How much damage was done?

[imported_stump jumper]

I recently purchased a 135 Mariner from a boat dealer. The dealer recommended that they remove the oil tank and that I pre mix the fuel. I ran the boat for a couple of weeks with no problems. I brought the boat back to the deler to have a new fuel sender installed because I had a leak at the old sender gasket. I picked up the boat Friday and the dealer had filled the boat with fuel. The tank capacity is 35 gallons and they put 18 gallons of new fuel.

I took the boat out today and ran it for a few hours at or near 4500 RPM and a couple of hours at idle. While running at high speed I felt the motor surging like it was dropping a cylinder. While at idle the motor shut off a couple of times. I went back to the dealership to complain about the performance of the motor. I found out that they did not put oil in the fuel they added. They admit that and take responsibility.

My question is, Would you expect that there is motor damage? If they say the motor is fine, How do I verify that there is no permanent damage? Sorry this was so long winded.

 

[Laddies]

Re: How much damage was done?

There is a very good that there was no damage 100 to 1 is a little lean as far as oil but OMC played with it in the 80s and the biggest problem they had was with rusting when the engines set around even McCulloch ran it in their outboards back in 1962. I certianly would not be happy if it were mine and if they don't want to do a complete teardown, the lest I would settle for is removal of the heads with a joint inspection and some type of warrentty on their part in writing thats dated and exceptable to you.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: How much damage was done?

at least they admitted fault.

im not sure if it would really help, but would a leakdown and compression test tell you about the damage?

 

[imported_stump jumper]

Re: How much damage was done?

Update:
The mechanic called today to say that the compression was unchanged and that there was no damage to the pistons. I asked how he knew that and he said that he pulled the spakplugs and looked in the head. Should I call BS or let this go and call it good?

 

[Laddies]

Re: How much damage was done?

Tell them you can't see rings through the plug hole and your not concerned with the rings (compression) as 4 strokes run with little or no oil for ring lubrication on a daily basis. What troubles you are the bearings and piston skirts and if they are sure the engine is fine a warrentty should be no problem. If they don't want to do that a third party tear down might be resolve it for your satisfaction. If not they will hear from your lawyer.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: How much damage was done?

if they are that confident, i would get something in writing sayings its under warranty for a year.


looking in the spark plug holes will only allow you to see the top of the dome. not the sides of the pistons or anything anything else.