2008 Sea Ray 350 - Very low hours: Concerns?

Michael C Dombai said:
I spoke to Mercury this morning and they do not have a record any work being done on my engines, unfortunately. They were very quick to point out that the engines were out of warranty but did mention that I should have the regulator checked by a mechanic for any paint remnants. I will also take Nick70’s recommendation and have the fuel rails and injectors checked. Since I’m a newer boater and not a mechanic I have to ask…How involved is it to have the regulator checked. Is this a multi hour/day/week project? Does the boat have to be pulled to have regulator checked?

Thanks to the forum members…Extremely great resource!
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Recalls and some technical service bulletins sometimes far outlast the manufactures warranty.
Did they ask for your engine serial #S and was this actually Mercury Marine division or someone at an authorized Mercury Marine repair shop?
 
Check with @Korkie, he just had all of this fuel related work done on his boat, all covered by Mercruiser I think.
 
I just had both CFMs changed out courtesy of Mercury Marine (parts). They replaced both modules to include both fuel pumps, regulators, filters, etc. Basically my Mercury Authorized Service Facility (Washburns Boat Yard) in Solomons, MD collected all the data, photos and reached out to Mercury. Mercury supplied the parts and I paid the labor for the install. Along with the CFM, they removed and cleaned everything fuel touched all the way to the spark plugs. They also normally replace the injectors but they sent mine out to be professionally cleaned as they were on BO with no shipping date in the near future. Mercury also paid to have them cleaned since they couldn't come up with the replacements. Ours was the 7th boat Washburns did in the past 2 years. This is ot on a Merc Service Bulletin, nor is it offered under a warrantee. It is a program offered only through a Merc Certified Facility that is not widely advertised by Mercruiser. The process dose take some time. Took a few months to get the approval and the same for the parts to come in. Once parts were in hand, they did the work as soon as I was ready, basically the following week.
 
Korkie said:
I just had both CFMs changed out courtesy of Mercury Marine (parts). They replaced both modules to include both fuel pumps, regulators, filters, etc. Basically my Mercury Authorized Service Facility (Washburns Boat Yard) in Solomons, MD collected all the data, photos and reached out to Mercury. Mercury supplied the parts and I paid the labor for the install. Along with the CFM, they removed and cleaned everything fuel touched all the way to the spark plugs. They also normally replace the injectors but they sent mine out to be professionally cleaned as they were on BO with no shipping date in the near future. Mercury also paid to have them cleaned since they couldn't come up with the replacements. Ours was the 7th boat Washburns did in the past 2 years. This is ot on a Merc Service Bulletin, nor is it offered under a warrantee. It is a program offered only through a Merc Certified Facility that is not widely advertised by Mercruiser. The process dose take some time. Took a few months to get the approval and the same for the parts to come in. Once parts were in hand, they did the work as soon as I was ready, basically the following week.
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Yep, an extended coverage program.
 
techmitch said:
Recalls and some technical service bulletins sometimes far outlast the manufactures warranty.
Did they ask for your engine serial #S and was this actually Mercury Marine division or someone at an authorized Mercury Marine repair shop?
Click to expand...

I just received confirmation from a local authorized Mercruiser repair shop that Mercury will cover parts and I am responsible for labor (I’m getting a quote of 5hrs per engine) and can begin the claims process. As Korkie mentioned above, right now injectors are on back order so I’ll have to make the decision to wait until they are re-stocked or have them cleaned.

So far my experience is in line with what other have posted.
 
Michael C Dombai said:
I just received confirmation from a local authorized Mercruiser repair shop that Mercury will cover parts and I am responsible for labor (I’m getting a quote of 5hrs per engine) and can begin the claims process. As Korkie mentioned above, right now injectors are on back order so I’ll have to make the decision to wait until they are re-stocked or have them cleaned.

So far my experience is in line with what other have posted.
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That's good news. I wouldn't hesitate to have the injectors cleaned as long as it is done by a reputable shop that can also provide you with before and after test results.
 
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Cleaned is what I ended up doing. Done but a professional cleaning service, also local- so fast turnaround, provided specs before and after. Mine were not too bad as i had them done 2 years ago. Merc could not give me an ETA on the injectors. The 496 HO injectors are even harder to get - not the same as the 8.1s. Are you getting the entire CFM with pumps or just the caps, regulators, filters, etc.? I was approved for the entire module. Start to finish doing the parts route, 5 hours sounds about right. Going the total replacement as I did, mine was only 3.5 hours per motor. I have ODs, so much easier access.
 
Korkie said:
Cleaned is what I ended up doing. Done but a professional cleaning service, also local- so fast turnaround, provided specs before and after. Mine were not too bad as i had them done 2 years ago. Merc could not give me an ETA on the injectors. The 496 HO injectors are even harder to get - not the same as the 8.1s. Are you getting the entire CFM with pumps or just the caps, regulators, filters, etc.? I was approved for the entire module. Start to finish doing the parts route, 5 hours sounds about right. Going the total replacement as I did, mine was only 3.5 hours per motor. I have ODs, so much easier access.
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Just the caps, regulators, filters, etc. I’d rather have the whole unit done but I’ll take just having the caps swapped out if that where the issues are. Tech coming tomorrow to check out. Thanks for the input. I’ll keep the group posted.
 
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techmitch said:
That's good news. I wouldn't hesitate to have the injectors cleaned as long as it is done by a reputable shop that can also provide you with before and after test results.
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Can you elaborate on the testing…I’m assuming your referring to the injectors and a test that displays the flow volume? (Brand new boater so apologies for the question in advance).
 
If yours has, and it probably does, the compression fittings/connections for the raw water in and out lines these are prone to leaking and often break. This will require that you replace the lower part or do as I did - drill out and tap the existing holes installing barbed connections to attach the holes to with clamps. This is the other weak part of the system that Merc acknowledges and one of the reasons they will consider replacing the entire unit. Other pus is you will get all NEW pumps along with it. Simply bolt off and bolt on. Way less labor time and ALL new parts. They did it for 5 boats I know of that Washburns has done. Push as hard as you can to get the entire system.
 
I'm currently waiting for two CFM's & 16 injectors. We started this out this season with one ride of good performance that quickly deteriorated and that's when my mechanic realized the CFM's were the culprit. One call to Merc with my serial numbers and all the parts were approved, now just waiting for parts. My boat is a 2010 and I'm the second owner so hats off to Merc for stepping up and backing their error. Ethanol is really to blame here as I'm told that boats run without it don't have problems. Merc is handling this on a case by case problem.
 
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