08 250 Pro XS COIL PROBLEMS!!!

[spooled up]

I have an '08 Opti 250 pro xs mounted on my contender 21 and just had the same problem. Coil 2 went on me after just bout 30 hours. I do a lot of offshore fishing 15-20 miles out and only have this one engine. My question is... if I lose a coil that far out, am I going to damage the engine running back in at a relatively decent speed or should I limp in at idle? Or worst case, do I just call for a tow? I chose this engine for its apparent dependability for these offshore situations. Needless to say I am not happy, but I would just like to know what kind of trouble I will be in offshore if one fails...

[kevcol]

Don, you' re the expert around here, speaking on all our behalf to Mercury about these coil issues. On April 19th, of this year you said an update should be coming on the coil issue within a couple months or possibly sooner. You said Mercury does not manufacture the coils, but that its a "vendor" issue, and that Mercury was "working diligently to get the issues rectified". So........... do you think you will have an update soon??? And what do you think Mercury should do?? I'm certainly NO EXPERT but if another one of my coils fails I don't want to go back to dealer and have just THAT ONE replaced I want THEM ALL replaced with the new non defective coils, if Mercury can come up with coils that will last. Another word for this procedure is called a "RECALL". I'm sure you saw the "COIL POLL", almost 50% of us are having coil issues! Just want to say to you Don, I am in no way meaning to blast you for Mercurys problems, but I view you as a spokesman for us Merc owners, and as a critical link between us and Mercury.

[dandy82]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spooled up &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have an '08 Opti 250 pro xs mounted on my contender 21 and just had the same problem. Coil 2 went on me after just bout 30 hours. I do a lot of offshore fishing 15-20 miles out and only have this one engine. My question is... if I lose a coil that far out, am I going to damage the engine running back in at a relatively decent speed or should I limp in at idle? Or worst case, do I just call for a tow? I chose this engine for its apparent dependability for these offshore situations. Needless to say I am not happy, but I would just like to know what kind of trouble I will be in offshore if one fails...</TD></TR></TABLE>


ran mine today...No oil issue. I love the way the engine runs....I just want it to be a little more trouble free. The coil issue needs to be resolved by merc.

[EuropeanAM]

I would encourage those of you who have had "legitimate" coil failures to participate in the poll. BBC members are not the only ones that read these posts.

I still have not received any update or info on the coils- I do know that we're receiving replacements in as ordered as of this time.

I will update if and when concrete information becomes available.

The good news- I've not replaced a coil in my shop for the last 4 weeks.

[Jamie]

Don,
You would have had to replace one if I was close this past weekend because my #3 coil went out while I was practicing for a tournament on Kerr lake Friday morning. I was lucky it didn't happen on Sat during the tournament. I had to call around until I found one in Durham but none of the dealers would work on my boat because they said they where to back up. Of course this was after they asked whether I bought it from them and I told them I didn't. So you kno as well as I do this was BS. If I have another coil go out and I miss a tournament I will file a complaint with the Better Business Bunch and start a lawsuit against mercury for this issue. We shouldn't have to pay 20K for a engine and have to take it back to the dealer every 20+ hours to install a defective part. We have 2 much money invested in travel to have this problem. Mercury is aware there is a problem and it is time for them to fix it. Just my 2 cents.

[EuropeanAM]

Jamie- sorry to hear one went down on you.

If you ever have this issue again- I ALWAYS keep coils in stock.

[dandy82]

3 trips in a row...no issues and made my longest run to date (only around 12 miles).

Like I said, the motor is strong....But when Merc comes out with a new coil, I want a recall of my motor and the coils replaced......

[ss]

Don, what is the price for a 225 ProXS coil? I am thinking about carrying a spare after my recent problem. Also, someone suggested using a timing light with an inductive pickup to determine which cylinder is not firing. Would this work?

[EuropeanAM]

Part# 339-879984T00 ($116.82 BBC member price)

And yes, and inductive timing light would be a good means of checking spark on each plug wire (as an "at the lake" test).

[BigPoppaPeak]

European AM, I believe I have a bad coil '07 250 Pro XS (Loss of power, crappy holeshot, and only able to get 5K max RPM). I am more that positive that Merc will get me a New Coil When I get it to the Shop (Monday) BUT, I got a Tourney tomorrow that I am not going to miss, SO my question is this:

Can I run it with a bad coil without the potential for catastrophic failure?

[EuropeanAM]

I wouldn't recommend it. Of course, that's simply my opinion.....

If you were nearby.... I'd have you fixed up in a jiffy (probably while you wait)....

[BigPoppaPeak]

Thanks for the offer and Info. My repair shop has odered the Coil and we will be replacing this week (early I hope).

Thanks again.

[Roddy]

Another one for me! I'm going to try and get all 6 replaced.

[bgibson]

Just got all 6 coils replaced when I told tech per Don's advice to refer to Service Bulletin 2009-26

[rcraigrrt]

Good info here! Thanks Don!

[Peach1303]

Does this apply to the 225 Pro XS made in 2008? One of the codes that came up was possibly a coil that went out, per Don in another post yesterday. Was this a recall or am I out of luck with it being 10 years after the fact?

[EuropeanAM]

Does this apply to the 225 Pro XS made in 2008? One of the codes that came up was possibly a coil that went out, per Don in another post yesterday. Was this a recall or am I out of luck with it being 10 years after the fact?

Please open a separate thread for your engine, including your serial number.

There was no "recall"... although the recommendations still apply, the engine owner must cover the costs of repairs.