Repair gone wrong?

[kkalsch]

4,3 Mercusier MPI Alpha 1 Gen 2 ......well had an incident that my Drive and transom assembly had to be replaced .So the work was done at an authorized mercrusier dealer. They called me and told me the boat was ready -I had to wait about 3 days until I was able to pick the boat up. When I got there the bilge was fill of oil and the oil reservoir was empty . They said we need to check it out and will call you when its ready. They called a week later said all fixed. When I went to get the keys I saw the tech and asked what happened he said the they installed the quick disconnect that on the hose that goes to the oil reservoir on a bolt not the fitting ??? Well when I statrted the boat there was a winning sound coming from that drive -called out the tech -he said sounded normal -also said it needed to break in? well I shut that engine off and started the port engine and proved to him how much louder the new drive was -he said run it 10 hours and bring it back. I get 20 minutes out and the alarm goes off -the drive oil reservoir is empty -luckily I had a quart on board and filled it up and drove anther 20 minutes to my dock and the oil reservoir was down about 1-1/2" . So there is no way they could of filled the drive per mercusier procedure -The winning does get louder has you go faster . Is the brand new drive toast? The shop wants to take the boat back to fix it but not want them to tear into a brand new drive.What a mess!!!

 

[rickryder]

I would want a new drive.... Why would you pay for new then have someone open it up and repair whats wrong..... New is new right?

 

[Bt Doctur]

New drives don't whine and don't need or lose oil when new. Tell them you want a new drive if it was improperly filled

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Trim that drive up, 'n bring it back to them on the other,....

Somebody screwed up, let them stand up for their work,....

 

[Tnstratofam]

I would not let them repair the new drive they just installed. I would insist they replace it. If they're a stand up shop then they'll replace it and apologize for their mistake, and have you back on the water with little to no delay. If they aren't then I would hound them night and day until my boat was repaired to my satisfaction, then I would be finding me a new repair shop. Good luck and stick to your guns about them replacing the obviously damaged drive.

 

[thumpar]

If they don't make it right I would contact Mercruiser also since they are an authorized shop.

 

[nec plus ultra]

If your insurance is paying for replacing your drive, then you should contact *** to tell them about the situation. Good luck

 

[achris]

Sounds like that wasn't a new drive, but a rebuilt one... If you/insurance paid for new, you should insist on a new one.

 

[alldodge]

Look for a serial number on the drive. If it has been removed, that's a big flag. If it's there take it down and call Merc, they will be able to tell you where it came from

 

[kkalsch]

Yes it was an insurance claim...they test drove the boat at WOT with the reservoir hose connected to a bolt on the transom -that's when the damage occurred -I think -I am calling my insurance company and Mercrusier on Monday

Thanks

 

[Fun Times]

Drive and transom assembly had to be replaced .So the work was done at an authorized mercrusier dealer. When I got there the bilge was fill of oil and the oil reservoir was empty . They said we need to check it out and will call you when its ready. The tech said the they installed the quick disconnect that on the hose that goes to the oil reservoir on a bolt not the fitting ???

I don't recall the service bulletin number but somehow that quick connect hose fitting has been accidently installed on a certain "bolt" enough times that Mercruiser ended up putting out a service bulletin somewhere around 2009/10ish (< I believe it was) explaining to be careful of where you connect the hose fitting connecter along with how to properly run/install the hose along the transom assembly. So technically speaking, anything wrong from this point on most likely should fall on the dealer...not Mercruiser warranty.

Hope it all turns out well in your favor, good luck.

 

[UncleWillie]

There are too many Red Flags here.

Even if you put the Monitor hose on a bolt instead of the nipple, You would know it as soon as you filled the Bottle.
The manual in instructs you to fill the bottle, and then open the Oil Vent Plug until all the air in the Gear lube hose is purged, and Oil flows out the vent hole. This also double checks that the drive is completely full of Oil.
If you don't purge the hose, you will be a few ounces low before the hose stops delivering air instead of Oil.
If they did it the correct way, they would have to make 2 mistakes to not have Lube in the Drive.

Models with Gear Lube Monitor:
8. Remove oil vent plug and sealing washer (with drive unit in full DOWN/IN position).
9. Fill gear lube monitor bottle with Quicksilver High-Performance Gear Lube. When oil starts to run out the vent hole (gear lube hose between drive unit and gear lube bottle becomes filled), reinsert vent plug. Torque to 40 lb-in. (4 Nm).
10. Fill gear lube monitor to &#147;FULL&#148; line on decal.
Lubricate O-ring seal on gear lube monitor neck with stern-drive oil, to ensure ease of installing and removing cap.
Install gear lube monitor cap. Do not over-tighten.

After filling the drive, I prefer to install the Vent plug, and then keep pumping until oil appears in the monitor bottle. Same end result.

 

[tpenfield]

Just reading your story, lots of red flags as stated. I am wondering if they neglected to fill the outdrive with gear lube (or tried an incorrect method) and ran it at WOT . . . then went to fill it or something like that . . .

Should not be noisey and should not leak.

I think you are dealing with a lack of mechanical competence with the repair shop/dealer.