Hello, I'm new to the forum. Maybe somebody out there has had similar problems to ours and<br />would like to share their comments or suggestions.<br /><br />We have a 1999 39'6" x 12' aluminum workboat in which we had installed twin Merc 2.8 liter <br />D-tronic diesel stern drives with Bravo outdrives. The engines were built in 1998 or 1999. <br />They are about 150 hp each. The boat is used in fresh water.<br /><br />Since the beginning we have had nothing but problems. First it overheated because the water <br />pump belts disintegrated. Some of the Merc replacement belts failed within one hour of being <br />installed. After several replacements we installed non-genuine belts and seemed to cure this<br />problem. <br /><br />The next thing to go, at 15 hours, was the power steering pump belt. All Merc belts that we <br />replaced since then failed in short order too. We found some belts that were not genuine <br />and they seemed to hold up. Also the tensioning device for these belts broke at this time. <br /><br />The belt problem was so great that three sets of belts had already been replaced after only <br />24 hours of use on the engines.<br /><br />We then had to replace the power steering pump itself. Within six months we had to replace<br />the power steering actuator cylinder.<br /><br />Some of the other things to go wrong: <br /><br />- Throttle cables linkages failed and we replaced the throttle cables<br />- The dipsticks on the engine do not have Full or Low level markings on them for the oil<br />- The cooling water pump impellers have been replaced at least 10 TIMES on EACH engine! <br />- Gimbal collapsed on one engine, had to be completely replaced<br />- Bell housing at hingepin also collapsed, the casting burst through, appeared to be poor quality <br />(on outdrive assembly)<br />- Mercury wrote to us about the premature wear on belts and sent us new style belts. Told us <br />"A kit is now available to solve vibration problems." They supplied us with new engine mount<br />kits. (This did not solve the on going problems.)<br />- The Low Oil alarm switch exploded<br />- One turbocharger failed and had to be replaced<br />- An exhaust elbow disintegrated - turned into powder (this is a cast part) we had to replace it<br />and all the related parts (The Merc lab checked it out and said "no problem exists")<br />- Westgate exhaust pipe, mcm, had to be replaced<br />- We had to replace the oil reservoir components for both engines<br />- And the second turbocharger fell apart this week. You cannot replace the bearings <br />inside the turbocharger, but must replace the entire unit. <br />- There are less than 250 hours on these engines. <br /><br />We are trying to fix these engines "once and for all" but it looks like it just isn't going to happen.<br /><br />We heard from a reliable source that these engines are assembled in Belgium from components<br />made in Eastern Europe. Clearly the Eastern Europeans have some serious quality issues.<br /><br />We went so far as to call the company in Belgium for help. Help, mind you: Solutions. We weren't <br />trying to get them to reimburse us or do something at no charge. We just want the boat to work!<br />They were evasive and uncooperative. <br /><br />We spoke to another man in the Midwest who had nearly identical problems to ours, and at<br />400 engine hours replaced the engines. He had spent almost the same amount as they cost<br />in the first place on parts and labor to repair them by the time he reached 400 hours.<br /><br />Are we all alone here, or are there more horror stories like this? Any suggestions on how we<br />can locate and speak to other Merc 2.8 Liter D-Tronic owners?!<br /><br />I've run on long enough, and look forward to your comments.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Jane
