mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

[Mr.Stuart]

I hve a mercruiser L-Drive, I just bought the boat, it's in the shop for a tune up, I asked the shop what engine it has, they guessed it's something between a 135 and 165 horse, I'm not sure how they can tune it up if they don't know what it is, but is there some way to identifie the engine so I know what I have? I heard nothing but bad things about the L-Drives from the mechanic at the shop, and I'd really like to know what it is that I have, I'm completly new to boating, and this is my first boat.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

That shop scares me. It's a Force L-Drive and it's either 85 or 90Hp 3-cylinder, or 120 or 125Hp 4-cylinder.

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

What Willy states is correct, what he failed to mention when he said it's a Force L drive, is that the engine is a Force OUTBOARD powerhead, mounted on some ill conceived outdrive that goes thru the bottom of the boat. The powerhead wasn't anything great, but it was a lot better than the L-drive under it.
Sell it.............. Quick, before you have a chance to break it.

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

hey thanks for the info, but what is it that's so bad about the L-drives, this boat is a 1990 and it's only got 95 total hours on it, but maybe it would would be better to sell it and get something else, I just hope I can get my money back out of it

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

There have been lots of examples of engine/drive combinations over the years that have been tried and discontinued by all the manufacturers.

When they make something that either didn't sell well or didn't work well, they usually drop it like a hot potato. When this happens, it usually results in poor to non-existent parts availability later. (for example........try to find manifolds or a coupler for a 1987-1989 OMC 460)

When you can find parts they're treated like they're gold-plated by the seller!

Listen to Don and Willy....(they both B Wright!)

 

[bomar76]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

It was the happiest day of the previous owners life when you bought that boat from him.
Sell it, take a loss if you have to, but just get rid of it.
That thing will be nothing but misery.

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

here's an update:

the repair shop just called, and said the boat needs more then 3,000 dollars worth of work before it's even safe to take on the water, I just called the guy I bought the boat from (I've owned it since last Wednesday) and told him of the problem, he had said that the boat was in good shape and water ready, I told him I didn't want the boat and would like to bring it back, he's hotter then a hornet at the moment, cussed me out, swore at me, and said he's out of town right now but bring it back this weekend, so hopefully the exchange goes smooth. if I can get my money back out of him, I'll go looking for another boat, but this time, I'll consult with you guys first before I do anything.

the boat has bad bellows, rusty ujoints, and rust in the outdrive, and I don't know what else, they only thing they said was that the engine itself is in good shape, I paid 4 grand, I'll try to get my 4 grand back, and forget about the other fees I've paid for the work that has been done to it.

thanks for all your advice and comments, I'll keep you posted on how this goes, wish me luck

Stuart

 

[Scaaty]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

the boat has bad bellows, rusty ujoints, and rust in the outdrive

Kinda sounds like you answered a question you made before. Bite the bullet, cut the guy ya bought it from a break on a refund, and chalk it up as a lesson. Lucky he's taking it back..

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

yeah, we'll see how it goes Saturday when I take it back, I kinda have a hunch the guy knew about it, it's a bummer, it is a really nice boat except for the outdrive issue, but I don't have another 3 grand to dump in it, it has kind of put a souar taste in my mouth where boating is concerned, but I'll keep plugging away at finding something, there's got to be a half way nice boat out there for the money I have to spend, provided I get it back from the guy.

 

[Ro-Tator]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

Sorry to hear about the cussing you got from the seller. I'm glad he's takin' it back.

I'm sure you'll find something else to buy that's a lot better.

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

That guy is definitely not happy with me right now, but you know, he told me he had it in for some work, and everything was good and it was water ready, he also knew I was taking straight from his house to the repair facility to have it checked over, I was looking on the net for parts, I don't know what the bellows cost, but the u-joints assembly is close to 600 bucks, if you can find it, it's a discontinued part from what I'm reading, I'm sure either way, whether he takes it back, or I have to dump it, I'm sure I can get enough out of it to get something.....I hope, this is my first boat, my brother told me today "told ya so" and the whole thing is leaving a very sour taste in my mouth, the kids are disappointed that we’re not going to be taking it out on the water, but I don’t want to run the chance of something else going wrong with it, and I’m sure somehow, we’ll get another boat.

I’ve learned a few lessons along the way, number one …stay away from the L-Drives, and talk to people that know boats, so next time I look at one, I’m going to take lots of pictures and post them here and leave it up to you guys to tell me if it’s a go or no go.

With the bellows leaking water, could that be what rusted up the u-joints? Or is that caused from two different problems?

 

[180shabah]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

When you start shopping for your next boat, if it is an I/O, Mercruiser or Volvo Penta ONLY.
No OMC, No Yamaha, No BMW...........

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

Am I fairly safe to buy a used boat from a dealer? There’s one locally that was traded in, it's an older boat, but always garaged and does look pretty nice.

 

[180shabah]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

All the same risks apply when you buy from a dealer. Get the boat surveyed, or at least have a mechanic (who truly knows boats0 go over it for you.
Pay him.

Don't sign any deals until you are satisfied with the condition of the boat.

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

Here’s what the mechanic wrote on the work order:

"Checked gear case oil and ran engine on hose. Water mixed oil in gear case. Gear case needs resealed, as well as new water pump assy. There is also water in bellows and the u-joints are rusted."

Does that sound like a 3,000 dollar job to you guys? I'm thinking that maybe I should get a second opinion, the motor and outdrive look really clean to me, but then again, I have no experience, and the boat runs and handles fine, there's no funny noises that I can hear coming from anywhere and it shifts from forward to reverse very smoothly, if the u-joints are bad, wouldn't you be about to hear it? Like clunking noise or something? is this a fix I could do myself if I can find the parts?

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

It doesn't take a lot of words on a work order to cost $3000. Corrosion, parts NLA problems, all adds up.

If you are going to keep the thing, and need help, post your questions over in the Force forum. That is where this belongs to begin with. It is NOT an IO.

 

[Coors]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

When you start shopping for your next boat, if it is an I/O, Mercruiser or Volvo Penta ONLY.
No OMC, No Yamaha, No BMW...........

Mine runs great.
I go hide now.

 

[bomar76]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

What you really need is to get your head examined for even considering keeping that boat.

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

What you really need is to get your head examined for even considering keeping that boat.

weeellll, if its not as bad as it looks? it really is a nice boat, I'm just weighing my ...um, options at the moment?

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: mercruiser L-Drive: what motor have I got?

ok, here's the latest, I took the boat back today, and got every dime back, so I'm in the market for another boat, I'll start a new thread about finding a boat for a first time boat buyer.

thanks for all your input, it has been really helpful.