New Boat Owner Blues on a Used Boat

atxmudder

Member
Dec 24, 2015
32
Austin Texas
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!

 
Not sure what to even say about this. Definitely a downer for sure. Hopefully they make good on the engine warranty without any hassle. Keep us updated. Very sorry to hear of your troubles.

One other thing....if I am reading your post correctly it sounds as if it was a quart low on oil. That shouldn't be low enough to cause the engine to seize. Now if they forgot to put oil in the engine when they installed it that is another story.
 
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ATX,

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I would be interested to know what happened to engine #2.
 
Man, there's nothing worse than getting a "new to you" boat, happy about the "deal", and then almost immediately dropping thousands into it to make it "right".

(Ask me how I know.)

Your situation is even worse since it went bad again so quickly, but at least it will be under warranty now. That's some comfort, at least financially. It doesn't give you back your lost boating time but at least it's no more $$$ out of your pocket.

Let us know how it works out......it's a terrible feeling, I know, but once they strip down the bad engine and dress the replacement and drop it in, which I'm willing to bet they are going to do with extreme attention to detail, you'll once again love your boat and put the bad feelings behind you.
 
Sounds like they either leaked oil out and cleaned it up a bit or just missed filling with oil. I would be interested to k ow if the fired up and tested the engine before giving the boat back to you. I am hoping they stand behind this and replace with a new engine!
 
It was not an oil issue, something internal and Eagle Engine will perform that inspection on their own. There was plenty of oil in the motor, but that was clearly and completly cratered. New Motor is on it's way, hoping for an expedite/priority service.
 
It was not an oil issue, something internal and Eagle Engine will perform that inspection on their own. There was plenty of oil in the motor, but that was clearly and completly cratered. New Motor is on it's way, hoping for an expedite/priority service.

Glad to hear they are sending another one. Keep us updated.
 
It sucks about all the trouble you have been having. We have all been there one time or another. Just not that many quality mechanics to go around.
Too many mechanics learning how to repair boats on your dime. I try to do what repairs I can handle.

Best of luck with the new motor. Follow break in proceedures
 
It was not an oil issue, something internal and Eagle Engine will perform that inspection on their own. There was plenty of oil in the motor, but that was clearly and completly cratered. New Motor is on it's way, hoping for an expedite/priority service.

Question? Is this a new motor or rebuilt?
 
New...5.7l 12 bolt intake to pair with my MEFI I

That is very weird on a new engine. The reason I asked is rebuilt engines IMHO suck. In todays world it's all about how fast they can do it and get the $$$$$. When I did my engines I went with new long blocks W/ the tin and roller cams . I'm interested in how you make out.
 
That is very weird on a new engine. The reason I asked is rebuilt engines IMHO suck. In todays world it's all about how fast they can do it and get the $$$$$. When I did my engines I went with new long blocks W/ the tin and roller cams . I'm interested in how you make out.
Mine is new as well.... GM marine crate long block dressed...tins, pan, timing cover on new block and heads. Eagles part number is 2544-s I believe. They were the only shop in Austin that seemed to offer a new long block.
 
man what an awful experience , first off im having a hard time with the time line,,,I know you had a survey, but did the dealer/ mechanic inspect the boat prior to purchase,,if so and all those problems were present, I would have walked, second after said dealer did all repairs, and then did the winterization, as well as spring startup, thats when you noticed cracked blocks,,,if so...THEIR FAULT,,,WOULD NOT OF LET THAT GO ,,,,,,

I know hindsight advice always suck, but here is some future information , a boat that size and that year is always better to spend money on complete mechanical inspections ie/ outdrive and motor, instead of a survey,, while surveys are always a wise choice on older boats or bigger boats with lots of electronics and plumbing, and boats primarily moored in the water.
smaller boats rarely benefit from a survey,, a lot of the things a surveyor does on this size boat can be done by a qualified mercruiser mechanic, i/e check bilg pump lights and electrical and visually inspect hull and interior, but the mechanic can also do a compression check, and pull the outdrive for visual inspections finding the most costly of potential repairs, all of this at a minimal cost, once that is done then the price would get re negotiated

it sounds as though you had a mechanic look at it, but i cant tell if it was before or after the purchase,,,,either way,,, they sound like an absolute horrible repair facility,,

I hope going forward this experience doesn't leave a bad taste,, and that you find many years of boating fun for you and your family
 
Indeed...I do have an update! Took Delivery yesterday, and splashed her today! She's running great....still have about 25 hours of break in time...Running strong and all vital signs are ideal!!!

Now to make up for lost summer...and a killer summer it has been....

Duh, forgot to mention..the first engine melted piston/cylindar 5...the paint vaporized on the entire area of the block...they scoped it with a camera...The replacement was under full warranty. Thank fully, the shop took it out on the Lake for two hours of run time/adjustments! It run's awesome now!!!
 
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Thanks for the update and Enjoy! Take care of her and she'll never let you down. We are presently enjoying season 18 with our 230. By the way, there's a secret compartment (at least to me) located in port console, which is accessible by lifting the port bow backrest/cushion from bottom. The cushion is hinged at the top. I didn't find it right away. You may have found it immediately - I did not.
 

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