1999 280 MERCURY OUTBOARD

[GARRELL CHIASSON]

I'M REACHING OUT THERE TO ANY OF YOU 280 MERCURY OWNERS. I HAVE A 1999 280 MERC.WITH THE 3rd 2000 MODEL POWERHEAD WHICH I HAVE JUST BLOWN MY 3rd POWER HEAD IN 10 MONTHS THE MOST I HAD ON ONE POWER HEAD IS 6.5 HOURS THE LAST ONE WHICH WAS JUST A WEEK AGO HAD LESS THAN 2 HOURS AND MY COMPUTER SHOWS 8 HOURS. I HAD TO PAY THE LABOR FOR INSTALLATION OF THE LAST ONE AT CAJUN OUTBOARDS 2 MONTHS AGO. NOW MERCURY MARINE WANTS TO SEND ME A REFURBISHED POWER HEAD AND ME PAY THE LABOR AGAIN. READERS PLEASE COMMENT OR SUGGESTIONS THANKS.

 

[Fitch]

Re: 1999 280 MERCURY OUTBOARD

Call mercury direct and give them the story with your ser# and see what they say. Also check into you lemon laws.

 

[Fitch]

Re: 1999 280 MERCURY OUTBOARD

Post you e mail addy and I will contact you for ser# and see what I can tell you.

 

[john ho]

Re: 1999 280 MERCURY OUTBOARD

The 280 series are probably pink elephants. according to a major crank rebuilder in the US, the recent higher horsepower Merc crankshafts are a weak point and Merc sends him hundreds to redo (He is a major rebuilder who helped pioneer rebuilt cranks) This is opinion, mind you. But it reminds me of the Evinrude/Johnson V8 outboards (280's or 300 I think) that were lemons and were not very dependable. Ask your Merc/rep dealer to credit you and return your motor against another engine. Salvage what you can and move on. The dealer warranty headache and time loss is a killer and does not save if you put a price on time loss and aggravation and the possibility (likelihood) of future return problems. Best wishes and may luck be with you

 

[ODDD1]

Re: 1999 280 MERCURY OUTBOARD

the 280's were decent powerheads ...were originally developed off the ss / drag motors ....they are picky about breakin/run in...if pushed hard out of the box or when block is cold they will seize.....

 

[Fastcat]

Re: 1999 280 MERCURY OUTBOARD

The 280 hp had some detonation problems in #6 hole. If you follow breakin, use 92+ oct fuel, run at 32/1 or higher(rich) they are a great engine. The 2.5, 3.0 are the best outboards you can buy, if you need help let me know.