atxmudder
Member
- Dec 24, 2015
- 32
- Boat Info
- 2001 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck | 5.7L EFI
Previous
1997 Sea Ray 230 Bow Rider Signature
- Engines
- 5.7L EFI Mercruiser|Bravo III outdrive
Good Afternoon Gentlemen...
I posted the following before:
Earlier in the year (12/2015) I bought a used 97 Sea Ray 230 Bowrider with the 5.7Efl Merc and a Bravo III....
Having done a fair amount of research, I knew to have both a mechanical and physical inspection done prior. I found a surveyor (whom did not perform any mechanical inspection, other than cursory) and the local SR dealer to perform the mechanical inspection. Without knowing what I know now, I used the surveyors report to negotiate a price and made the purchase. I promptly took it out on the lake 1 time, and the following day I took it to the dealer to have the mechanicals inspected and serviced. Much to my dismay, the drive needed all three bellows, trim sending units, u-joint and shaft, skeg and cav repair, props resurfaced and balanced and a host of other work to the tune of 6800.00. We used the boat 1 time only to find they forgot to set the gear lash correctly and it made a horrible noise near or at idle...Took it back and they fixed it and winterized the boat. During this time, I also opted for the recommended impeller replacement for which they discovered parts in the brady valve that had to be cleaned out. Drive oil kept reducing, and I called, they said to top it off and call if it keeps happening. Took it out one more time, and had to fill the drive oil and noticed the performance was bad and a bunch of water was now in the bilge. Took it back and they informed me I had a cracked block.
I took the boat to another dealer and closer (as the first dealer disclaimed any responsibility - despite their inspection and the cooling system work they did) so, having lost faith I found some one else to take it to. Fortunately this shop only used NEW marine crate motors (not rebuilt, reman or otherwise). I went to view the carcass of the old engine today and it was cracked...on both sides...the valley showed internal cracks, greater than the exterior cracks. That motor was cratered.
I cannot help but feel the other shop contributed either by missing a cracked block (which they felt was there before purchase) or by not completing the cooling system repair fully. The new motor was almost 7000.00, so that "Deal" if found was no deal at all. With the money I now have in this...it will be enjoyed far longer than it would have otherwise.
ON a side note, I do love the boat...and cosmetically, it look amazing now that I have done the work.
I took Delivery of the Boat Yesterday after receiving a brand new GM Marine Crate Long Block (dressed). This was a 12 bolt intake version so not the newer vortec heads (I would have had to have the MEFI 1 reprogrammed and no one wanted to touch it or guarantee a successful flash to the unit). The process took almost 4 weeks from the time I dropped the boat off to the new shop to get and install the motor (i was behind many other projects). Everything looked fantastic except for a dirty bilge which they were positive they had cleaned (in hindsight it was oil from the test run - on muff's at the shop) and probably missed due to the angle the boat was at on the trailer. I called re the bilge and they suggested Dawn and some water during the first break in run. End of Day, we dropped in at our community launch ramp (3 minutes or so from my house) and we decided to motor down to a restaurant at the other end of the lake as a quick break in run. About 1/2 way there or 30 minutes the motor started running really strange and losing RPM's. We pulled over, shut it down and check the oil, found none or stray amounts on the dipstick and added the only quart we had in the boat as a spare. Oil showed on the dipstick and we started her back up. Temps were good, oil pressure was good...within 20 minutes of motoring back, the engine seized (showing oil pressure @ 15/20 psi) and good temps....Tow Back...Will update as I find out more...So I dropped the boat back off at the dealer this AM and we will see what they come back with!
I posted the following before:
Earlier in the year (12/2015) I bought a used 97 Sea Ray 230 Bowrider with the 5.7Efl Merc and a Bravo III....
Having done a fair amount of research, I knew to have both a mechanical and physical inspection done prior. I found a surveyor (whom did not perform any mechanical inspection, other than cursory) and the local SR dealer to perform the mechanical inspection. Without knowing what I know now, I used the surveyors report to negotiate a price and made the purchase. I promptly took it out on the lake 1 time, and the following day I took it to the dealer to have the mechanicals inspected and serviced. Much to my dismay, the drive needed all three bellows, trim sending units, u-joint and shaft, skeg and cav repair, props resurfaced and balanced and a host of other work to the tune of 6800.00. We used the boat 1 time only to find they forgot to set the gear lash correctly and it made a horrible noise near or at idle...Took it back and they fixed it and winterized the boat. During this time, I also opted for the recommended impeller replacement for which they discovered parts in the brady valve that had to be cleaned out. Drive oil kept reducing, and I called, they said to top it off and call if it keeps happening. Took it out one more time, and had to fill the drive oil and noticed the performance was bad and a bunch of water was now in the bilge. Took it back and they informed me I had a cracked block.
I took the boat to another dealer and closer (as the first dealer disclaimed any responsibility - despite their inspection and the cooling system work they did) so, having lost faith I found some one else to take it to. Fortunately this shop only used NEW marine crate motors (not rebuilt, reman or otherwise). I went to view the carcass of the old engine today and it was cracked...on both sides...the valley showed internal cracks, greater than the exterior cracks. That motor was cratered.
I cannot help but feel the other shop contributed either by missing a cracked block (which they felt was there before purchase) or by not completing the cooling system repair fully. The new motor was almost 7000.00, so that "Deal" if found was no deal at all. With the money I now have in this...it will be enjoyed far longer than it would have otherwise.
ON a side note, I do love the boat...and cosmetically, it look amazing now that I have done the work.
I took Delivery of the Boat Yesterday after receiving a brand new GM Marine Crate Long Block (dressed). This was a 12 bolt intake version so not the newer vortec heads (I would have had to have the MEFI 1 reprogrammed and no one wanted to touch it or guarantee a successful flash to the unit). The process took almost 4 weeks from the time I dropped the boat off to the new shop to get and install the motor (i was behind many other projects). Everything looked fantastic except for a dirty bilge which they were positive they had cleaned (in hindsight it was oil from the test run - on muff's at the shop) and probably missed due to the angle the boat was at on the trailer. I called re the bilge and they suggested Dawn and some water during the first break in run. End of Day, we dropped in at our community launch ramp (3 minutes or so from my house) and we decided to motor down to a restaurant at the other end of the lake as a quick break in run. About 1/2 way there or 30 minutes the motor started running really strange and losing RPM's. We pulled over, shut it down and check the oil, found none or stray amounts on the dipstick and added the only quart we had in the boat as a spare. Oil showed on the dipstick and we started her back up. Temps were good, oil pressure was good...within 20 minutes of motoring back, the engine seized (showing oil pressure @ 15/20 psi) and good temps....Tow Back...Will update as I find out more...So I dropped the boat back off at the dealer this AM and we will see what they come back with!