A new MerCruiser rocker/oil problem, and a related question:

Ian

“Your service manager said”  and “”the marina is the largest in the area” tell me you are not looking at this logically. This guy has a vested interest in you believing him because someone is going to pay to fix it - by your closing comment - you.

Did YOU actually see the oil at the rockers with covers off? How do you know? I am no mechanic but I’d be asking to see the proof also, I can see oil there without being a mechanic.

Because he’s the biggest, he’s not necessarily the best - and often biggest is far from best. If they are the biggest, go to the next guy down with Merc trained techs.

Seems you are looking for someone here to give you the answer you want to hear....

F1100

I cant see this being a fuel issue. I agree it looks like a oiling issue cause those rockers are blued up from heat. Or the valve train is messed up. Again.. pull the heads and have a look to see whats wrong. I would also do a leak down on the engine first as well. To see if the non oiling damage was only top related or is in the lower block as well. You could pull the Cam as well, and check the lobes for scarring and blueing as well. And 100% check the push rods. Super easy to do.

F1100

And pull the plugs and see how they are looking.. mark each one..so you know what each cylinder is doing. Thats the easiest thing to do , along with pulling the push rods.

Jodijoe

icoultha said:

“Your service manager said”  and “”the marina is the largest in the area” tell me you are not looking at this logically. This guy has a vested interest in you believing him because someone is going to pay to fix it - by your closing comment - you.

Did YOU actually see the oil at the rockers with covers off? How do you know? I am no mechanic but I’d be asking to see the proof also, I can see oil there without being a mechanic.

Because he’s the biggest, he’s not necessarily the best - and often biggest is far from best. If they are the biggest, go to the next guy down with Merc trained techs.

Seems you are looking for someone here to give you the answer you want to hear....

I'm open to suggestions. The reality is that I dock in a river with current, wind, and 8 weeks experience pulling in and out of a slip with this 40' using mostly Axius, which of course doesn't work with only 1 engine. It's not so easy to just go somewhere else without the stress of possible fiberglass damage to mine or other boats. 

randy56

You may find a tech that makes house calls. Do a search in your area.

Dude_Himself

Or get a tow. Or a dinghy and a few friends and a late night adventure.

PickleRick

Id be very curious and want to pull the heads if indeed the engine is getting substantial oil.  Look for possible valve guide issues although a sticking valve should result in a bent push rod just as water intrusion should.   Change all the rocker arms if you see substantial oil in the rocker arm valley then run her hard.  If she does it afain call a tow and have the heads pulled.  Id also want to install a temp secondary oil gauge just to verify my oil pressure reading on both motors is correct. Same with water temp.  

Jodijoe

Update: my service manager said the Merc rep never inspected my boat, and that he changed all my rockers and push rods in my port engine, but the Merc rockers are on backorder so he could only buy enough to switch the port rockers, but not the starboard rockers! Merc Rockers on backorder? Hmm. Sounds like a smoking gun. Who wants to bet to see if they man up? 

LaRea

I bet one dollar US that you'll never pin this on any sort of recall or manufacturing defect.  The reason nobody keeps 32 rockers sitting around on the shelf is that people never buy them because failures are rare.

reneechris14

Could of did something like this and picked up a little more HP. 

zaverin1

Dude 
yes get racing rockers and yes merc builds engines but they don’t need 30 plus anything sitting in a world or lean manufacturing and inventory 

zaverin1

Better yet involve your insurance company and tell them you overheated and get a new motor 

69fastback

LaRea said:

I bet one dollar US that you'll never pin this on any sort of recall or manufacturing defect.  The reason nobody keeps 32 rockers sitting around on the shelf is that people never buy them because failures are rare.

Yep. Roller rockers, like ones posted fail. Stamped rockers do not fail. 

LaRea

@Jodijoe -- Look, I understand that you'd love to find evidence and opinions to support your case that the damage is not your responsibility.  Based on what you've said here on the Rinker forum, my opinion is that your case is weak.  I think the damage likely resulted from abuse and/or neglect by a previous owner.  I definitely could be wrong ... I'm no expert, and I don't have first-hand knowledge.  But I bet you a dollar I'm right.   

When I win the bet, I'll donate the dollar towards your first frosty cold beverage of the evening, because you'll need more than one!

Jodijoe

reneechris14 said:

Could of did something like this and picked up a little more HP. 

Fastback69 said roller rockers might break apart and put fragments through the engine.

Jodijoe

LaRea said:

@Jodijoe -- Look, I understand that you'd love to find evidence and opinions to support your case that the damage is not your responsibility.  Based on what you've said here on the Rinker forum, my opinion is that your case is weak.  I think the damage likely resulted from abuse and/or neglect by a previous owner.  I definitely could be wrong ... I'm no expert, and I don't have first-hand knowledge.  But I bet you a dollar I'm right.   

When I win the bet, I'll donate the dollar towards your first frosty cold beverage of the evening, because you'll need more than one!

Fair enough. You're probably right. I'll quit venting and take my medicine for buying a used boat. 

The port engine did overheat on my maiden voyage last year due to a blown impeller. My captain shut her down quickly.


Thank you everyone for your help. I'll be back needing new advice if the new Merc rockers split. 

212rowboat

Take ot easy on the man.  He was blindsided. Happens to the best of us. 

What lies behind you aint tour fortune. 

Depending on your heads there are 3/8 and 7/16 studs that hold the rockers. Even within vortec they vary. Be certain.  Rollers eliminate or reduce parasitic loss of power and are good for as much as 10hp depending on your lift ratio,  but.... That cam in that mercruiser engine is specific.  I wouldnt play with it ..eitywr match ratio or retain the stamped rocker which you can get at dam near any chevy dealer or parts store with no difference... The part of the curve where rollers will assist is limited and about without worth except for the parasitic loss.  Exchanging the ratio is a crap shoot. Let us know... It may be worth it to is too .

Jodijoe

212rowboat said:

Take ot easy on the man.  He was blindsided. Happens to the best of us. 

What lies behind you aint tour fortune. 

Depending on your heads there are 3/8 and 7/16 studs that hold the rockers. Even within vortec they vary. Be certain.  Rollers eliminate or reduce parasitic loss of power and are good for as much as 10hp depending on your lift ratio,  but.... That cam in that mercruiser engine is specific.  I wouldnt play with it ..eitywr match ratio or retain the stamped rocker which you can get at dam near any chevy dealer or parts store with no difference... The part of the curve where rollers will assist is limited and about without worth except for the parasitic loss.  Exchanging the ratio is a crap shoot. Let us know... It may be worth it to is too .

All Port rockers have been changed with Merc rockers. All Starboard rockers will be changed once they are delivered. Not sure why my service manager didn't use Gm rockers. I plan to take her out for a ride tomorrow. I'll keep you posted. Thank you!