1 Engine Down

[captainron19]

So I ran my boat for the first time the other day while it was in the water at my local service center where they were putting some new rollers on my trailer. I have twin 1989 Mariner 150's and noticed that my starboard engine was a bear to start and stalled out on me a few times when out on the water..... of course both engines ran perfectly when I bought the boat and test drove it a couple of months ago...actually had it out for almost 45 minutes with the guy before I bought it.

Today the mechanic looked over the problem engine and informed me I had 0 compression in one of my cylinders. The remaining 5 were ok.

So my question is..... what are my alternatives? Still new to boating. The mechanic informed me the only thing I should do is replace the engine even with a used one. He strongly advised me against re-powering the unit.

Looking for any input on best course of action to take and approximate costs. He tried talking me into a 2005 Mercury 200HP used to replace the one bad engine and did not have a price set yet but estimated it to be around $4500.

 

[captainron19]

Re: 1 Engine Down

Well ...removed the head and worst case scenario was there....piston that had 0 compression is toast! Actually showing some really bad damage...loose in the cylinder and pieces of metal fused right to the cylinder head

 

[Timestep]

Re: 1 Engine Down

Ask your engineer if he can supply a second hand one with some sort of warrantee? Then ask if he will fit it for free if he gets to keep the old engine?

Dave

 

[aussieflash]

Re: 1 Engine Down

Id be paying the P.O a visit for a little discussion.
Im sure it can be fixed.You just need to find a mechanic thats not a salesman.I HATE when they say it cant be done.What ever you do dont give him the old one.Its probably worth more than the one hes trying to get rid of.

 

[captainron19]

Re: 1 Engine Down

Thanks for the tips guys.... still new to this and of course wasn't ready for this expense so soon.... question..... what can I possibly value the damaged engine at? It is a 1989 Mariner 150HP.... it says V150 on the top of the engine block..... not sure on finding the serial # also..... where would that be?

I even thought of going down to 1 engine and configure boat for that.... comments? That way I could sell off the other matching engine that is still in good working order to put towards a newer used engine.

 

[NFA]

Re: 1 Engine Down

I'm sorry to hear this, please keep us informed as to what you do. I'm curious.

 

[captainron19]

Re: 1 Engine Down

I'm sorry to hear this, please keep us informed as to what you do. I'm curious.

Went to Marine store near me with a pretty reputable Merc Mechanic and he said pretty much the same thing everyone else did......a blown piston does not necessarily mean you need a new engine. He did say he wants to look at it and see if the cyclinder can be bored out and repair....cost for that re-build will run approx $1400 so I am gonna try to get the boat over to him asap to check it out

 

[captainron19]

Re: 1 Engine Down

Well just got the call.... piston is a no go for repair ..... mechanic said I would need a new block and with it being an 89 he recommended going ahead with a replacement engine. He actually recommended getting rid of both engines and going with one larger HP.

Anyone have any input?

If I choose to go to one single larger engine....what would be my ideal size for a 23' Robalo 2320. I am guessing a 225 HP should do the job but not sure. Also, if I choose that route.....what would I expect to get for the both engines if I choose to sell to offset the cost. One has an obvious blown piston but compression good in remaining 5 cyclinders. Did a compression test on good engine and all 6 cyliders were in 120-125 range and that one runs fine. Both engines are Mariner 150hp v6