Hole in exhaust manifold

[jim dozier]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

This is a 4-stroke? I was wondering about the cooling because the engine block may have been cooled adequately (thus no seizing) but the exhaust plate could theoretically be running way hot if the flow of water was not correct and excessive heat can react with salt deposits and speed up the corrosion of the exhaust plate leading to a burn through. Just a theory, no experience here. I know that the headers (stainless steel) on my car get very very hot because they aren't water cooled. If they were made of aluminum I believe they wouldn't last. Yours are supposed to be cooled if the cooling system is working properly, but what if it isn't.

 

[ebubeck]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

I'm going to stop by the shop next chance I get and have a good look at the exhaust plate and see if a blockage is possible. Could be that it got way too hot - blockage or not.

 

[ebubeck]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

Looks like a blockage is not likely in the exhaust plate. I suspected a leak past a seal between the block and exhaust plate allowing H2O to seep into the exhaust area but I see no evidence of this, all removed seals area in good shape with no calcification, rust, pitting etc. I'm really still at a loss. <br /><br />Mercury told my mechanic that I should have flushed the motor more. First of all I flush her like my life depends on it, second - flushing has no bearing on what is happening here. I am going to send one last firey e-mail to Mercury and then I'm through with them. Buyer beware!

 

[gss036]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

I agree with you, I have a Mercury 200 hp now, but was badly treated by Mercury on a blown engine w/140 hrs and 13 months old. They said it was out of the 12 month warranty. I will never own another Mercury product unless it is free.

 

[Kiekhaeferscurse]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

This is a very interesting post, sorry your grief is a source of great reading LAspeckking, I'm a little bummed cause i cant get the pictures to come up in my browser, but will keep trying. Can you answer me a question is your boat moored in the water or trailered? If its moored in can you give me the water line distance to bottom of power head, (approx) Thanks.

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

A 3 year old motor with 'oles.. yikes remind me to hold on to my 24 year old USA built one. <br />You can get the pics up by taking out the "www"<br /> http://2coolfishing.com//ttmbforum/showthread.php?p=68873 <br /><br /> http://2coolfishing.com//ttmbforum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8477&stc=1

 

[rajawolf]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

LAspeckking...sorry to see the treatment you are receiving form Mercury.<br /><br />I have been playing with a old 85 mariner for my retstored boat, but i decided that I want a new motor (hang the expense)anyway I narrowed down my choice of motors to the Mercury optimax 90, and placed a order with the Mercury dealer yesterday for $13,780.00<br /><br />After reading this post and the way Mercury have treated you,I just rang my dealer and told him to cancel my order. He ask me why and also informed me that the $500.00 deposit I placed will be lost. I replied mate go to this URL (I gave him the link) and have a read for yourself.<br /><br />To cut this short i have done my $500 deposit but i dont care as i think i will be out in front in the long run by not dealing with Mercury in any way or form.<br /><br />LAspeckking... Mate i know this is not helping your pain in the pocket, but at lest u have some Satisfaction knowing that the forums are here to let people know that if they do the wrong thing by a customer, that it will come back and bite them. I might be a small fish, but i will not deal with company's who try and rip people off.<br /><br />Cheers mate,<br />Tony

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

Raja<br /><br />You might consider a complete rebuild for your Mariner from Golden Seal or someone similar.<br />Way cheaper that 14 grand ($AUD I assume..)<br /> http://www.goldenseal.com.au/rebuilds.htm

 

[orca]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

Hey Rajawolfe, Lighten up, The system here in the land of OZ is completly differant from the USA, in my experiance Mercury Australia are very understanding regards Warranty, Besides you are only getting one side of the story with this thread.

 

[rajawolf]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

Blackanchor... Thank you.. have been searching for a place in OZ that rebuilds motors.<br /><br />whaley ...thank you for your input.. what do you base this claim on regarding warranty in Oz compared to USA...<br /><br />Maybe Mercury Australia might like to comment here and assure me that if I have the same problem as LAspeckking I will not be treated the same.<br /><br />thank you <br />Tony

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

What's this ? An iboats Aussie invasion ? <br />Raja, Up there at the Gold coast, there must be some good rebuilders around.. There certainly are some guns on this site namely Clams and Rodbolt..<br />An inline 4 Mariner of that era is a good motor and will return many years of service rebuilt.

 

[rajawolf]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

Hi Blackanchor <br /> <br />can you please have a look at theses pics for me...i need to know by tomorrow morning if it is worth doing anymore work..i have asked in another thread here...but you seem the only one alive atm..<br /> <br />thanx mate<br />Tony<br /><br /><br /> http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~dwayne/1a.JPG <br /> http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~dwayne/2b.JPG

 

[ebubeck]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

rajawolf<br /><br />I thought the people at i-boats might have grown sick of my saga. I started looking for a quick solution and, well, you see where it led. Regardless, I think you saved yourself money in the long run by pulling out of your Mercury. I am glad to have helped you out.<br /><br />After my last post I spoke with the Mercury rep. again. She claimed to have shown the photos I sent to the "top four-stroke guy" in Mercruy. After careful review (and asking me how long I flush my motor - 5min + - as stated in the owner's manual)the genius said I should flush for 10 minutes. I almost fell out of my chair! What a bunch of idiots! - this is their "top four stroke guy". They also suggested garage storage - which is exactly how it has been stored for the last 4 years. In shock - I just babled something about not understanding and got off the phone. All I wanted was an intelligent discussion of the problem and possible solutions - I had already given up on financial reimbursment. I'm through with Mercury. Anybody want to buy a 90 four stroke? Brand new exhaust!

