hmason
Guru
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2013
- Messages
- 2,764
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Lucky Lucky
- Vessel Make
- Pacific Mariner 65
Hi All--input needed:
My Whaler tender has a 2014 Mercury 4-stroke outboard which I purchased new. Each April I bring the outboard to MarineMax in Stuart FL for it's annual "by the book" service. Since we live aboard we don't have a trailer so I drive the tender on the water to MarineMax; about a 10 minute trip on the St. Lucie River.
On the way to service a loud alarm started sounding. I shut the engine down, tilted it up to look for a plastic bag or some other debris blocking the water intake and found nothing. Lowered the engine. waited a minute or two and checked the oil. It was fine as well. Started the motor again and the alarm started blaring again. Finally I had a friend come out and tow me the rest of the way to MM.
Two days later I received a call from MM telling me the engine had been serviced and the temperature sensor replaced under warranty and all is well. I motored away from MM and within a couple of hundred yards the alarm went off again. (So much for QC). Back she goes to the shop.
A week later I was advised that they replaced the water pump and the thermostat and that it was still sounding an alarm. I was asked if I flush the engine with fresh water after every use. I explained that I do when feasible but that it is not possible when cruising from FL to CT and anchoring most of the time. They said that I MUST flush it every time as per mfg, recommendation. They went on to say that they must now remove the power head to see what the problem is. They said that if it is corrosion, I am covered under the warranty but if there is a foreign object causing a blockage I would be responsible for the repair.
They told me I must authorize the expense but I would not be charged if it is a warranted item. The labor cost is $120/hour and they estimate 6-hours of labor just to remove the power head. FYI, the engine's computer shows a total of 97 hours of use. Input and suggestions will be much appreciated.
My Whaler tender has a 2014 Mercury 4-stroke outboard which I purchased new. Each April I bring the outboard to MarineMax in Stuart FL for it's annual "by the book" service. Since we live aboard we don't have a trailer so I drive the tender on the water to MarineMax; about a 10 minute trip on the St. Lucie River.
On the way to service a loud alarm started sounding. I shut the engine down, tilted it up to look for a plastic bag or some other debris blocking the water intake and found nothing. Lowered the engine. waited a minute or two and checked the oil. It was fine as well. Started the motor again and the alarm started blaring again. Finally I had a friend come out and tow me the rest of the way to MM.
Two days later I received a call from MM telling me the engine had been serviced and the temperature sensor replaced under warranty and all is well. I motored away from MM and within a couple of hundred yards the alarm went off again. (So much for QC). Back she goes to the shop.
A week later I was advised that they replaced the water pump and the thermostat and that it was still sounding an alarm. I was asked if I flush the engine with fresh water after every use. I explained that I do when feasible but that it is not possible when cruising from FL to CT and anchoring most of the time. They said that I MUST flush it every time as per mfg, recommendation. They went on to say that they must now remove the power head to see what the problem is. They said that if it is corrosion, I am covered under the warranty but if there is a foreign object causing a blockage I would be responsible for the repair.
They told me I must authorize the expense but I would not be charged if it is a warranted item. The labor cost is $120/hour and they estimate 6-hours of labor just to remove the power head. FYI, the engine's computer shows a total of 97 hours of use. Input and suggestions will be much appreciated.