$40,000 engine repair

b_arrington said:
If that crappy steering pin starts to leak it can be bad news for a transom assembly. So many other factors too.

My inlaw's have a '98 270 DA. Their transom assembly was replaced about 3 seasons ago and we had it replaced. It was leadking for 2-3 seasons before that, with water constantly in the bilge. The salt water in there also corroded the oil pan, pulleys, alternator, etc. We had all that stuff replaced when the engine was pulled out. Total job was about $10k. TA parts alone was like $3k+
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Thanks a bargain price. I need to do a LOT of research here in Australia for an affordable solution
 
jonl21 said:
Twin 5.0efi with bravo 2 setups,

2 motors pulled
2 Brand new transom assemblies with bell housings/ bellows/outdrive rams
2 outdrives overhauled with drive yoke joint assemblies and seal and many other parts plus.
2 motor tune ups
2 motor re installs

$22k USD parts and labor,
and about 3k of that was other thinks like bottom paint yard storage

and thats in NY, I would say your getting the shaft
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Here in Australia it all seems soooo much more
 
KevinC said:
The 275 Sundancer is the international version of the 260 Sundancer in the US. Based on your reports I am going to take a guess and think that the kink in the pickup hose may be related to "bravoitis" or the closing/crushing of the hose entry through the transom assembly. The kink may be related to the hose collapsing due to the suction created by the water pumps.

If this is the case then I would recommend bypassing the water pickup through the lower unit and installing a through hull with seacock and strainer in the engine compartment to feed the water pump. If you do a search on "bravoitis" you will find a lot of material regarding this. If this is the case then you may not even need to remove the engine.

You also mentioned risers and bellows (not sure if you meant elbows) but either way all of those would be normal maintenance items. Rusting in the risers and elbows can cause blockages decreasing engine cooling leading to an increase in heat. When the rust eventually breaks through the water will run into your engine exhaust and flood your engine. If you have a "wet" riser with water channels running through these are know to rust through and need replacing If these are needed they can be expensive but not doing them will almost certainly lead to having to replace an engine.

-Kevin
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Thanks for the detailed reply. The mechanic suggested the same as you about installing a through hull with seacock and strainer in the engine compartment
 
Pirate Lady said:
Last summer I spent about $2k fixing Bravoitis and all new outdrive stuff. then new risers, mans, elbows; impeller, $400 thermostat housing, parts and labor, the whole shebang with OEM Mercruiser parts for $1800. May replace the coupler this fall and was quoted $1600 pull and install the outdrive & engine, including parts. Throw in some miscellaneous costs like shop rags and oil disposal.
So what we got here. $6k tops.
How this is $40k is beyond comprehension.
And how is a transom assembly on a ‘04 bad? I got a ‘91 and it’s rock solid.
So $34000 to replace a transom assembly? I’d sink that bitch and file insurance claim.
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Well it is Australian dollars but still yes its killng me
 
Below is what the mechanic has actually said. I don't have $35k AU. But I would hope for that I could get a new one installed ?

1. Gearbox is corroded and water is leaking in as the gear oil was milky
2. The transom shield is leaking around the steering fork
3. Water is in the fuel system as the primary fuel filter was half full of water
4. Riser and manifold system should be replaced within the next year
5. The temp issue is the intake hose which is twisted, there is a memory in it now and it wont un twist. The only way to fix it is replace it or run a thru hull scoop fitting into the water pump.

Realistically the engine/transom/gearbox is in a very poor state. to make it safe and seaworthy you would nee to spend probably $35 to $50 thousand AU on it replacing the transom, gearbox and exhaust system. The engine is a 2003 model so 19 years old.
 
Post a picture of the gearbox/outdrive. How bad is the corrosion? The water may just be the result of bad seals/gaskets that need replaced. Happened to me. You may be able to get a few years out of it.

The dollar amounts are $24,500-$35,000 US$. Still seems high to me but IDK.
 
