Had a blade come off and hit the cavitation plate then bounce back into the prop and hit the cavitation plate a second time. I had what looked like a mouse bit about the size you discribed and then a crack about 6 inches from the mouse bit.
I ran the lower unit that way for 2 years with no issues. It did not crack any more and did not effect performance.
I took it to my local dealer and had it fixed for about $350 just before I sold it.
For my the cavitation plate issues would not stop me from buying the engine.
A pressure test is something that ANY dealer should be able to accomplish.
Dual Mercury Master Technician- for Mercury Outboards, Mercruiser and Mercury Racing at European Marine in Greenville, SC.
Still consider myself a "Marine Apprentice" after 48 years (learn something new every day).
Mercury Parts, Mercury Outboards, Smartcraft & Accessories, Injector Service, TDR Reeds- BBC Sponsor
Hi Roger. You might want to have the dealer run a leak down test on the motor in addition to a compression test. They can easily also tell you how many hours have been run in the RPM ranges of 0-1000,1001-2000,2001-3000,etc. Not expensive to test, but might tell you a little bit of how hard that motor has lived in the past. JMHO though. Good luck with your motor. I own one also and have enjoyed every minute of it.
My mouse bite is farther forward , closer to the housing. Just the reverse of yours, w/ the crack towards the back. I'm told the warranty leaves with the motor. The motor does'nt bother me so bad as the LU. But with the time of year and not planning on $$ for a motor not just sure where I'll end up yet,
Roger Ross
Piedmont Mo
If it were me and I could wait a little, I would start searching for a 250 XS. Something in a 2005 (which take premimum gas) or a 2007 (which takes regular).
The difference between the XB and the XS, the XS gas milage is amazing.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fastglass1 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The difference between the XB and the XS, the XS gas milage is amazing.
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And for the most part, 2007-> production year are "essentially identical".
Dual Mercury Master Technician- for Mercury Outboards, Mercruiser and Mercury Racing at European Marine in Greenville, SC.
Still consider myself a "Marine Apprentice" after 48 years (learn something new every day).
Mercury Parts, Mercury Outboards, Smartcraft & Accessories, Injector Service, TDR Reeds- BBC Sponsor
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EuropeanAM »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
And for the most part, 2007-> production year are "essentially identical".
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I have heard but can not confirm that the 2007 was a bit stronger than any of the year after 2005. Have you seen this Don?
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fastglass1 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I have heard but can not confirm that the 2007 was a bit stronger than any of the year after 2005. Have you seen this Don?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
No, I haven't. However, with the "10% HP Allowance rule".... you will occassionally see an engine that's just "unexplicably stronger".
Dual Mercury Master Technician- for Mercury Outboards, Mercruiser and Mercury Racing at European Marine in Greenville, SC.
Still consider myself a "Marine Apprentice" after 48 years (learn something new every day).
Mercury Parts, Mercury Outboards, Smartcraft & Accessories, Injector Service, TDR Reeds- BBC Sponsor
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