1997 Mercury Pro Max EFI Upper Bearing Help

[slayer021175666]

1997 Mercury Pro Max 225 EFI top bearing issue.

Hi Everyone.
I have a top bearing going out or at least that's what the local boat guy says. He told me $2000 bucks to replace it and said the crank itself might be damaged but, he couldn't get it out to see without splitting the case. I thought $2000 was pretty high so I called another local guy and he said he won't even do it! He said if the top bearing is going, the whole power head is shot! I was thinking about repairing it myself until I heard that. He said he'd rather sell me another engine. I don't know what to do now. Is this true? Thanks for any help you can give me.
Jess

 

[Faztbullet]

If the upper bearing has spalled its possible the crank and upper cylinders are damaged in worst case scenario. What is the engine doing to make you think bearing bad???

 

[slayer021175666]

It was just running a bit rough so I took it to one of the boat shops here. It was a boat mechanic who says its the upper bearing. He could be wrong or just being dishonest. I am a decent car mechanic but, I don't know how to diagnose my boat motor. I have changed the water pump before and another time I changed the exhaust divider myself. When I did that job it made me think that it was easier to work on than a car engine but, it still scares me a bit to work on it just because its worth so much more money than a car engine. The Merc Pro Max still starts and runs. Its just a bit noisy.

 

[slayer021175666]

I posted this before but, I only got one response so I thought I'd try again.
Hi Everyone.
I have a top bearing going out or at least that's what the local boat guy says. He told me $2000 bucks to replace it and said the crank itself might be damaged but, he couldn't get it out to see without splitting the case. I thought $2000 was pretty high so I called another local guy and he said he won't even do it! He said if the top bearing is going, the whole power head is shot! I was thinking about repairing it myself until I heard that. He said he'd rather sell me another engine. I don't know what to do now. Is this true? Thanks for any help you can give me.
Jess

 

[JonBrown]

Well Jess.. If you have a bad top bearing then you have nothing to loose but time and money. It isn't the easiest job although clean and financially prepared for the gasket kit and etc. is all you have to loose. And I am assuming you mean bad because it is spinning oil everywhere correct? Yet not shaking in the crankcase ..?
It isn't like someone will tear it down for free and build your engine back cheaper and I wouldn't do it because it is a 1997 and if I did , I would ask for more...
So you doing it will result in a great Merc. or a few dollars at the recycle bin. Be sure to use Merc. Parts.. It sucks to cheat a few dollars and see your hard work go up in smoke.
Jon

 

[slayer021175666]

I don't understand. Why would I loose the time and money? A great merc or a few dollars at the recycle bin? I don't get what you mean.
Also, I don't know how to check if the bearing is bad. Can you tell me how? The mechanic told he thinks its going out.

 

[Dukedog]

Noise?.. flywheel wiggle?.. Just WHAT is it doin' that makes it suspect?... there is other things that can make ya think its a bearing.... what made you take it to tha guy ta start with???.. flywheel been pulled ta check stuff underneath?... all this stuff has ta come off ta fix tha bearing if thats what it is anyway ....

 

[slayer021175666]

The reason I took it to the mechanic is the motor was shaking around some.

 

[slayer021175666]

Is it possible to remove the upper bearing by just loosening the top bolts on the case?

 

[jbcurt00]

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