1. Gearbox is corroded and water is leaking in as the gear oil was milky

(like golfman said, this could just be a bad simple seal happened to me as well. The only other way oil would get in would be a hole in the side of the outdrive. you could replace the seal and flush the drive and it would be fine, just check you oil drain plug for massive amounts of steel shavings, that will tell you if your gears have been grinding away.)

2. The transom shield is leaking around the steering fork

( this would be your biggest issue, even if its a new transom assembly it should not be 40k worth of work)

3. Water is in the fuel system as the primary fuel filter was half full of water

( this could be bad fuel most likely, not that big of a deal drain the tank and maybe look for a hole in your gas tank but i hgihhhhhlyyy doubt it, marinas sell bad fuel all the time)

4. Riser and manifold system should be replaced within the next year

( riser and manifolds are not that bad too replace, if you are hands on they are 4 bolts on either side with some gaskets in between, tuns of YouTube videos on how to replace, extremely hard to screw up)

5. The temp issue is the intake hose which is twisted, there is a memory in it now and it wont un twist. The only way to fix it is replace it or run a thru hull scoop fitting into the water pump.

( if you are replacing the transom assembly this should fix this issue anyway, there are a few aftermarket things that will fix this issue with a new assembly)

I would personally find another opinion from anther mechanic, look around the marina if you see a lot out outboard boats it probably means he is over bidding your job because he just doesn't want to do the work.
 
$40k in Aussie!? Bet it’s less in New Zealand. :D

Seriously $40k+ seems a bit flippant and high. I’d say $25k-$30k
 
Here is my ugly nasty leg. The guys that did the anti foul said they fixed the leak but the previous owner has done such a bad job bogging the leg I should be budgeting for a new one
06EE1918-59CC-4EE6-9326-C961E11985F8.jpeg
 
So far cost was

$1k for the haul out for the week
$1k for the leg service & engine service
$3k for the anti foul

They didn’t have time to fix the over heating, so that gives me some time to look at my options
 
My two cents. I replaced two Mag 350s (with Mercruiser 354 4v's) and two new Gen II ALphas in 2012ish by the dealer with complete custom SS exhaust AND thru-hull cooling (while also keeping the alpha cooing) and total was $35K US AT THE DEALER. Adjusting for 2012 to 2022 and a single BB and Bravo III with the smear, I would estimate 7.5K for outdrive, 3K transom assembly, I wouldnt get a 454 BB I would do the Mercruiser 383 scorpion (lighter and same horsepower: 330) at 14K (worst case US maybe more in Aussie $$), Labor for all of it 4-5K, figure 28.5K US which is what is Aussie $$? (ooh, 1.45 conversion-ugghhh) =40K. Bah. your mechanic isnt far off it appears. Even if its a 454 replacement those are 9-10K minimum and may only save 4K. Welcome to boat ownership...........
 
89P270 said:
My two cents. I replaced two Mag 350s (with Mercruiser 354 4v's) and two new Gen II ALphas in 2012ish by the dealer with complete custom SS exhaust AND thru-hull cooling (while also keeping the alpha cooing) and total was $35K US AT THE DEALER. Adjusting for 2012 to 2022 and a single BB and Bravo III with the smear, I would estimate 7.5K for outdrive, 3K transom assembly, I wouldnt get a 454 BB I would do the Mercruiser 383 scorpion (lighter and same horsepower: 330) at 14K (worst case US maybe more in Aussie $$), Labor for all of it 4-5K, figure 28.5K US which is what is Aussie $$? (ooh, 1.45 conversion-ugghhh) =40K. Bah. your mechanic isnt far off it appears. Even if its a 454 replacement those are 9-10K minimum and may only save 4K. Welcome to boat ownership...........
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Thanks. I just don’t have that much money so I am trying to do some research and get some second opinions if I can get a few more years so I can save up .
 
Last summer I needed a new transom assembly. It cost $3,850 for the transom assembly and $625 for labor.

$4,475 total

2002 Sundancer 300, Twin MerCruisers 5.0
Long Island, NY
 
Port 7.4 MPI complete replacement (new), new manifolds and risers on both motors, bottom paint. Under 14K.
 
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