help, hit piece of tarp-#1 cylinder is out 60 merc

[kmac]

1995 60 hrs mercury. I need help. I hit a piece of tarp traveling at full rpm. The impact jared the boat and dropped rpm from 3000 to 2000 immediately. An immediate rattle started and I lost the #1 cylinder. I contacted the insurance company and my mechanic. Both say this cannot cause the cylinder to fail. We checked the water pump and everything is fine there, no lack of cooling. What can cause this problem. I have to prove that hitting the tarp caused the failure. I am looking for any ideas.

 

[JB]

Re: help, hit piece of tarp-#1 cylinder is out 60 merc

Exactly how did #1 get lost? What is the damage?<br /><br />I don't immediately see any connection at all between hitting a piece of tarp, or even a big rock, and cylinder failure. <br /><br />I would expect the prop hub to disintegrate before any damage to the powerhead could occur.

 

[kmac]

Re: help, hit piece of tarp-#1 cylinder is out 60 merc

After the impact, I put it on the lift and checked "everything" out. It hit on all three cyls but had a rattle. I took the boat out ran it about 50yards and it lost power and #1 is out. There is no question in my mind that the impact caused the problem. I just don't know how.

 

[BF]

Re: help, hit piece of tarp-#1 cylinder is out 60 merc

I'm not sure I understand correctly... but a max rpm of 3000 on a presumably healthy motor?? It is a 2 stroke right? You sure it wasn't really only running on 2 of 3 cylinders to begin with?? <br /><br />If it was healthy before, here's my wild guess... maybe the hunk of tarp got caught on the lower unit and covered the water inlet holes for a while before you noticed it. This caused overheat/meltdown on #1. Loss of rpm allowed tarp to slip off lower unit, it gets whacked by the prop and made the motor jump (you think you just hit the tarp).<br /><br />Kinda reminds me of the "magic luggie" episode of Seinfeld. To be honest, if I were your claims adjuster I don't think I'd be too inclined to pay out. Especially if you told me you were cruising at full throttle and 3000 rpm.<br /><br />Brent

 

[22WRF]

Re: help, hit piece of tarp-#1 cylinder is out 60 merc

WOT should have been at least 4800 RPM<br /><br />Only 3000 WOT about right for 2 out 3 cyl.<br /><br />I wouldn't advise pay if I were the adjuster.