New powerhead instalation

[steve forsythe]

Can anyone give me a round about figure on what the labor cost would be to install a new powerhead. I believe someone told me about a day or a day and a half. Does this mean 8-12 hours x the labor rate? Also, more importantly, what should i look for to make sure the job was done right, or what comon mistakes are made??<br />Thanks

 

[dick]

Re: New powerhead instalation

Hi there, 2hp or 200hp? Merc,Yammy,Johnson ?<br />EFI , CARB , DFI. Is your engine being rebuilt or are you getting a replacment P/H.<br />I could give you a pretty good idea with some more info.

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: New powerhead instalation

200 hp,Merc, carb, new powerhead from factory. 2000 model. Thanks

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: New powerhead instalation

****, if you are still out there, what do you think? I just want to know what to look for as far as quality of work, professionalism, etc... Thanks

 

[dick]

Re: New powerhead instalation

Sorry , I've been away for a couple of days.<br />Ok , a good day is about right (8-10 hrs )<br />Any good shop should also go through the carbs and check/replace the water pump when the p/h is done . They should also check the oiling system , charging , and link and sync the engine (timing etc.) Some people say they should run them for 5 hrs but a least a hour in the water or in a test tank is good .<br />Most important they should tell you why the p/h blew.Labor rates vary between shops and I have no idea what it is in your area.Make sure the work is done by a merc dealer because they'll stand behind the product better then a none merc shop.<br />Why did it blow anyway?

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: New powerhead instalation

d.i.c.k, i am not sure how it blew. I was told it broke a ring. I havnt gotten a good explination why though. I am getting a year warranty with the rebuild though. The engine, when up at full speed, just died. After a few minutes it started and ran fine for a few miles and then died again. After limping home, i looked "under the hood" and found a small brass nipple with a split hose next to it. The engine was soaked with fuel and/or oil. I hooked it back up and the next day it ran fine for 8-10 miles but then died again. Looked under cowl, and hose was split again. Rehooked it up, and engine went for a mile or two and died for good. It would limp but not get up on plane. Ring was probably broken at this point. I wonder when it blew? The mechanic told me the open brass nipple was an overflow port or something. I want to know how or why the ring broke, but what if the dealer cant really tell me? He already told me it could be a lot of reasons, that he has seen engines out of the box break a ring. Does anyone think my symtoms caused the broken ring or the ring broke which caused my symtoms.????

 

[dick]

Re: New powerhead instalation

Was the hose split or did it come off the nipple ?

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: New powerhead instalation

It is a real small, maybe 1/8 in. hose that runs from the front of the engine to the block. There are 3 on each side i think. The hose split at the very end where it attaches to the nipple. It split twice before i put a tie strap on it to hold it for good. Not sure if this could be related to the overall engine failure or not. Thanks.

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: New powerhead instalation

There was also a small (3-4"), black, soft, hose fitting or something in the bottom of the engine compartment. I dont know what it was attached to. It has one larger end with teeth-like things holding a white pearl sized ball in it. It looks like a breather somethingamabob. Anyway, couldnt find it on the engine diagram anywhere.

 

[dirt1bike]

Re: New powerhead instalation

I may also have a broken ring due to a back fire from faulty ignition. I have a 1996 re-manufactured 4.3L OMC. Why didn't you just get the ring replaced? It seems that any time something internal goes with an engine, they replace it with a rebuild or re-man. Why not just fix the problem? Aren't the pistons still good? I know that I am missing something. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: New powerhead instalation

The head had a broken ring and one scuffed piston, so i was led to believe that two cyl. needed to be rebuilt at approximately $2750-$3000. I got a reman. from Merc for $1600 with a year warranty. I think that is why we went that way. I dont know if i would have gotten a warranty on just fixing the problem. But my question is: what do i look for in the next year to see if the same problem is still there? What are some warning signs of bad ignition or running lean??????

 

[dirt1bike]

Re: New powerhead instalation

It still does not make sense. How could someone charge you $2-3000. to rebuild a cylinder or two, but will only charge you $1600.00 for an entire engine with 6 new pistons. This engine also had to be bored etc. I don't want to seem negative but I still can not seem to reason this out. Motor heads please help.

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: New powerhead instalation

The shop was going to charge me $2500-$3000 to break it down, rebore, replace ring, and sleeve, both cylinders. Mercury, under some waranty assistance, was going to provide me a factory rebulit with a year waranty for $1600. Regular price would be $3500-$4000 for a factory rebuilt with a waranty. So the shop is going to charge me $800 to install factory rebuilt powerhead instead of rebuilding it themselves. Total $2400 out of pocket, but i get a year waranty and the rebuild was done by Mercury so i feel better.