2002 Mariner 60Efi 4 stroke Alarm

JCW · 13 April 2005, 18:45

I had an alarm sound 2 weeks ago while blasting for a couple of mins at 5000RPM. The engine guardian automatically reduced the revs down to 1500 so I went back to the slipway at reduced throttle to recover the boat.

I took it to my local Mariner dealer, they performed a full service and Diagnostic test. The diagnostic check showed no faults from the engine ECM, only that the alarm had sounded!! The impeller was changed during the service and the dealer tested the engine and all was OK.

On Sunday I tried the boat out, after warming the engine up for 20 mins trolling to the no speed limit area I opened the throttle and after 45 seconds the alarm sounded again, engine power was reduced, so again I recovered the boat and today I took the boat back to the dealer. I actually took my video camera with me to capture the fault.

I showed the dealer the video and now after further testing the ECM flagged a low water pressure fault and hence the motor was shut down to prevent overheating.

The dealer removed the thermostat which was functioning correctly but showed signs of severe salt corrosion. I have now been told the power head needs to be removed due to a possible blockage in a grommet or rubber feed pipe?

The engine has done 121 hours, serviced at the first 20 hours and every year a full service by the authorised dealer.

The dealer to their credit knows that I look after the engine and that I have fresh water flushed it each time after use in accordance with the manufactures recommendation. Mariner have also agreed to cover the cost under warranty even though it expired a year ago.

My worry is what will stop this happening again in another 100 hours? Unless the part had been updated with a design change it will happen again as I have religously followed all the service and flushing requirements set by Mariner.

What are your thoughts on this.

Thanks

Pete7 · 13 April 2005, 19:08

Your not the only one with this fault. From what Lee Fairweather was saying its a powerhead off to get at the water pick up tube which has been made of 2 types of different metals which corrode up.

Pete

JCW · 13 April 2005, 19:14

Pete,
do you know if Mariner have updated the part? My dealer told me that there were no technical service bulletins issued for this concern. You are right about the power head having to removed though!!

Pete7 · 13 April 2005, 20:16

No don't think they did, but Lee is expecting quite a few as they are starting to get to that point. Give him a ring, very helpful.

Regards

Pete

JCW · 13 April 2005, 20:28

Thanks Pete,
I will give him a call.

tinker · 14 April 2005, 14:42

Ive had this problem with a 1998 4 stroke 25hp mercury outboard. The casting had also been worn away by the leaking cooling water. Expensive repair with parts and labour, could not fine to much on the web though to reflect this been a common problem.

MeMe · 14 April 2005, 15:22

........and could not help but cringe when you advised the very same thing happened again - don't you just hate it when that happens ? Having had similar such experiences both RIB and none RIB related, I know the feeling only too well - it aint a nice one, especially after all the time, trouble and resorces you devoted to rectifying the problem.

Anyway, for what it's worth this is what I would do - and I don't mean to be crass.

www.boatsandoutboards.com

FOR SALE 2002 RIBCRAFT
Full Main Dealer Service History.
Serviced just last week in preperation for new owner and forthcoming season.
Lovingly Maintained
etc...etc....

JCW · 14 April 2005, 19:12

MeMe,
this is the first time it has happened. My concern is unless the failed part that is going to be replaced next week has been improved with a design change the fault will re-occur. I am still awaiting a response from Mariner to this question.

JCW · 20 April 2005, 17:43

The engine has now been stripped down and the fault traced to a rubber feed pipe that had closed up due to softening of the rubber. The engine had to be removed with just the saddle bracket remaing on the transom. All for a £5 rubber tube!!!

I have been told this part has infact been modified and the dealer is now waiting for the part to be shipped from belgium.

So if you get an overheat alarm come up on a mid range 4 stroke merc or mariner this may be your answer.

EDDO · 20 April 2005, 22:22

Does anyone know when the part was upgraded? Ive got a 2004 60 4stroke Mariner .
Hoped that it was bullit proof

JCW · 20 April 2005, 22:29

EDDO,
not sure when the update was issued, when I was shown the offending article I was astonished how after 120 hours this could happen. I have been told this is a common occurance on these engines, hopefully yours will be OK.

DJL · 20 April 2005, 22:44

Hi Jason,

Where abouts on the engine is the offending pipe?

JCW · 20 April 2005, 22:53

Hi Daniel,
from what I saw there is a copper pick up pipe which runs through the leg, then the rubber pipe connects the copper pipe to an intermediate casting on the powerhead. The pipe was not blocked with salt corrosion, it had just pinched closed thus restricting water flow. The pipe itself probably had an internal bore of 5mm.

DJL · 22 April 2005, 20:21

Thanks Jason - I'm hoping I’ve avoided the problem being as the engines done around 300 hours now, although I’ll mention it when I take the engine for a service in a few weeks.

JCW · 22 April 2005, 20:49

Hopefully yours is fine, what year is your outboard

Richard B · 22 April 2005, 22:54

Jason, it sounds like you've done good work here on two counts...

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCW

Mariner have also agreed to cover the cost under warranty even though it expired a year ago.

1. The manufacturers or distributors have set a precedent, so if the fault should re-occur, I think they would be obliged to repair again at their expense.
2. Anyone else suffering the same fault ought to be able to use your example to obtain an FOC repair.

Your rights as a consumer are not restricted to a 12month warranty period - goods are supposed to be supplied as fit for purpose, and so high value items like outboard motors are supposed to last many years. Design and/or manufacturing defects are the responsibility of the manufacturer, and remember that although for some strange reason (political lobbying, I suspect) motor vehicles are exempt, marine engines aren't AFAIK.

Top marks to Mariner/Barrus for doing the decent thing.

JCW · 22 April 2005, 23:23

Thanks Richard,
I found out that for corrosion the warrany is three years so I was only a month out, however as I have previously stated this issue did not turn out to be corrosion related but a design flaw.

JCW · 27 April 2005, 22:13

Replacement parts fitted today by dealer, so as I was going to take the boat on holiday with me next week I thought I would give it a quick blast to make sure all was ok. Trailed the boat to my nearest slipway after picking the Rib up.

Well it was a quick blast, I did not get a chance to see if the overheat alarm was fixed. Engine now hestiates badly and also a gear rattle has developed. Looks as though the dealer has cured one problem and induced others during the strip and rebuild process. I am now well pissed off.

I am now going to to have to take the boat back to the dealer (5th time) after my holiday, trouble is I have zero confidence my engine will run well again.

Luckily I co-own another Rib so my Holiday won't be wasted.

Richard B · 27 April 2005, 23:55

DJL · 30 April 2005, 00:10

sorry to hear that.

Have a good holiday