Nightmare scenario

nadylime

New Member
Aug 20, 2019
14
Atlanta, GA
Boat Info
2006 240 Sun Deck
Engines
5.0L Mercruiser.....replaced in 2020 with a remanufactured Engine
Hi folks, I wanted to share my last couple years experience with my 2006 240 Sundeck and get your feedback/comments.

If you don't mind, go easy on me personally....looking back, I see that I made plenty of mistakes, and I would do a lot differently if given the chance. Also, keep in mind that I am not a gearhead or know much about boats in general....I just enjoy being on the water with my family & friends:)

I bought the boat early 2016 from a very honest gentleman. He had all the maintenance records, and the boat was in pristine condition. We had the boat on the water nearly every weekend and had zero maintenance issues the entire year. We had a blast with the boat that year.

I winterized the boat over the winter (not really needed in North FL, but anyways..). In early 2017 I took the boat to a local shop and told them to do a full maintenance on the boat and get it ready for the season. This is when my problems began.

They told me they were going to replace the water pump, change the oil, and complete a few other items. I agreed. The first time I dropped the boat in the water it seemingly ran very well, but after about three minutes of running under full power, the engine overheated. I looked in the engine compartment, and it was filling up with water, while engine appeared to be getting none. We limped back to the dock and towed the boat back to the shop. When they originally replaced the water pump they did not connect the outlet hose to the engine, so the engine compartment was just filling with water, and nothing was reaching the engine. They connected the hose properly and sent me on my way.

I dropped the boat in the water about a week later and it seemed to be running well. We ran down the river about 40 minutes, and alarm bells started going off. The oil gauge showed zero oil pressure. I turned off the engine and noticed that the engine compartment was filled with oil. I checked the engine, and there was zero oil showing on the dipstick. I towed the boat back and brought it to a different shop. They couldn't find any leaks, and said it appeared that the oil filter wasn't tightened properly. They cleaned up the mess and sent me on my way with instructions to keep an eye on the oil levels.

The next time I took the boat out, I noticed that it was running sluggishly and the engine seemed to be at less than full power. I brought the boat back to a reputable shop in the area and had them check it out. They completed a leak down test and said that one of the cylinders was bad. They suggested that I take the boat back to the original shop and make them fix the problem.

I did just that, and the original shop did a head job. I'm not sure exactly what they did, but they said they gave me a really good deal and basically only charged me cost. The total was around $1,200 I believe. I dropped the boat on the water and it did not run right so I took it back to them. They messed around for another month or so and said it was right. I dropped it in the water, and didn't even leave the dock - it was running rough and wouldn't even idle. I called the shop and they made all sorts of excuses why it wasn't anything they could fix, so I brought it to another shop.

By now we're mid-2018. Every time I brought it from shop to shop it would take them a month or so to look at it, another month to get parts....it wouldn't run right, and the cycle would start all over again. I lived in a small rural town in North FL, and there aren't many reputable mechanics in the area, and the few mechanics that are there are slammed busy.

We then moved to Atlanta, and I found a good reputable shop up there, so I brought the boat to them.....still running rough and not water-ready in the least. The new shop ran some tests and said they needed to tear the engine down and go through the heads. It took them several months to complete this, but when they were done ($2,500 later) the boat seemed to be running well. We put the boat on the water for one afternoon (it ran well).....the next week the weather got cold so I had to winterize the boat.

Early 2019 - I again brought the boat to the shop and asked them to get the boat ready for the water. They changed the oil, replaced some things and did general maintenance on the boat (another $2,000), lake tested it, and said it was ready to go. I dropped the boat on the water and ran it around for about 10 minutes.....and the engine started making a knocking sound. It was intermittent and was hard to tell exactly where it was coming from, but it sounded like it was coming deep from the engine. I towed the boat back to the shop and let them listen to it. They told me that they couldn't tell exactly what the issue was, but recommended I get a new engine.

So here I am today.....I've wasted 2 great boating seasons, and spent about $6k on the boat....and now I need to replace the engine.

If anyone cares to comment, here are the things that I'd love some insight on:
  • Based on these details, does it sound like the original shop caused these issues?
  • If so, do you think I could take legal action against him (not sure about statute of limitations) for the engine replacement....and possibly the $$ I've spent in the process?
  • Regarding a new engine...I am looking at a Michigan Motorz silver package Mercruiser 5.7 - does anyone have any experience with this engine?
  • I also had a mechanic that said he could get a new Mercruiser small block for about $3,500 and put my components on there - any advice one way or another on this?

