Last night while installing the new head gaskets on my Merc. 175, I noticed about 4 very small pits on the bottom side of the #5 cylinder wall. This is the same cylinder that was getting water into it that caused me to replace the gaskets.<br /><br />Anyway, 3 of them are barely noticeable, but one is about 1/16" in diameter and probably the same or less in depth. It's about a 1/2" exposed when the piston is at it's down stroke position. The other small pits are farther up (or nearer to the top of the cylinder head). <br /><br />Is this a major problem? The rest of the wall(s) look very clean and smooth...
<br /><br />I guess I should give a little background on the gasket. When I removed the head, it really did appear to be a bad gasket. A pretty obvious leak and burn through the fire ring on the #5 cylinder. But I guess I should have looked closer and really inspected the cylinder wall. I didn't notice the small pits until I was ready to install the new gasket. Based on the size of the pits I really don't think they are near deep enough to go through the cylinder wall. They are extremely small except for the 1/16 inch pit.<br /><br />No scoring of cylinder is seen. <br />I know what Bushcat has to say, but is the cost of a rebuild really worth it considering the age of the motor? I called my dealer and he says that it may run forever, it may not. If it were his motor he wouldn't spend the money at it's age.
