Just Purchased, 1993 2502

[frankie g]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

Keep looking at the BIG picture, everything you do will make her look and command better ! hec, when I can't use mine I'll always find an excuse to just get in her and fiddle around, just to be there is satisfying. It'll get done ...have patience and just enjoy! And when it's time to SPLASH her Oh Wow! Be cool !

 

[lyle]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

don't forget to crack the champaign bottle across her bow......would "ENDEAVOR" be an appropriate name ...(LOL)

 

[Hooked on Deanna]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

Installing water pumps and thermostats this weekend...Any words of advice or the proper procedure for that matter. I installed pumps several years ago and remember having problems with the shift link.

 

[frankie g]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

I keep mine in N, I have a 150 saltwater 2 stroke, but I would make a call to a local mechanic to make sure, and buy a good repair manual from merc ( Sedloc sucks ) for other questions or problems. Mind as well do the poppet valves also. and make sure both engines have a good water/fuel separator w/ 10 micron filters. Racor is very well trusted in my neck of the woods, did you get the fuel tank sucked and cleaned. change lower unit fluid, grease splines, steering, check any hydralic fliuds, make sure horn, trim tabs, power trim all work, check batteries, make sure you have an anchor and rode aboard, safety stuff, VHF, and throw some Star-Tron in the gas to clean any carbon. use Tron all the time and carbon is kept to a min.

 

[Hooked on Deanna]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

Thanks for the recommendations, I have answered all but a few of your points. I only have ~50 gallons of gas (190 gal tank) and I'm planning to siphon some and test. A friend from work is an ex-Mercury mechanic and has offered to help with the pumps. The engines ran good on a spare tank.

On another topic...I just discovered that the complete enclosure, I thought was shot, is in excellent condition after a simple soap and water wash. This is an amazing discovery! The glass is as clear as new...Now I only need to replace the top. Wanted black sunbrella but why spend the money now???

Every things works except the port side Bow-Up switch for my tabs...Switched wires and it appears to be the rocker switch. The electrical panel looks untouched, and all lights work.

 

[Hooked on Deanna]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

I think I discovered why the previous owner couldn't get the starboard side engine to start. When I purchased the boat and paid to get the engines running the dealer used a portable tank to start the engines for fear the gas was bad from sitting. In the process of getting some gas to look at I discovered that the port side fuel line primer bulb isn't working; when I attempted to pump some gas into a jar to check for water. The starboard side line works fine. I say the bulb because I was able to blow gas through the canister filter and the supply side fuel line provided a mouth full of gas

I haven't witnessed any water form in the jar of gas I was able to pump out (1/2 gal is all I recovered). I'm sure this doesn't mean the gas is good, but what else can I do other than have it filtered????

 

[Hooked on Deanna]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

I'm goofy...I got the fuel line bulb to prime. I had air trapped in the line and it wouldn't allow it to prime..I guess. After I got it to prime I read somewhere that you are supposed to open the gas cap. It's working so I'll use the new fuel line and bulb as a backup. Any comments???

I installed a battery charger, replaced the live-well, strainer (plastic..the other two thru hull strainers are bronze and in good condition) this past Saturday. Not sure if Bayliner mixed bronze and plastic or the other two were upgrades.

I plan on installing new water pumps, stats, and run the engines this coming Saturday. I found this web site with water pump installation directions:

If all goes good I will paint the bottom and outboards the following weekend. I'm ordering a new Bimini and should have it installed by the end of the month. I'll take progress picture and post.

 

[Sea Schaul]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

You're making good progress. My should be splashed by this Saturday.

 

[Hooked on Deanna]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

Where is the thermostat on my 175 Hp Mercur? Want to replace. I just installed new water pumps, wasn't too bad.

 

[Hooked on Deanna]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

Ok...The pumps are done. Had to redo the counter rotation side because I didn't shift the into reverse (with standard rotation you shift into forward when seating the drive shaft..) when I seated the drive shaft.

Regarding the pumps:
I get a steady stream from the port engine and pulses of water from the pee hose on the starboard. Any ideas what this may be? I plan on replacing the stats but I'm not sure where they are located. There are two 90deg hose fittings attached to a two screw flange at the top of both cylinders. Does this OB have two stats on each engine?

Regarding the engines:
I was happy to confirm the engines running status...they fired right up! I discovered a puddle of two cycle oil in the engine bay and traced the problem to a broken oil tank cap. I used epoxy to repair the cracked cap, and then noticed oil leak (very little) from under the cap. Looks like the gasket is missing and the cap was being over tightened to gain a seal..ergo busted cap! A $52 cap assembly because of a $2 seal I think I saved the cap assembly with the repair, but I will keep an eye on it after I get some new seals.