I am not made of money, and I'm looking for the best way to get back on the water without spending an arm and a leg.....without repeating the mistakes of the past (putting bandaids on a festering wound) which put me in this position in the first place.

All feedback is welcomed - thanks!!
 
How many hours are on the engine
Is the engine now the 350 MAG with Bravo 3
 
Sorry, but I don’t know the exact answer to either of these questions.

I believe there are only a few hundred hours on the engine.

I don’t know the exact engine other than a Mercuiser 5.7

I wish I knew a little more about the guys of the engine, but I don’t.
 
Sounds like the first shop f'd up your boat. Not putting the water pump hose back on properly is just nonsense. That caused you engine to overheat which can lead to a whole host of problems. Putting the hose on and saying "good luck" was bull chit. Then loosing oil at speed likely toasted the internals.

Getting a new/rebuilt engine is probably the right recommendation. If your engine components are in good shape, the small block can work for you. But if you're afraid of further failures of the bolt on components, new stuff is probably better.

I would look into going after the first shop, but it might be a major uphill battle.

It sucks. Good luck man.
 
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If you are replacing the engine and you depend on a mechanic for EVERYTHING, then I would recommend a new COMPLETE engine assembly.

Transferring you old accessories to a new long block is labor $$ and if one or more of those used parts needs to be replaced next season, you’ll be paying again to replace it.

A new complete engine includes everything! Oil pan to fuel injectors, manifolds, computer etc.

It is more money initially, but will save you in the long run.

FYI, the previous owner of my 2007 240 Sundeck depended on the marina for everything. I have their maintenance records. Annual maintenance and repairs were over $5,000 per year.
 
Just my thoughts and I may be way off base. IF your current engine is giving you the fits due to whatever reasons, your fault, their fault, or no ones fault. Why would you put some of your parts on the new block? Start new and fresh.
 
At the risk of over-simplification, to keep a boat running you need to be one of two things. 1) made of money, or 2) mechanically inclined.

Anytime you put yourself at the mercy of a third party you are...well...at their mercy. I rely on mechanics for the big stuff, but for things like impeller changes, oil changes, tune-ups, winterizing, etc. I do that work myself. The more you can learn about ongoing maintenance, the more confident you will be that it was done right. Doing so will also serve to recharge your BS detector for when you do need to call in a pro.

It really does sound like that first shop trashed your motor, particularly when it ran out of oil. As to whether you can be made whole by them, it probably depends on how well you have documented everything. You may be able to persevere in small claims court. Either way, I think a new engine block is in your future.
 
Sorry to hear this, but like others have said - the first shop screwed the pooch on your engine - although not cheap, the best course for you now is to go with the Michigan Motorz complete engine - from what I have heard they are a good outfit.

  • Based on these details, does it sound like the original shop caused these issues? Yes, absolutely
  • If so, do you think I could take legal action against him (not sure about statute of limitations) for the engine replacement....and possibly the $$ I've spent in the process? I don't know, but it's work a meeting with an attorney to find out.
  • Regarding a new engine...I am looking at a Michigan Motorz silver package Mercruiser 5.7 - does anyone have any experience with this engine? Not with Michagan Motorz, but have heard good things about them. Mercruiser 5.7 is a small block chevy and a work horse motor - it's in 1000's of GM cars and trucks and boats.
  • I also had a mechanic that said he could get a new Mercruiser small block for about $3,500 and put my components on there - any advice one way or another on this? Go with the full package as others have said.
  • Find a good / honest mechanic - there are members here in the Atlanta / Lake Lanier area that I am sure could make recommendations.
 
Another option you might research is factory remanufacturing through Mercury.

https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/engines/inboard-and-sterndrive/remanufacturing/

I don't know how the price compares but you would be getting your engine restored back to factory specs with a factory warranty, installed by a factory certified dealer, which might be a valuable piece of mind with your history of issues.

Also, when it comes to resale, you won't have to explain the 3rd party engine you have in the boat.

I'm not saying it is a better option because I don't know the cost, but it may be worth looking into.