 

[ebubeck]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

http://2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/showthread.php?p=77430 <br /><br />they changed servers - here is a link showing the inside<br /><br />Kiekhaeferscurse-<br /><br />Garage kept - 99% day trips - a few ovenighters - water line is about 18" down from the powerhead. There is no corrosion at this level in the exjhaust tube or anywhere else on the motor.

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

For both these posts, you guys need people like Clams, Rodbolt, and KCLOST. I am not a repairer,and they are.LA, I thought the exhaust tube was copper, not alloy, and the corrosion, no matter how long you flush, corrosion has occurred way too early in the motor's life. Maybe they just build crap these days.. Dunno.. Hope not.

 

[flips]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

This is bull should not have to make a *** of your self to get answers.Always been a merc man until my last motor.Was going to buy a new merc not any more, stick too the ones i have 20 years pluss and still going strong mercs and johnstons.<br />It is a huge worry to all of us as most of us on this forum service and clean our motors better than required. Then this number one 4 stroke man says 10 mins flushing and the manual says 5<br />who does he think he s talking to<br />sorry this is buls..t <br />LAspecking dont give up on these leaches, you may not get a good result but we can hurt them in time.I hate it when we get ..... biten and we are all very sick of it and feel for you as we have all been there. Give them hell and dont stop. Might be good to give all of us your dealer, so we can email our disgust in mercs,its time we all fight for fairness.<br /><br />Cheers Flips

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

LAspeckking.<br />Have you tried a Yamaha Dealer for advice?<br />Also try Boating Industry Magazine,or other news sources.<br />Last I read Merc and Yamaha are in the court over 'dumping'.<br />I doubt product support is very good between the two at this point.<br />Sort of like BRP (OMC) and Suzuki.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Kiekhaeferscurse]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

Finally got to see the pictures, amazing stuff has to make you wonder where that casting is made and the grade of material used in it. I bet dimes to dollars that's not good old xk360.<br />I havent worked at a dealership for 2 years now(I'm on my own rebuilding good old v'6's) but doesnt Mercury still offer 3 year corrosion on there products( They used to in Canada). I'm betting you could have flushed till the cows came home and it wouldnt have made a speck of differnece. We all know you cant get it all and when its out of the water and Oxygen is present, and your dealling with crap its gonna corrode. <br />Just my 2 cents worth.<br />Sticking with North American V6 they did it right in 1992 now there adding stuff making it fancier and more expensive for the consumer.<br />But what the heck if it dont break they cant sell you a new one & they are manufactures.

 

[funpilot]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

LA,<br /><br />I can sure sympathize with your concern over the flushing and maintenance required to preserve your exhaust system. The way I read you is that you want to prevent future problems with the right process and that you aren't trying to exact some kind of revenge (until they really tick you off, which if you aren't there, you're very close).<br /><br />I'm impressed with your level headedness in this regard.<br /><br />I own a Sport Jet engine that saw little use until I rebuilt the engine. The impeller (jet pump propeller if you will) had a HUGE casting void in the root of one of the blades. After sending it in for evaluation the 'higher ups' simply said "too bad, too old."<br /><br />I hope personally that they garnered some understanding of their stainless steel casting process, and that the failure of my impeller at the blade root helps them in the future. Considering that I bought $2800 in parts to rebuild the motor and jet pump, you would think that they would want to keep me happy. There is a lot of profit in spares!<br /><br />I'm not vindictive. I understand they have a business to run, but when I was in product improvement for a large airframe manufacturer, we were very careful to keep customers, especially ones who wrote in and took the time to call, happy. They are the ones who will tell most of their friends the 'good' and the 'bad' news... and if a mauufacturer makes them their friend, that customer becomes very reasonable in the future, and promotes the brand to others.<br /><br />Customer service is so complicated. But good customer relations is all about salting the field with good customers... loyal ones who do much more good than harm.<br /><br />Take care, and thanks for sharing your problems. I for one agree with staying on top of the anode cleanliness, and even some disassembly to clean hard to reach internal parts. Good luck.<br /><br />fp

 

[ebubeck]

Re: Hole in exhaust manifold

funpilot-<br /><br />Make no mistake, I am ticked. Keeping it civil and moving forward are the only ways to accomplish anything. It didn't work out in this case, however. I have submitted my complaints to BoatUS - they have a consumer protection group that goes after companies when they wrong customers. My theory is that this is not a unique problem and that if a bunch of us come forward and are able to prove a defficiency in the design - Mercury will finally be forced to own up and at a minimum offer upgraded replacement parts. If you know of anyone else who has a similar problem - please have them contact BoatUS and me - ebubeck at yahoo.com.