I'm on hold for a few weeks..Son's graduating college and Mom is spending like we don't own a boat... Help with the stats/water pulsing from the telltale would be appreciated...

 

[Hooked on Deanna]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

Thermostats, Good News and Bad News...

Well my 1993 175 hp mecurs have 2 thermostats on each block at the top of the cylinder heads. Each stat housing has 2 screws for a total of 8 screws. I had 2 of the 8 screws wrench off (seized up, Bad News). The stats look shot; full of white powder buildup and coroded. The hoses, 90 deg fittings, and housing look good (no build up in them!). The cylinder chamber viewed from the stat opening looks clean! (clean cooling passages, Good News!).

Now I have to figure out the best way to remove the broken off screws. The screws broke at the head so I have plenty of vise grip area. I plan on soaking the screws with a high quality penetrating fluid. This is a minor issue if I can get the screws out without stripping the aluminum cylinder head. I believe I should heat the area to take advantage of the expansion difference between aluminum and stainless steel. The threaded hole will expanded more than the stainless and should make removal easier. Any comments???

 

[Hooked on Deanna]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

Heated the bolt and sprayed with PB blaster. Allowed it to sit for 2 hours. Locked down vise grips heated again tried to loosen with no luck. Getting worried that this is going to turn into a big job! Will get a tig welder (where?) and try that method. I didn't like the vise grip idea because I've had mixed luck over the years gripping threads to remove broken screws. I don't have the long nose type vise grips, are they better for this task?

 

[Hooked on Deanna]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

Problem Solved!

Here's what I did with the help of an experienced mechanic...We used the 1/4" of exposed stud and slipped a bushing over the stud. The bushing allowed us to find center. Using the center we drilled a .187 hole thru the stud. We then step'd up to a letter "F" drill (~.257") and drilled thru the stud (the stud was about 1/4" shorted then the tapped hole...easy to know your thru the stud). We used vice grips to crush the remaining stud and it practically fell out!

The mechanic said he would never use an easy-out in this situation! Too risky!
I got marine service estimates of $300 - $400 to make this repair...If all went well! One shop suggested I would need new head covers!!!!

 

[Sea Schaul]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

That's great, I'm glad to see it worked out.

 

[Hooked on Deanna]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

I just started the engines to check for leaks and proper water flow thru the telltale/pee hole...No leaks - I was concerned about leaks because there was some erosion around the thermostat seat on the head cover. I wiped, with Permatex, any areas that looked eroded larger than the thermostat seal.

The telltale had a steady stream of water after about 4 minutes run time. I checked the water temperature and it was just above the 143 degF thermostat setting. These are 1993 175 Hp classics, and I can say for sure that with new impellers and thermostats there should be a stream of water from the telltale when hooked to a garden hose. I saw a lot of comments questioning whether or not the telltale should produce a stream of water when hooked to a garden hose. Had I listened to some that suggested the telltale is only reliable with the boat in the water I could have caused serious emgine damage: one of my engines produced a telltale immediately after starting and the other produced a pulsing water stream. One engine had both thermostats stuck in the open position and the other engine had one thermostat stuck closed and the other stuck partially open.

I could tell the bolts that were stuck would wrench off, but I'm glad I stayed committed to replacing the thermostats!!!!!!!

 

[frankie g]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

while your doing pumps and stats, you should do the poppit valves as well, most of the time thats a forgot'n. They're part of the cooling system and should be maitained as well. On my 2004 merc. it's located on the starboard side front, and you'll need to take the lower cowling off, but you only have to take off the starboard cowling. inexpensive part and should be done.

 

[Hooked on Deanna]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

Well it's been a while so here is an update:

Received a new bimini top from Leta's. Installed and zipped right up! Can't believe how well those 93 curtains look/held up. Engines are ready but I did hold off on the poppet valves for now. Will finish some gel coat touch ups, paint the bottom, install new cushions from Canplus (near Leta's...also has bayliner patterns) and be in the water by 6/20!!!! Updated pictures on my next post...

 

[frankie g]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

Bravo! Glad all is working out well. Hope you get to wet her hull soon. post some pic's of the splash if you could.

 

[Hooked on Deanna]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

Finished painting the bottom today on stands at the marina! Tomorrow is the big day. I plan on taking plenty of pictures, and will try to post them tomorrow evening. I got to say she looks awesome! I've had several compliments throughout the day.

 

[Hooked on Deanna]

Re: Just Purchased, 1993 2502

She's wet and ready!!!