Call the factory first, they have really helpful people who can talk tou through the program. They can tell you what they offer and how it works.

Your situation sucks and you probably feel like you screwed up. This might get you back in the right path and enjoying boating again, which is what it is all about.
 
Thanks everyone for the encouraging replies....I agree that the complete engine sounds like the best way to go.

I may check out what would be involved with small claims court to recoup some of the costs from the original mechanic.

I'd like to work on the engine a bit more as well, but the inboard engine and tight work-space have deterred me a bit.

Funny story (sort-of)....when the most recent mechanic was trying to figure out where the knocking was coming from, he tried climbing halfway through the side-hole next to the engine compartment where you access the batteries in order to get closer to the back of the engine. When he tried backing out he couldn't, he got stuck.....real good. He & I had brought the boat to the lake to check it out, and there was nobody else out there to help. He thrashed around for quite a bit and started to panic. I tried to help him out, and finally got him out by grabbing his belt loops and literally hauling him out of there....all scraped up.

It's a little funny to think about after the fact, but I assure you it wasn't a bit funny to him.

Thanks again all, and take care!
 
Here’s another benefit to buying a complete new engine.......
You get to keep the old one. You can plop it in the garage and study it. You will learn a lot about your boat with no fears of breaking anything!
 
Since being mechanically inclined or made of money can be hard to achieve, I want to strongly encourage you to develop a new habit. Ideally, do this each time you use the boat, but at the very least, when it hasn't been run recently or after it's been worked on.

Inspect the engine compartment before starting, and the engine while running before leaving the dock. This habit would've saved your engine, whether it was the overheating or lack of oil that destroyed it.

First smell for gas. Then look for oil and water leaks, loose or missing parts etc. Then check levels of engine oil and drive lube and coolant if you have it. Then start the engine and look again for oil and water leaks. Listen for rattles, squeaks or any other unusual noise.

This is easy - no mechanical inclination needed and it only takes minutes.
 
I can't believe any of these shops didn't sea trial the boat after a repair OR at least hook up muffs and run it on land. That should be your first indication of a bad shop. It's like taking a car for a test drive after a repair. I'm also a bit surprised the last shop didn't pick up any issues on the tear down and reassembly.

Good luck ! Remember it's not the boat's fault, look for a merc authorized dealer and take it there. if you get a new short or long block they'll at warranty it at least :)
 
Since being mechanically inclined or made of money can be hard to achieve, I want to strongly encourage you to develop a new habit. Ideally, do this each time you use the boat, but at the very least, when it hasn't been run recently or after it's been worked on.

Inspect the engine compartment before starting, and the engine while running before leaving the dock. This habit would've saved your engine, whether it was the overheating or lack of oil that destroyed it.

First smell for gas. Then look for oil and water leaks, loose or missing parts etc. Then check levels of engine oil and drive lube and coolant if you have it. Then start the engine and look again for oil and water leaks. Listen for rattles, squeaks or any other unusual noise.

This is easy - no mechanical inclination needed and it only takes minutes.
Great advice here.

You can’t treat your boat like a car. Many people don’t open the hood of the car except for an oil change every 150 hours or so, and it’s not an issue.

Boats need much more attention due to the environment and all of the systems.
 
Id go for the mercury reman or a new engine complete in both cases....start out fresh with a new warrenty and treat it right...do the routine inspections and maintenance. It will treat you well ..Rollercoastr is so right on target regarding the inspections. Every time i use my boat (at least 2x per week or more) i pop open the hatch, do a visual inspection looking for water leaks , fuel etc. Pull the dip sticks, look at the oil condition and level, Then I fire up the engines and let them warm up for a good five minutes. Do another quick check and close the hatch. Leave the dock knowing all is good. Never lost a motor in 40+ years boating many with over 2500 hrs on them. There are a lot of good marine mechanics out there and a ton of hacks... You experienced a piss poor shop who should be shut down. Ive seen and heard the stories over the years and unfortunately they prey on the people who aren't mechanically inclined or little experience. It shouldn't be that way however it can be. If you find a good shop develop a relationship with them, have them show you what they are doing and ask questions. Have them help educate you.. If they are any good they will welcome your questions and show and help you on the maintenance of your boat. Sometimes they are not the cheapest....
 

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