5.0 L EFI Mercruiser motor and/or Alpha Drive problems

[ron on the Manatee]

Does this motor or Alpha drive have any generic problems to check before buying?

 

[FatBack]

Re: 5.0 L EFI Mercruiser motor and/or Alpha Drive problems

What year is it. If it is new dont't worry till the warranty runs out. It's a boat! They all have there generic handicaps depending on who you talk to. Good Luck<br /><br />PS If it's used there might be something to talk about.

 

[Trent]

Re: 5.0 L EFI Mercruiser motor and/or Alpha Drive problems

Check for water in the lower unit. Kick the drive to one side and check the bellows for cracks or tears. Make sure on the water it shifts good without dieing. Mercrusiers overtime need new lower shift cables after they start sticking. This sticking causes the engine to quit while shifting. Need to grease the gimble bearing several times per year. Dont know how old the engine is but. If its a saltwater boat the manafolds and risers will need to be changed every 4-5 years to prevent water intrusion into the engine. Freshwater boat will last many years before they need replacement. These are the most common problems with Mercrusiers. I may have missed a couple?

 

[bernieb]

Re: 5.0 L EFI Mercruiser motor and/or Alpha Drive problems

Before you buy the boat insist on a test run on the water, and if you can find a knowledgable marine mechanic that will spend an hour on the water with you it will be money well spent,check the oil after the test drive.Find out all repairs that have been made if you can.Don't be afraid to pull outdrive off and grease the universal joint and spin the gimble bearing for no noise after you buy it.Buy yourself a manual .When you get saltwater in the bilge area ,try to track it down ,it can be an early warning for a costly problem.By the way always check the bilge pump for working ,I have mine on a 8by 8 aluim.plate that I can remove and turn upside down for checking.Use only the best gear oil for the lower unit.good luck

 

[binduni]

Re: 5.0 L EFI Mercruiser motor and/or Alpha Drive problems

My experience has been positive so far. The Mercruiser 5.0 is the tried and true Chevy 305, so you can feel comfortable about having about 30 years of engineering refinements behind it. Fuel injection is awesome, and has always been (for me) so much more reliable than a carb. My 5.0 EFI has a fuel cooler, which may help reduce vapor lock (so the manual says....).<br /><br />The Alpha 1 outdrive seems a little less than bullet proof, like the engine. A little tap against a rock last summer snapped the skeg right off.... but I guess that's better than the entire housing shattering!<br /><br />From what I see others have posted, it looks like the biggest concerns are around past care and maintenance, which I would say goes for any and all engines. You don't say how old the set up is, but I think the advice on having a good marine mechanic check it out if used is the best to listen to!<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[binduni]

Re: 5.0 L EFI Mercruiser motor and/or Alpha Drive problems

My experience has been positive so far. The Mercruiser 5.0 is the tried and true Chevy 305, so you can feel comfortable about having about 30 years of engineering refinements behind it. Fuel injection is awesome, and has always been (for me) so much more reliable than a carb. My 5.0 EFI has a fuel cooler, which may help reduce vapor lock (so the manual says....).<br /><br />The Alpha 1 outdrive seems a little less than bullet proof, like the engine. A little tap against a rock last summer snapped the skeg right off.... but I guess that's better than the entire housing shattering!<br /><br />From what I see others have posted, it looks like the biggest concerns are around past care and maintenance, which I would say goes for any and all engines. You don't say how old the set up is, but I think the advice on having a good marine mechanic check it out if used is the best to listen to!<br /><br />Good luck!