Oil on timing belt, inept dealer...

[lumpy_63]

Bought my first new outboard, (8 hp 4 stroke Mercury) yesterday. Dealer and his mechanic loaded it upside down in my truck (yes, the one way you aren't supposed to, as I found out later reading the manual...). The oil drained out and soaked the pull rope, and some got on the timing belt. Should I be worried about the belt and the rope, or anything else? Obviously the oil needs to be replaced. Thanks.

 

[lumpy_63]

Re: Oil on timing belt, inept dealer...

Any advice from old salts would be appreciated.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Oil on timing belt, inept dealer...

I would take it back to the dealer and insist they replace the belt and starter rope.​

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Oil on timing belt, inept dealer...

Starter rope is probably nylon and other than the mess, which you can wipe off, shouldn't be a problem.

Belt is rubber and I don't know of a natural or syn rubber that likes petroleum. Eventually it will soften it which will lead to failure.

Agree on having the items replaced. Taking the owners manual along and pointing out their error will surely help.

Mark

 

[lumpy_63]

Re: Oil on timing belt, inept dealer...

Thanks for the input. Since this is my first motor I was a little unsure what to do, or how big a deal it was to get oil on the timing belt. I haven't had a problem like this with a car timing belt.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Oil on timing belt, inept dealer...

Oil on the timing belt is not a good thing and may very well cause the engine to jump cam timing. On some engines this can cause serious valve train/piston damage. Don't know if this is an "interference engine" meaning whether or not it's possible for valves to contact pistons if the cam timing is off. Regardless, the dealer screwed up and needs to fix this. I'd demand a new belt and a cleanup of the mess they made. They are the "professionals" and in this case, use the term loosely.