1995 Merc 2.5L 200HP Offshore - Connecting Rod let go...

[hardcore23]

Hi Guys,

Last fall at about 3500 RPM experienced quite the clunk motor died as fast as I could move to Neutral and kill the key.

Pics should tell most of the story. When the connecting rod let go, the needle bearing race was released into the cylinder, doing some serious damage. :facepalm: You can see what's left of the race that let go vs. a complete.



So, now the question is:
1. Should it be a repair? (Rebuild Kit, crankshaft, cylinder sleeve)
2. Try and source a reman'd complete powerhead?
3. Try and source a complete used motor?

I have around 5k to play with.

Let me know what you think. Thanks in advance for your humble (or not so) opinions and expertise.

Cheers...
Darren.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1995 Merc 2.5L 200HP Offshore - Connecting Rod let go...

So the connecting rod did not puncture the block, into the water jacket? Deciding on a COA is based upon what is repairable and what is not. Is block repairable by boring? Is crank repairable? If not, a remanufactured powerhead or used motor is the next choice. I would think you could get a used mid-90s V6 for less than $3k. Save some of your motor for parts(Gearcase, starter, Ign, Carbs, VR), recycle the block and other broken parts.

Any idea why you had this meltdown?

 

[hardcore23]

Re: 1995 Merc 2.5L 200HP Offshore - Connecting Rod let go...

Hey Chris,

Block came out without puncture, but there was some damage so one of he cylinders would need to be sleeved. Also, crankshaft took some damage, so it would need to be remanufactured, or replaced.

Not sure on the meltdown. When my mechanic started pulling it apart, he couldn't believe how good of shape and clean the powerhead was. Even the insurance surveyor was in disbelief that it was a '95.

Any leads on where to price parts out would be appreciated. Not a lot of places for big outboards in Ontario, compared to the US.

So far, I've been told that it was just a case of ***** happens, because there was nothing to indicate this could have been avoided. A real kick in the junk, as we had only had the boat since last season. Last run of the year, really was last run.

Darren.

 

[1nebel0]

Re: 1995 Merc 2.5L 200HP Offshore - Connecting Rod let go...

You can buy that motor all day long on Craigs list for $2500 or so..very common motor and a good one with carbs.. I have one and love it compared to my fuel injected motors....

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1995 Merc 2.5L 200HP Offshore - Connecting Rod let go...

If you rebuild, make sure to use new connecting rod bolts, clean and rebuild all carbs, waterpump, thermostats, poppit valve, fuel pump and link and synch the motor. You do not want **** to happen again.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 1995 Merc 2.5L 200HP Offshore - Connecting Rod let go...

So far, I've been told that it was just a case of ***** happens,

Naa...it them plastic carriers around rod bearings, they start cracking and falling apart and rod soon follows as bearings get crooked and cause uneven load on rod. Mike all the cylinders to see if they are close to wear spec's( bet its close) and have cylinder sleeved. The rebuild kits I sell have everything internal to rebuild plus t-stats,impeller,fuel pump kitand carb gasket kits or you can pick and choose what you need. Cranks are a dime a dozen and have several in shop stock..

 

[hardcore23]

Re: 1995 Merc 2.5L 200HP Offshore - Connecting Rod let go...

Thanks Fazt. Can you send me a PM with pricing on rebuild kit, sleeve and crank?

I actually had some insurance $$$ to play with and wound up finding a 2000 225 EFI, yesterday. Should be a nice little upgrade to the boat. It's almost cosmetically perfect, freshwater motor and compression was solid. Still interested in possibly getting the 2.5L back up and running as big, freshwater outboards are pretty few and far between up here. Would be nice to have as a back up, or even flip it to put some coin back in the pocket.

Cheers!!
HC