Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

[Sea Mitch]

I just replaced the powerhead on my '93 yam 250. ($7,000). I ran it for 3hours max and the same thing happened to it.. died in the water. Mechanic said this time I had no oil (Last time he said it overheated and no lights went off). I looked in the well ('93 Grady White Gulfstream 232G), and saw oil. The low oil light was on so I put 2 pints of oil in the well. The low oil light went off. I'm not sure if that was the cause or not. Mechanic said I have compression of 30 in the #1 cyl and 80 in the other 5. He put some oil in the cylinder manually and said he got it up to 55. I can't afford another powerhead. Could I run it at that cmpression level? Should I bore the #1 cylinder and replace the rings, piston, etc? Is compression of 80 low. He says it's a low compression engine. Befor the new pwerhead compression was over 100 all around. Anyway, He recommended I put oil in the gas at 100:1 and see if that helps raise the compression in that cylinder. I'm not sure I trust this mechanic any more although he has a good reputation. Is there a way I can find out if it's a defective powerhead without sending it back, finding out it's not, and paying $5000 plus labor for another one? He says if its scored, they won't replace it under warranty... they'll say it was run without oil. Don't these engines have low oil protection systems or do they just cease? HELP! I'm out of money after that $7G powerhead. Any advice is appreciated. I'm not having much luck with this first boating season!

 

[Diver Dave]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

Find another mechanic

 

[sloopy]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

did YOU PUT OIL IN IT? befor you started the first time

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

I put oil in it. Admittedly not every time I got gas (the gas dock doesn't sell oil, I got to buy it before the service dept closes at 4:00). But there appeared to be oil in it. The mechanic said not enough. My feeling is I saw oil! Is that true or is there a level at which it's as good as having no oil. Anyway can I run with one cylinder low on compression?

 

[ob]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

If you forked out 7 bills to an ouyboard mechanic that performed that sort of major work on your motor I would hope he load tested his work before he banked your money . he should have given you some sort of guarantee assuming your present condition is an immediate symptom of the work he performed.Any lack of lubrication should have been adressed by the mechanic who performed the work on the failed powerhead

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

OB<br /><br />He claims I ran it without oil. On that 7G invoice is $6.00 for 2 pts of oil. (you'd think he would fill it up for me). It's warranteed for 90 days but he says since I ran it without oil, it won't be covered.

 

[ob]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

Well I guess thats the 7000 dollar Question .Was it run without oil or was there existance of an oil leak that led to the initial failure that should have been remedied as apart of his powerhead failure changeout.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

Hang on. You said you only ran it for 3 hours. But you also said you didnt put oil in it every time you put gas in it. Exactly how much gas does this thing burn in 3 hours?<br /><br />Confused!?!

 

[ob]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

I'd also think that for 7 big ones in the wake of a powerhead failure that the mechanic or facility would have topped the oil resrvoir off.Think of it as a life support IV.and don't gamble with borderline levels.

 

[cannonfodder]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

I bet you make sure it's full next time. Bryce

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

dhadley<br />I ran it for three hours subsequent to the new powerhead installation before it blew the second time. I had gone through a few tankfulls befor the first powerhead went.<br /><br />OB<br />EXACTLY!! I guess I have to find another mechanic or put it to this one and see what he says. He already told me that this is the problem when you get a new powerhead and not a new engine... that you don't know if something else is gonna go after you spend all that money. My attitude is they tried to do it to fast and didn't check all the systems thoroughly. <br /><br />Anyway, in case I have no recourse, can I run the engine as is with the substandard cylinder and what are the ramifications

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

Bryce! You ain't just whistlin' dixie! I've already got two gallons of spare oil on the boat. It'll never go below 3/4 full again!

 

[ob]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

I would'nt reccommend running with #1 cyl. at 30psig compression for any distance . too much risk of complete breakdown or worse.I truly sympathize with your plight, however if you feel that the lubrication failure was due to an overlook and not low level in reservoir I would stand my ground and seek some compensation.Don't simply fall prey to scare tactics or allow your suspicions to be underminded. Good luck.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

Sounds like its time for small claims court or an attorney.

 

[BillP]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

Any mechanic that rebuilds for $7K and doesn't top the oil off is an idiot. Contact the regional yamaha warranty rep and explain the situation. Even if you caused the problem they may cut you some slack and help...ask them. Let us know what happens but running at 30lbs compression can make bigger repair issues, don't do it if rebuilding is in the future.

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

Thanks guys. I'm gonna give that guy a call tomorrow with a little more confidence. Wish me luck. I'll let you know what happens.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

lawyers..... yeah that el fix it

 

[Jumper]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

Sounds like to me, the mechanic screwed up so as a way to cover his back side, he's blaming you. How much oil was in the resevoir when you took it out and the powerhead went? I would see about taking it to another mechanic, have them go thru it and see what they say. Then after they tell you what they theorize happened, tell them the same things you just said here.

 

[whalerjet]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

Why not do a compression test yourself to verify if that mechanic is telling the truth. I wouldn't accept anything he told me. Document your grievences with that shop in writing. Are they an authorized Yamaha repair facility? Best of Luck

 

[suzukidave]

Re: Help! Mechanic says need 2nd Pwrhd in 1 mo.

This seems like a math problem to me. First, you know from his bill he only put two pints of oil in it. Second, you say you ran it no more than three hours after he gave it back and I assume you put no more oil in. How much gas does it burn an hour? Multiply that by 3 and divide that by 50 and you've got your maximum oil consumption (the injection mixture is probably leaner than 50-1). Is it more than two pints?? <br /><br />My 55 horse burns a little over 5 US gallons an hour so it would use 2 pints of oil at 50-1 in a little under 2 and a half hours. I would guess your 250 uses a touch more gas than that so even with lighter than 50-1 oil use from the injection system I think your mechanic is right. I'm really sympathetic but I suspect the only beef you've got is that he only stuck 2 pints in the reservoir and didn't warn you to buy oil. It may have been cheap and lazy to some minds but I'm not sure he was legally obliged to do more. Some people pre-mix their gas to avoid this happening. You've given me one more reason to think that's a good idea. I sure hope you can get out from under this. Have you checked your insurance for coverage?