Help they say I need a new engine. 2003 Sea Ray 220

[Bt Doctur]

Is this a Vortec motor , it would have 8 intake manifold bolts, not 12 and I have a late model set of those heads
$500 for one head plus labor is a RIP OFF $350 labor plus having your heads redone. Maybe 250-350 to have yours redone.

 

[Bt Doctur]

double post

 

[jayelwin]

Is this a Vortec motor , it would have 8 intake manifold bolts, not 12 and I have a late model set of those heads
$500 for one head plus labor is a RIP OFF $350 labor plus having your heads redone. Maybe 250-350 to have yours redone.

Well I don't know yet if it's the heads. And the price I quoted wasn't from them, it was from a google search on line as to "mercruiser heads". I'm definitely going to run any actual quotes by you.

 

[Bt Doctur]

my buddy should be off my trailer this week ,weather permitting should you consider calling me to repair it,.
Of you had to , get it to Anglers and Freddy could fork it onto my trailer

 

[jayelwin]

So Bt Doctur has the boat - I got it the hell out of the marina.

Turns out it is marina "policy" that any engine trouble like mine can only be fixed by them by replacing the motor. Yup! They don't remove heads or anything like that, you got bad compression they will only replace the motor. They say it's for "liability" reasons.

It's a really nice marina and I'm sure they do a fine job winterizing and wrapping boats, etc. but I'm not sure I could let them do any repairs. Not with a policy like that.

 

[Bob & Sue]

Turns out it is marina "policy" that any engine trouble like mine can only be fixed by them by replacing the motor. Yup! They don't remove heads or anything like that, you got bad compression they will only replace the motor. They say it's for "liability" reasons.

I call BS on liability it's sounds strictly like rake as much money out of your pocket as they can.

With a policy like that I wouldn't trust any diagnostics they performed, so if all you might need is new valve stem seals in one cylinder a $2.00 part. They would only put a new engine in?

Will they allow mobile mechanics to perform work like diagnostics, impellors etc? If they do I would get some advice from fellow boaters in your area on a good mechanic. Maybe Bt Doctor could work out if he does mobile work.

Best of Luck hope all goes well.

 

[dvx216]

I thought something was fishy with the Dx when the mechanic jumped right to a new motor.And people wonder why I do my own work. Great policy for the marina's bottom line.

 

[jayelwin]

I'm really at a loss based on a complete lack of trust now. Can I really trust they're going to winterize and maintain the boat properly. There are much smaller marinas around, BT Doctur recommends one I might move there when the season is over.

And no, they have a strict no one else repairs policy. Bt showed up with a 24 foot trailer and took the boat away.

By the way 4 hours after he took the boat Bt already had both heads off. Cylinder #5 and 7 had warped exhaust valves and the head gasket there blew out. He already dropped the heads off at the machinist. Even he was upset at the thought that the marina has been ripping people off for a ton of money. People who trust them and might not otherwise know better.

 

[barlow]

That marina would be empty in this country....!!

 

[rcknecht]

There is money on the Shrewsbury river the the marinas know it... They believe that people with boats, and live in that area, don't care about what they spend... I am glad to hear BT Doctur was able to help you out... If you want to come south to Barnegat Bay, you wont run into problems like you have experienced...

 

[dvx216]

I'm glad things all turned out for the better.It would be one thing if the mechanic was up front about how they handle matters like this but to just say you need a motor replace is Bull **** and dishonest and at this point I would not be interested in giving them any more of my business.It wouldn't surprise me if they had some deal on the side where they repair the motors they pull fix them and sell them.

 

[Bt Doctur]

pics coming shortly

 

[Bt Doctur]

 

[Bt Doctur]

cylinder 5 has 2 puckered valves, cylinder 7 unknown damage.Even numbered head looks ok but does shgow gasket damage.
slight rusting of bores 5 and 7 but this product "Free-All" actually removed the rust and they cleaned up really well.
Now, who thinks this motor needed replacing? Besides that marina.

 

[Bt Doctur]

One thing to add here is the motor has the "one step drain system" except for the fact the port block drain was plugged solid and would not have been able to drain the block. Without removing the quick disconnects you would never know this and would have resulted in a cracked block.
It would be beneficial for those persons who have this system to know how to remove the quick disconnect and probe the drain port and not to simply rely on the "drain system"

 

[wyrman]

Way to go Bt Doctur.

 

[Bt Doctur]

I think I should change my policy too, I found 4 bad valves so I should charge quadruple !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was standing right there and the man actually says" It`s our policy because of liability issues to rather replace the motor"
What does seem strange until I get the report from the machinist is the head gasket is damaged between the center cylinders
but 5 and 7 have the water damage.

 

[jayelwin]

Wow great pictures. I'm always amazed at what the marine environment can do to metal parts. I've pulled apart forty year old motorcycles and they never look that rusty.

I'm sure it will clean up well though.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[NorCal Boater]

The head gasket on the engine in my Cobalt was blown in the same spot but between 4 & 6. I did not have that kind of water intrusion.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Will update the post when I hear from the machine shop. Last time I had one look like that it had a crack under the exaust valve.
Just to update, machine shop confirms cracked valve seats as suspected. seems to be a possible casting problem with the 305 heads