Mercruiser 496 HO Need Help with repair shop Referral

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L.A.K.E.

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Hi everyone, yes my first post on iboats so thank you for reading. I have a 2006 Baja Outlaw with a Mercruiser 496 HO and I need help getting it fixed 100 %.. I am done trying to fix it and done with friends who have tried as well. I have been to a handful of boat shops in 2 different states to no avail with a successful running engine for over a year now. What I am looking for is a top notch person that knows and can fix Mercruiser 496's. Surely there is a top mechanic some where for these 496's.. I am in need of the referrals to finally get my boat running correctly this season, once and for all.. The wife and kids are thinking the Sportboat thing was not a good idea for a used boat 2 years ago that we purchased out west. We moved to Texas about 4 months ago. Any highly recommendations are welcome. I travel for work and willing to tow it basically wherever. Thank you.
 

GA_Boater

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Welcome aboard.

Texas is 824 miles from Beaumont to El Paso and 268,596 square miles. Can you narrow your location down to a town, city or county?
 

L.A.K.E.

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Sorry about that. Located in the Dallas area currently but can travel since my work puts me on the road weekly. Boating has started and I am ready to get the boat fixed instead of throwing money at it. I figured someone has at least one referral from experience or past experience, Thank you for any help.
 

Bondo

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Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... What seems to be the problem, that can't be fixed,..??..??

Any chance ya can post the serial number of the motor,..??
 

muc

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P.M. sent with the name of a TX tech
 

L.A.K.E.

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MUC thank you very much. Small world as I asked around and ran into a Fountain boat owner. .He gave me the same person in your pm. Also someone else told me to go on offshore forum as he hangs up there alot . I looked at the info you sent and looks like he is deep into performance boats plus works for a boat builder ?. Wanted to make sure, so hope you do not mind, asking if he is local in the Dallas area and do you know John personally ? That would be great plus very close for me.
 
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alldodge

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asking if he is local in the Dallas area and do you know John personally ?

If its who I think it is, I wonder why his three initials are not listed here. Its not like John doesn't want his name listed anywhere and everywhere to build up his business. If it is the same guy then he is in Ft Worth
 

Fun Times

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John AKA Bup on Off-Shore-Only (in a good way >) truly prides himself with as near as perfection as one human can get when it comes to repairing Mercruisers products for how Mercruiser would want the job done within their working togetherness relationship they've created over the years.....Plus watching his posts it seems he may even step outside of their working relationship at times if he believes it will really help solve the problem such as open up certain types of ECM/PCM's with hopes of repair vs replace if asked by you or if possible within his mind.....Most dealers wouldn't try ECM repair as they'd just have you buy new....That mentioned, if you end up needing an ECM repair and he can't do it as he's kind of new at it, there are two other shops in CA that might be able to repair the ECM too depending on the issue at hand. Of course that's all worst-case scenarios as far as info to relay to you should you end up using John's services.

He probably won't be the cheapest guy in town but it sound's like you're way past that care and more into the what ever it takes, make it happen mode.

Good luck.

PS, as mentioned by Bondo just for curiosity sake..... What seems to be the problem?
 

L.A.K.E.

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Thanks for the reply. All his info was forward to me plus I have been asking around.. I just got off the phone with him and its sounds like he does not need to build the business. He is already 5 weeks out in repairs. Thanks to MUC and 2 others plus the post above,, hopefully I found someone that can get a handle on my 496.once and for all plus located very close in the area. .
 

L.A.K.E.

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The boat has been to 4 different shops for the past 1.5 years. I have searched issues online plus paid for a tech online service. The tech online wasn't very much cost so I did not mind. Correct the boat does have a lot of extra money spent trying to get it running correctly.

Sometimes it will start fine and. run fine for 15 minutes or more, even up to about 45 minutes, , sometimes it will just shut down completely, sometimes it seems as its lost power and lug around. Sometimes it will miss and sometimes it will miss really bad. A few times the engine would not even restart requiring a tow back to the docks.

I have to pull all my service records and forward them to John (BUP). Per strongly his request

I do know most of the things that were done and bought. Or should say hopefully, have been by the repair shops.

IAC
TPS
water pressure sensor
2 leak downs
2 compression tests
coils
spark plugs
wires
spark plugs again have no idea why
seems like million diagnostic scans
service fuel injectors
and there is a lot more.
 
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muc

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Yes, John leans toward the performance side and has partnered with Lavey Craft to build a very fast single engine V bottom boat.
I was kind of surprised you hadn't found him yet as he is in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
A lot of us in the boat business know John as he teaches classes for the Association of Marine Technicians and years ago when boats first started getting fuel injection he was unable to find anybody who could do a really good job rebuilding the injectors. So he researched injector repair and found that while the injectors that we use in boats are automotive. The problems they have are somewhat different due to the environment they're used in. He then had a "state of the art" cleaning machine modified to address these issues and quickly became known as a fuel injection guru. This is just one of many examples of him seeing a common problem and coming up with a solution.
If you take your boat to him, he will find the cause of the symptoms and fix it.
 

L.A.K.E.

