Threemuch in the shop

Threemuch · 03-25-2003, 09:05 AM

Well, I finally got the money, so the boats in the shop, Davis Marine, and my worst fears are confirmed. The heads are off, and one cylinder, number 4, is not attached to the crank.

Currently, the shop is pricing remanufactured powerheads, used powerheads, and a rebuild for the powerhead I have.

Current estimate ranges from 2400-4K. Boo hoo.

I am done with that OMC VRO. I am going to mix 50:1 in the tank from now on. Might foul some more plugs, but I want this powerhead to last as long as the rest of the boat.

KB

edsr · 03-25-2003, 09:48 AM

Kurt,

Bummer. Can you trace the problem to the automatic oiling system?

edsr

Pilar · 03-25-2003, 10:10 AM

Kurt, I have always been suspicious of the oil injected 2 strokes. As a single point of failure, loss of oil/fuel mixture in a 2 stroke is very unforgiving. At least with cooling failure, fuel supply problems or electrical issues the down boat is a temporary thing and the damage minimal. If the oil injection pump goes away at speed, under load, you have seconds before the motor comes apart.

Can you upgrade to a more fuel efficient power plant? That might solve your immediate problem as well as the gas hog problem. Having enough fuel to operate at will offshore is huge for the peace of mind.

Pilar · 03-25-2003, 01:16 PM

Kurt, the cool thing about outboards is you can take it with you. When you upgrade to a better boat you can take the motor along to the new hull.

Is there anything you can do to make it more fuel efficient during the rebuild process?

Salmonator · 03-25-2003, 02:19 PM

Does anyone know about the reliability of the merc injection systems? The thought of one going out 40 miles from shore has crossed my mind before but I haven't heard of as many going south as I have the VRO's. Also, will the merc's low oil alarm sound off when the unit goes kaput like it does when it runs out of oil? :whazzup:

Fishplay · 03-25-2003, 08:01 PM

Kurt,
Sorry to hear of the extensive damage. :depressed: Glad to hear you found the money to fix it. :smile:

FB-03

Sensei-san · 03-25-2003, 10:55 PM

I guess you could add oil to the tank. Does the VRO system give any type of warning other than explode when it is not functioning? What is the lowest ratio that you can run on? Perhaps you could mix a low ratio in the tank and still have the VRO's running. At least you would be able to run and not foul plugs so bad. I don't think we can hop the fence at the Texaco Refinery at Anacortes to borrow some tetraethyl lead right now.

Also do these have reed valves? I vaguely remember in the old days that there were aftermarket reed valve companies that said that they would increase fuel efficiency in older two strokes. Maybe you could have them installed while you are doing the rebuild.

Sensei-san · 03-25-2003, 11:13 PM

Better a shop on dry land out of the elements than out in the ocean. Sad you can't convert to newer motors. The OMC Seadrives were a great idea in their time but newer technology has gone way past them.

Was watching the news this morning and saw a group of GI's doing a field rebuild of the old VT-903 in the Bradley Fighting Machine. Saw the old breather covers and it bought back memories of those monsters in Rich's Bertram that we pulled out.

Maybe I should have Rich call the Pentagon and offer the VT-903's for the war effort.

Threemuch · 03-25-2003, 11:57 PM

I would love to repower with a more efficient engine. It's not in the financial cards. I can't figure a way to put 15-20K into a 14K boat. I want 5 more seasons, then upgrade to a more fuel efficient beast.

So far, they can't trace the problem at all, but the VRO pump is a likely cause.

Mr. Fisherman · 04-04-2003, 03:59 PM

Hey Kurt, any updates? How long is it gonna take to get it broke in?
When are you thinking about a shake down?