Engine run and staring problems

[gran398]

For peace of mind...as Fitz advises, take it to a shop with certified mechanics. At least you'll know.

You can worry, you can fidget, you can make suppositions, and you can spend money on what is suggested on the internet....Or, you can take it to a trusted local professional and be done with it.

"You can't beat a man at his own game"

[fitz73222]

I just re read your posts from March. You have the same issue going on or very similar. I was believing this was a fuel issue but since you said you ran it on a remote tank with the same problem plus the low compression it is time to spend some money with a shop. You may wind up ruining this engine fiddling with it for months on end for the sake of $500 assuming the compression reading is false. Take it in and let us know what the problem is!

[foreverstrung]

This is the current plan, takin it in to the shop. I'm just asking for speculation here, but If I had to have this motor rebuilt, what would be a fair price that I might expect from a qualified mech.? I'm figuring at least $500 just for the basic, look see. To put it through it's paces and dial a few things in, If I was lucky, this would be great if that was it, but what would you think worse case senerio would be? In my mind, would be a complete rebuild, how far do I open my wallet?

[fitz73222]

This is the current plan, takin it in to the shop. I'm just asking for speculation here, but If I had to have this motor rebuilt, what would be a fair price that I might expect from a qualified mech.? I'm figuring at least $500 just for the basic, look see. To put it through it's paces and dial a few things in, If I was lucky, this would be great if that was it, but what would you think worse case senerio would be? In my mind, would be a complete rebuild, how far do I open my wallet?

The word "rebuild" is such an ambiguous term these days. The shadetrees consider it a couple of pistons and rings, hone, some new bearings, seals and gaskets and $1500 later you got what you paid for.... As opposed to a blueprinted, line bored, decked, complete machine work, maybe using your rods and crankshaft if in near perfect condition, magnafluxed, assembled and dyno'ed (wouldn't that be nice) for  $3500. You have to decide where to draw the line and where that tipping point is between building a new powerhead and spending $7000 on nice used 3-5 year old engine that may actually have some warranty left on her. The good news is the 2.5 Merc you have is the 350 Chevy equivalent when it comes to parts and expertise out there to really get a good rebuild if you find the right shop. Your engine is still seriously raced and Tennessee seems to be a hot bed of engine builders who really know these engines and can build you a bulletproof 2.5. These guys advertise heavily in Bass and Walleye Boats magazine, which to me is the best publication out there for boat and engine testing ( check it out on line) these guys get into some serious detail where 100 mph is a Sunday drive. Not saying you need to build something that will twist @7500 rpm but you get a rebuild that will last many years backed by a decent warranty. For now, get an assessment of what's going on with this engine from a reputable Mercury dealer (another ambiguous term) and lets make some decisions from there. I can't get my head around your compression readings unless this engine was run without oil or baked alive from overheating. My $.02

[GoneFission]

What the Fitz said...       Time to call in an expert.

[GoneFission]

The word "rebuild" is such an ambiguous term these days. The shadetrees consider it a couple of pistons and rings, hone, some new bearings, seals and gaskets and $1500 later you got what you paid for.... As opposed to a blueprinted, line bored, decked, complete machine work, maybe using your rods and crankshaft if in near perfect condition, magnafluxed, assembled and dyno'ed (wouldn't that be nice) for  $3500.

OK - if anyone wants it done, I've got a magnetic particle (MT - often called magnaflux), liquid penetrant (PT - zlyglo), eddy current (ET), and ultrasonic (UT) setup here in the shop.  I could crack check someone's rods, driveshaft, or whatever if you want to send it to me and pay for return shipping.  I can do PT or ET on aluminum; and MT, ET, or PT on steel.  UT is a possibility for any metal, but it's harder to do, takes longer, and does not do a lot better job of finding surface cracks than some of the other methods.  Only downside is you will have to wait until I'm home long enough to get to it.   :shaking2:  No charge to Aquasport members - I don't do this for a living anymore - it's more of a hobby and educational thing for me these days.    And yes, I know I have some nerdy hobbies...   :tongue:  Send a PM if you got something you want checked.

[Capt. Bob]

and does not do a lot better job of finding surface cracks than some of the other methods.

Does it work on skulls?
Might help with the sanity rumor going round about Scott and the fleet he's acquiring.
Ya'll goin' to be meeting up for Octoberfest. Some of Lewis' grape elixir should help, if it's uncomfortable.    

I'm just sayin'

[GoneFission]

and does not do a lot better job of finding surface cracks than some of the other methods.

Does it work on skulls?  Might help with the sanity rumor going round about Scott and the fleet he's acquiring.
Ya'll goin' to be meeting up for Octoberfest. Some of Lewis' grape elixir should help, if it's uncomfortable.    
I'm just sayin'

 Not to mention the Life of the Party Margaritas!    We might have to keep Lewis away from those this year...   :jocolor:

[gran398]

and does not do a lot better job of finding surface cracks than some of the other methods.

Does it work on skulls?
Might help with the sanity rumor going round about Scott and the fleet he's acquiring.
Ya'll goin' to be meeting up for Octoberfest. Some of Lewis' grape elixir should help, if it's uncomfortable.    

I'm just sayin'

I'm just now seeing this.

That last one, I picked up for a friend.

Got it?

   

[Capt. Bob]

and does not do a lot better job of finding surface cracks than some of the other methods.

Does it work on skulls?
Might help with the sanity rumor going round about Scott and the fleet he's acquiring.
Ya'll goin' to be meeting up for Octoberfest. Some of Lewis' grape elixir should help, if it's uncomfortable.    

I'm just sayin'

I'm just now seeing this.

That last one, I picked up for a friend.

Got it?  

Well a little birdie told me that a trip out west might be in order to stabilize the fleet then.

Might want to give the "Icemanbryan" a jingle.

I'm just sayin'

[gran398]

I'm just now seeing this.

That last one, I picked up for a friend.

Got it?  

Well a little birdie told me that a trip out west might be in order to stabilize the fleet then.

Might want to give the "Icemanbryan" a jingle.

I'm just sayin'

 

A trip to the Pacific coast for our AS crew would be "dechit".

We could all meet in ATL, and the group fly out together.

And as you know...it ain't BS

[foreverstrung]

OK, so here's the update. Pulled it out of the water and scrapped 100 days worth of growth off. Took it into a pro and found that the compression and every other component of the motor appear to be spot on. ( I had a bad compression gauge, obviously). So the growth on the hull was the problem with the speed, Took her out last weekend and she cruised at 40 mph with no problem. The stall issue I believe was a block in the fuel line and a faulty primer bulb, both repaired and no issues.

[Capt. Bob]

 

[GoneFission]

Glad to hear it was not a big mechanical issue.  It was hard to believe that motor would even run with 60 PSI compression.  So take her out and, as the website says, Scream and Fly!