$40,000 engine repair

businessjett

businessjett

Member
Jun 10, 2021
79
Mooloolaba Sunshine Coast Qld Australia
Boat Info
2004 SeaRay 275 ( 260DA in USA )
#USSERR7124K304

5.0 Mercruiser Bravo 3 leg
Engines
2004 5.0 Mercruiser with Bravo 3
Serial No OM684005
I have a 2004 Sea Ray 275 Sundancer. Had it about a year.

Its over heating . It was lifted out today. The mechanic found the hose that takes the water that goes from the leg into the engine has a big kink in it. The mechanic says to replace this pipe the engine needs to be removed.

He also said soon the risers and bellows will need to be replaced.

But also there is an issue with the transom assembly.

He said to get all this sorted could be as much as $40k.

He is sending me a report in a few days time. This mechanic is very recommended in the area.

He also showed me previously the out drive has been considerable ‘bogged’ up probably due to corrosion & expects this will great an issues for me in the future .

He said it’s basically not sea worthy.

I will post what he has to say & any guidance would be appreciated
77EF64C1-69E5-4DC5-ADBB-019E0DB35516.jpeg
 
It's been a few years since my re-power but even with inflation, 40k might get you a complete re-power with brand new 5.0 mpi, transom assembly and outlive... all in. Have you checked out the prices of what's available?
 
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Sounds like a transom rebuild is also being considered. I hope not.
 
There are so many times I am grateful of my little 4.3’s and Alpha Ones.

I hope your mechanic is over-estimating.

I just installed two new transom assemblies and yoke assemblies in both of my Alphas two years ago. Even doing it myself before Joeflation was terribly expensive.

What else would you do while the engine room is clear? New water heater, duckbills, other maintenance?
 
The 275 Sundancer is the international version of the 260 Sundancer in the US. Based on your reports I am going to take a guess and think that the kink in the pickup hose may be related to "bravoitis" or the closing/crushing of the hose entry through the transom assembly. The kink may be related to the hose collapsing due to the suction created by the water pumps.

If this is the case then I would recommend bypassing the water pickup through the lower unit and installing a through hull with seacock and strainer in the engine compartment to feed the water pump. If you do a search on "bravoitis" you will find a lot of material regarding this. If this is the case then you may not even need to remove the engine.

You also mentioned risers and bellows (not sure if you meant elbows) but either way all of those would be normal maintenance items. Rusting in the risers and elbows can cause blockages decreasing engine cooling leading to an increase in heat. When the rust eventually breaks through the water will run into your engine exhaust and flood your engine. If you have a "wet" riser with water channels running through these are know to rust through and need replacing If these are needed they can be expensive but not doing them will almost certainly lead to having to replace an engine.

-Kevin
 
Last summer I spent about $2k fixing Bravoitis and all new outdrive stuff. then new risers, mans, elbows; impeller, $400 thermostat housing, parts and labor, the whole shebang with OEM Mercruiser parts for $1800. May replace the coupler this fall and was quoted $1600 pull and install the outdrive & engine, including parts. Throw in some miscellaneous costs like shop rags and oil disposal.
So what we got here. $6k tops.
How this is $40k is beyond comprehension.
And how is a transom assembly on a ‘04 bad? I got a ‘91 and it’s rock solid.
So $34000 to replace a transom assembly? I’d sink that bitch and file insurance claim.
 
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Twin 5.0efi with bravo 2 setups,

2 motors pulled
2 Brand new transom assemblies with bell housings/ bellows/outdrive rams
2 outdrives overhauled with drive yoke joint assemblies and seal and many other parts plus.
2 motor tune ups
2 motor re installs

$22k USD parts and labor,
and about 3k of that was other thinks like bottom paint yard storage

and thats in NY, I would say your getting the shaft
 
Pirate Lady said:
And how is a transom assembly on a ‘04 bad? I got a ‘91 and it’s rock solid.
Click to expand...

If you're the previous owner of my boat, you hit something and don't dislose it, then I see the invoice for it later when going through receipts I got after the fact :eek:
 
Pirate Lady said:
And how is a transom assembly on a ‘04 bad? I got a ‘91 and it’s rock solid.
Click to expand...

If that crappy steering pin starts to leak it can be bad news for a transom assembly. So many other factors too.

My inlaw's have a '98 270 DA. Their transom assembly was replaced about 3 seasons ago and we had it replaced. It was leadking for 2-3 seasons before that, with water constantly in the bilge. The salt water in there also corroded the oil pan, pulleys, alternator, etc. We had all that stuff replaced when the engine was pulled out. Total job was about $10k. TA parts alone was like $3k+
 
Transom assembly =3500
bravo 2 outdrive =9000
7.4 turn key motor =16000

Total =28,500

Practically a brand new boat = priceless
 
5.0 isn't enough motor for that boat, Go with a 6.2 and B3..
If your transom or stringers are soft I'd forget about it.
That 40k is way high.
 
jonl21 said:
Transom assembly =3500
bravo 2 outdrive =9000
7.4 turn key motor =16000

Total =28,500

Practically a brand new boat = priceless
Click to expand...
I wonder how many hours labour involved to fix all this ? Not that I have the money for it. I'm going to have to find a really cheap bandaid until I rob a bank
 
scoflaw said:
5.0 isn't enough motor for that boat, Go with a 6.2 and B3..
If your transom or stringers are soft I'd forget about it.
That 40k is way high.
Click to expand...
Yes the 5 is barely acceptable. I'm not plotting to kill my wife so I can get a brand new 7.4
 
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