Replace or fix

[BIGALF]

Where do I start. I was out today and all of a sudden there was a metal to metal sound. It looks like my Bravo III has a big problem. I can smell burnt oil if I stick my nose close to the outdrive. The lube oil was out of the resouvour that I checked before I ran today and it was full. I stopped the engine immediately and had it towed to the ramp. Do I start by taking it all apart or is it better to just buy an new upper and lower unit. Will it cost me about the same if I get it fixed or replaced? Sometimes the labor costs will make the decision. It is a 1997 5.7 EFI with the Bravo III and the outdrive never needed any fix until today. I guess I got my monies worth out of it but it's a big number if I replace it.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Replace or fix

There are a couple of rebuilders.Jasper is one I have used.They need your old in trade.
You get it and fill it with oil and go.It comes with a guarantee too.
You can't fix it yourself.The dealer will sell you a NEW unit.Or rebuild the old and it will cost more than a rebuilder.J

 

[BIGALF]

Re: Replace or fix

Will let you know how I make out. I will check the rebuilders available and the warranty they offer.

 

[BIGALF]

Re: Replace or fix

It wasn't the outdrive. a Spark plug broke inside the cylinder and that's the noise I heard. In the process of replacing all the plugs 2 more broke in removal. All material was removed from inside the cylinder and it looks like no damage to the cylinders. I will change the plugs ever year or 100 hours .The plugs were 3 years old and after the engine plugs rusted out 2 years ago and sprayed salt water all over the engine we think this was the cause. There is no water insude the cylinders and the engine runs great now.
The oil inside the engine enclouser was not from the seal on the outdrive but a crack in the resovour bottle.

 

[Don S]

Re: Replace or fix

What kind of spark plugs were they?

 

[BIGALF]

Re: Replace or fix

Don't know but I know the SeaRay service guy said they wouild only put the plugs that Mercruiser said was approved when I put the rebuilt Mercruiser engine in a few years ago because i asked if i should use the plattinum plugs and they said no.

 

[Don S]

Re: Replace or fix

Well, it sounds exactly like problems I have run into with Champion plugs, and yes, Merc has the Chumpion plug number in the service manual and on the engine decal.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Replace or fix

I would go back with some marine ac delcos.

 

[BIGALF]

Re: Replace or fix

Well in away I'm glad that someone had a problem like I just had. That makes me feel that it looks like we got the problem under control. It's the plugs not anything else............I hope!!!

 

[BIGALF]

Re: Replace or fix

Fixed the problem. The plugs were replaced with no damage to the engine. Took the boat out today and it ran the best it ever ran.