Bravo 3 no forward, stripped gear after 200 hours

paulswagelock

paulswagelock

Well-Known Member
Oct 25, 2010
2,203
pa
Boat Info
2018 SDX 270 OB 300 Verado
Engines
Verado 300
Was out with my friend this weekend. 2007 with a Merc 8.1 and a bravo 3. Nice cruise. Stopped to get some refreshments poured.
When he restarted, there was no forward operation. No noises, just a revving engine. Tried reverse - perfect. So in boaters fashion, we enjoyed a slow trip home in reverse for 2 miles or so.
Pulled the boat. Certified Merc mechanic had a look and says that the reversing gear (??) is completely stripped and the outdrive is ruined.

He has a full warranty, but mechanic says not warranty related, must have hit something. Props are spotless, not a mark. Worked perfect up until he shut it off for 5 minutes to pour.

Is there a common failure in a bravo 3 with 200 hours on it that displays this symptom? I am not buying he hit something, not even a scuff on the drive or props.

Thoughts?
 
Yes, pulled. That's where the stripped gear evaluation came from. I thought it would be a cable as well.
 
I'd get a second opinion. He has no basis to state that this is not a warranty issue BECAUSE something was hit with no reasonable proof of said. He may be right, he might not be right, and we are talking about alot of money here. I am not saying he is dishonest, maybe he is just a little quick to conclude the cause however, if he is dishonest, this is a way a mechanic can make alot of money because what they will do is tell you it is not a warranty item, and charge you for the repair, and then submit the warranty claim and get the money from merc too. Not saying he is mind you, just saying....trust but verify.
 
I assume the drive had sufficient lube before the issue?
 
Lube was correct amount and type. He is trying to turn in a claim with insurance and is forcing the mechanic to elevate it to Mercury for warranty. Chasing both avenues for now.
 
So he has a Bravo 3 XR drive. Still waiting on who is paying.

Here is the shocker - Total bill is $17,850.00
 
Nope - that is a new upper and lower outdrive assembly (XR), and labor. I think the reman drive is close to $14k or so.
 
paulswagelock said:
So he has a Bravo 3 XR drive. Still waiting on who is paying.

Here is the shocker - Total bill is $17,850.00
Click to expand...

Somebody is taking advantage of your buddy. Worst case the drive without props is $ 10k (there is a new BIII XR on eBay right now for $ 6900. Throw in a bellows set that probably isn't needed and misc parts and the parts bill should be less than $ 11k. There is not $ 6,850 in labor to R&R a BIII. Find a new mechanic pronto!

Henry
 
I thought the same thing - $5k too high. However, his insurance adjuster said the price is fine, and as long as the surveyor agrees it was damage from a strike, they will pay that amount. The dealer has a good reputation in the area.
 
That price is absolutely absurd for what is being described. I would love to see a break down of parts and labor.
 
So here is the twist. Insurance, surveyor and dealer all agree to price. Check on the way.

He calls to check for availability on the XR drive. Gives the parts warehouse his current serial number, and they tell him it is not an XR but an X, and it is $7000 cheaper. Calls 2 more places, gives current serial number, and they confirm Bravo 3 X, not XR, and $7000 less.

So, the certified Merc repair people missed it, the insurance company missed it, the surveyor missed it. He has an $18k check coming, and needs less than $10k now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,217
Messages
1,428,797
Members
61,114
Latest member
Hercy911
Back
Top