Mercury V6 200HP - Oil Blank Problem

First post, so hope to get some much needed help on my Merc V6 200HP 85
Have recently encountered some intermittant engine ticking from the top of the powerhead. Only seems to happen on the water, can't get the engine to replicate on the muffs at 2500rpm. So seems to be associated with load.
Checked pistons for play and all OK.

Checked the plastic oil blank kit today and found the thinner part of the shaft has snapped clean off and has presumably been eaten by the engine. (Could be cause of tick) Will need to replace blank plug, but how can I tell if bushing is still in place? Have used torch to see, but don't really know what I am looking for. Will the new plastic plug lock into place if the bushing is still in place?

Any thoughts, concerns, advice much appreciated. The engine starts, idles and runs smooth otherwise.

Re: Mercury V6 200HP - Oil Blank Problem

Took the reed cage off and spotted that No2 cylinder had eaten the bearing cage and could see rollers through slit in bottom of con rod.

Split crank expecting to see the worst, but was pleasantly suprised to see crank journal OK. Am now waiting for a new rod kit to arrive from the States before re assembly. Cost is about a third of the price as here in Australia.

Thanks for the interest by those who viewed this post. Still don't know what would cause the oil pump replacement plug to fail.

Any suggestions much appreciated!

Re: Mercury V6 200HP - Oil Blank Problem

Hello Neski8 (+ fellow Australian),

First thing, welcome to iBoats.... Plenty of info available here. But, we do need some info from you. Mostly we like the engine serial number, makes life a whole lot easier. Many of us have parts drawings and can look directly at the drawings while advising you...

The other thing I'm unclear of is this 'oil blank plug'. Sorry, but I have no idea of what you're talking about. Could you describe the part, where it's located on the engine and what goes into and out of it?

Cheers,

Chris......
P.S. How are you accessing the site? Proxy or anonimizer?