Mecruiser Maintenance Required?

[Racer57]

I have a 2007 Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One I/O with 265 hours on it.

I have used it every season out on the Intracoastal waterway. After every use it comes out of the water and I flush the engine with fresh water and keep it in the garage. Once a month during the winter, such as it is in Wilmington NC, I roll it out of the garage, hook it to a hose and run/flush the engine for about 20 minutes. So I have taken very good care of it.

Two questions:

1. I understand that if the exhaust manifolds fail, it could cause significant engine damage. I have never inspected them and wonder if I should tempt fate by opening them up and inspecting. If I did what would then be the options?

2. Gimble boot - Visual exam does not look like anything wrong, no cracks, appears flexible. Should it be proactively replaced?

Any advice much appreciated.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Mecruiser Maintenance Required?

It sounds as if you're doing a good job at maintaining your equipment. But you're now up to 6 years' usage.

First question is have you been changing your lower unit grease yearly? Have you been changing the water pump impeller every 3 years?
Taking care of a lower unit is important, as poor maintenance can cause you to have to replace one before its' time. (Don't ask me how I know.) And lower units are extremely expensive parts, even used.

The Gimble Boot you're talking about are called bellows, and they're rubber. And we all know rubber deteriorates over time. It's always best to store any I/O engine down to take the pressure off the bellows. You'd do well to pay a qualified marine mechanic to check out your set of bellows and inspect the exhaust manifolds.

And while he's at it, have the lower unit pressure and vacuum tested to make sure the seals are good. (Replacement seals are about $300 including parts & labor.) Just to do the inspection should not be very time consuming for the mechanic.

 

[Walt T]

Re: Mecruiser Maintenance Required?

If you're worried about it, it's time to do it. Manifolds and risers in salt water have a 5 year life max. Change them. I'm guessing you've never had the drive off to lube the U joints. As Bamaman says, do the maintenance. Just because it looks good doesn't mean it is. Yes you are tempting fate.
Look at it this way, now that you've read all these answers you're gonna be sweating bullets every time you use the boat now. May as well do it all. Please don't say it's too expensive. It's way more expensive to not do it. At the very least a tow is expensive. Life threatening situation a small possibility. By that I mean the wife having you whacked because you were being towed into the Marina in front of all her old high school friends watching her from their ..gasp... sailbotes.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Mecruiser Maintenance Required?

Mercruiser maintenance also requires removing your outdrive yearly to inspect the u-joints and grease the shaft in addition to replacing the impeller every 2 years in salt water, and changing the gear oil every season.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Mecruiser Maintenance Required?

My thoughts . . .

6 year old exhaust components used in salt water are worth a look to see if there has been any significant degradation of the mating surfaces. Then, if all is good, put back together with new OEM style gaskets

Bellows . . . if it looks good, and you do not notice any water intrusion with your annual outdrive removal, then leave it as is. As the bellows age, a more watchful eye is a good idea.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Mecruiser Maintenance Required?

Lots of good advice above I would just add:

--with the drive off for annual inspection, you need to have the engine alignment checked and adjusted if necessary.
Check up in Don's stickies for a look at the alignment tool and procedure

--don't forget to check the shift cable bellows also. There's a hole in the transom the shift cable goes through so if that bellows fails you can have water entering into the boat.

--regarding grease: various opinions and threads here from guys who use 1 kind for most everything and some of us who use the specific kinds for specific purposes. The main thought is: any grease is better than no grease

You have in your possession, hard copy, downloaded file, or link the the genuine Merc service manuals for your engine and drive? Don't settle for any aftermarket manuals.

Mark

 

[Racer57]

Re: Mecruiser Maintenance Required?

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. Now I have to find a qualified I/O mechanic who will do the job right without charging me an arm and a leg. Most shops around here cater to outboards, not many inboard boats hereabouts.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Mecruiser Maintenance Required?

why not download the manuals from here, grab some tools and do it yourself?

a basic understanding of righty tighty and which end of the wrench fits your hand is all that is needed. from there, if you run into questions, just ask. the members on this site will help you along.