A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

[achris]

This engine has the same number of hours on it as mine did when I got my first cracked cover. And it was manufactured less than a year before mine!

Mercruiser appears to have a problem they don't want to acknowledge, again!!!

This is the dribbling Weber 4bbl all over again!!!

NOT HAPPY, JAN!!!!

Chris.........

 

[Don S]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

If you haven't, check the pan location like I showed from the volvo manual in the other post, BEFORE you pull the pan off. Take pictures if necessary, so you can show Mercruiser.

 

[achris]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

Thanks Don, will do...

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

Not again!!! Did you try fabricating the other one smooth? I'll have to look up the other thread and have a look again on the issue, it's foggy. Wasn't it the oil pan causing it?

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

Ok Chris i read the old post with the pics of your pan. I thought you tried to file the pan down some to make it more uniform and threw a new cover on. Did you put the carbed motor back in or? Those instructions Don posted on your first post on this cover crack might be something to try. Or fabricate the pan down to it's uniform, what it should be height. Looks like a Pan defect to me. If you pull this engine and match the pans do they both have the same imperfections? Sounds like a batch of defective pans. Wonder how many others have had this issue? hmmmm.....

 

[achris]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

SnS,

This is a different engine... And for me that means they may be an issue with a particular batch of these engines... I don't know if the cast ali sump is a GM thing or a Mercruiser special item. Either way SOMEBODY needs to address it! Chris is not a happy Vegemite!!!

Don,

Checked that sump pan alignment as per the previous post... All ok.. There is a 0.1mm gap, so that's in spec.

Waiting for the owner to arrived and we'll pull the pan and cover off together... He wants to take photos....

Chris......

 

[achris]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

1530hrs... ***UPDATE***

Pulled the pan and cover.... Cover is cracked.... Sump shows the same 'raised' area as mine.

Chris.......

 

[Fun Times]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

1530hrs... ***UPDATE***

Pulled the pan and cover.... Cover is cracked.... Sump shows the same 'raised' area as mine.

Chris.......

Man they really use them boat out there in your area.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

Mercruser calls these problems ISSUES kinda like there are issues with loose head bolts. BULL!

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

Yep, bad batch of pans by the looks. I'd be on the phone to a Merc Rep. Letting him know you've found the defect in the pan/pans. Keep him in the loop of whats going on and ask him for advice / next step? What would he do? Curious to see this other pan in the same area where yours was (raised) and caused the stress to crack the cover. Even if the warrenty has run out being a defect they should atleast make some sort of embersment. New parts at cost / half off maybe? Wonder if a nearby dealer has a new pan in stock to compare? (If there are any out there where you are?) Rattle their cages Chris! It would be in the best interest for Mercruiser to acknowledge and make an effort to make good on this being it's a defect and not the customers fault. We can make it pretty public whether they make good on it or not. I'm gonna go over to another "VERY" public forum and kick the question around on if anyone else has had this issue with theirs! I'll let you know the outcome.

 

[Don S]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

The question is, is the pan at fault, or was it NOT installed properly at GM. I can't imagine that it's a Merc problem. Merc and Volvo couldn't individually make identical pans for identical 4.3 engines.

 

[achris]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

Yeah, I found out that the pan is a GM part...

I've already talked to the Merc rep here... His answer is the same every time... It's out of warranty and they are not interested. He also told me that about 18 months ago (GFC) Merc bought down some really tough policies, and they haven't let up. One of them is that if the engine is out of warranty, any claim will be rejected, REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES!!!

Chris........

 

[Bondo]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

Ayuh,... It $uck$ no matter how or why....

 

[achris]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

The question is, is the pan at fault, or was it NOT installed properly at GM. I can't imagine that it's a Merc problem. Merc and Volvo couldn't individually make identical pans for identical 4.3 engines.

I did check the installation of this pan and it was fine by the specs you posts... Looks like a batch of faulty pans.... But Merc don't care, it's out of warranty. At least that's the case in OZ... How are Merc dealing with this type of problem in USA?

Chris......

 

[Don S]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

One of them is that if the engine is out of warranty, any claim will be rejected, REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES!!!

Sounds like the economy is catching up with Merc. Won't be long and they will all be back to 1 year on the engine and drive.

 

[achris]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

Sounds like the economy is catching up with Merc. Won't be long and they will all be back to 1 year on the engine and drive.

Ya think??? The story I heard was that as the GFC hit, Merc has something like $230M in the bank. Through rationalization and tougher enforcement of policies (like warranty) a year later they had $400M....

Go figure...

Chris......

 

[JustJason]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

Chris didn't you know that off of Mercs "factory seconds" get shipped to AU??

 

[achris]

Re: A second 4.3MPI with a crack timing cover...

Chris didn't you know that off of Mercs "factory seconds" get shipped to AU??

That must be it...

C......