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Thanks for the replies. Muc thanks for your last reply.. I have not replied back because I have no new news except for today. Over the past week, Mr. John had me send pics of the engine from all angles plus verify the engine serial number. He even wanted a picture of that to. . He also told me to take the top cover off the engine to take pictures to send. I have never had anyone tell me that before with any boat. At first I wondered why, so I asked him. He said he wanted to see how stock the engine was and if there was a smoking gun to spot out right away. He also said since so many hands have been all the over the engine to see if anything stood out from improper workmanship and bad installs. Makes perfect sense after it was all explained to me.

So the good news. I actually stopped by to introduce myself in person since I was very close to his location today. He had no problems with that. Muc the reason I have not heard of Boats Unlimited is because I just moved to Texas over the winter. and like I said, started to ask for referrals around town, his name did come up 3 times. Another boater told me he was only doing fuel injection testing and cleaning but he is also still working on boats as I found out afterwards.

Finally getting real excited about the boat after meeting John today. They guy is super smart about boats and seems without a doubt can get a handle on my running issues. Actually reassured me that I was in good hands.

So for the good news. He had a customer, this Monday who has to go out of the country for work that can not bring his boat in. I was told to bring my boat in this Sunday plus be ready to go to take with it for testing. I am so ready to get back on the water and problem free hopefully. Funny thing about this, I said Sunday - he says yes cause people will be boating and who knows we might need a tow back in. Lol. Super cool guy and to do this on a Sunday. I am so ready. Sunday it is..
 
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L.A.K.E.

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Thanks for all the posts to direct a person for getting me back on the water. Sunday was a huge eye opener.. The boat has many issues that were pointed out in person during our trial runs.. I guess the only one to blame is myself for thinking I could properly work on my boat plus having faith in the many hands that tried. Not the case, in fact as I am told, a lot of issues could have been avoided and fixed properly. I personally winterized my own boat with the air pump. Well that does not completely winterize the engine as I found out the hard way. This is just one of the many issues , plus pointed out to me issues that were missed and improper service work from others.

I did ask John aka BUP if he was on iboats but he is not. I do have details about the findings but at this point in time, some of it is way over my head. The other reason I am posting is, sometimes a boat owner is way better off seeking out a true professional to work on their boat. Like I said this was a huge eye opener for me. 45 minutes out on the water and more than a handful off issues to deal with. The goods news is, its all fixable and BUP assures me he has a handle on it all the way. I am still looking forward to boating season.
 
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L.A.K.E.

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Good news and bad news today. It was pointed out last week on the water test that I had 2 water leaks and a fuel leak. The fuel cell had a water leak and leaked gas. Forgot what its called exactly. Per conversation yesterday, the fuel cell was pulled and pressure tested to confirm the water leak most likely from my dumb part not winterizing properly. Not going to do that one again. Pics and a videos were sent to my amazement that there is black paint inside the fuel cell. The paint is peeling so now the fuel injectors need to be cleaned and tested. Also it was confirmed black paint in the fuel injectors. A new fuel cell has been ordered. I am told the new ones do not have internal paint plus are designed better for winterizing. Even myself can not believe that Mercruiser would paint the inside of a fuel cell that holds fuel all the time. What on earth were they thinking. .

The good news, there was a water leak coming from the heat exchanger, that was from bad grommets not cracked from a improper winterization. That was confirmed from testing also. I have to give a lot credit to BUP and his honesty because I was already planning for the worst, needing a new heat exchanger plus that cost. He could of easily sold me one. Would like to point out what a world of difference to have someone working on my boat that really knows and how everything in great lengths is explained so well plus actual pics and videos of the service work, parts and installs. All I can say is what a true professional and a huge positive experience for once. .

Timeframe most likely within a week for another water test. When the new fuel cell arrives, just a couple of more days after that, we will be water testing again. Looks like possible calling in a sick day next week. Lol. I am so ready. Just wanted to update.
 
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L.A.K.E.

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Trying to keep up with the proper parts Lol, Looked at my texts, the fuel cell is called Mercruiser Gen 3 cool fuel. Wanted to pass that along because inside the paint will peel away and clog the fuel injectors. I am told this is a very common problem and needs to be addressed plus clean out all the remaining paint in the Gen 3 cool fuel cell or buy the latest offering.. Can not believe I was not told about this before even having my injectors already done by another shop last year.
 

L.A.K.E.

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I have 2006 model. It has paint in it. I seen the pics and videos the condition of my fuel cell plus this week will see it first hand. I understand Mercruiser does not make parts plus the block was made by GM. My problem is, Mercruiser quality control for the fuel cell in which is only sold by them and installed on their engines most likely by their employees for brand new engines out the door, The fuel cell carries a Mercruiser part number only, so they hold all responsibilities per parts made. . Even I know that paint will peel off no matter what it is applied to in a matter of time especially with gas sitting in it for years. . That's my point. Selling anything but not looking down the road what possible issues a boat owner can have because of a poor painting process no matter who painted the fuel cell.. Thats really poor business, poor design and lack of quality control. .
 
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L.A.K.E.

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Recently I searched the issues on google and many had the same, even videos on youtube showing the issues. Who would of thought. Also BUP said this is a very common issue before he even took it apart. . Paint inside the Mercruiser Gen 3 cool fuel issues. .
 

Maclin

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Yup, and by way of comparison you should see what the VP owners are saying about their high pressure side fuel pumps, grrrrrrr.
 
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