Advice needed over damaged engine

taurus · 08 August 2021, 11:46

Hi
We’ve managed to damage our 2006 Suzuki DF140.
Hit a rock which has broken some of the gearbox casing off.
It’s a well looked after 300 hour engine.
We unsure we should try and find a s/h gearbox assy or buy a new engine.
Would probably fit a 115 as we don’t need a 140.
Anyone know what value a 140 minus the gearbox would be worth and the best place to buy a new engine?
Or where we might find a gearbox assy?
Cheers.

wgc851 · 08 August 2021, 11:49

How bad is the damage? Castle marine do s ok me pretty impressive repairs. A complete engine would be worth a lot more

spartacus · 08 August 2021, 12:41

Sorry to hear that.

Would have thought there's more value in a Suzuki DF140 whole, that as a potential parts bin, given engine is low hours.

One thing to watch, is there any internal damage on the drive or prop shaft. Did the leg hit the rock, rather than the propeller? If a stainless steel propeller, then that will transmit the energy from the rock to the propshaft stripping gears, then to the drive shaft potentially stripping the splined shaft.

Check the tilt ram too, especially if the accident was at speed, as that will determine whether the engine is worth repairing. At the very least you need to drop the leg to inspect the drive shaft splines.

If the gearbox goes in and out of gear with no friction in neutral then it would be worth rebuilding. Here's a lower casing here, seems expensive, until you remember these engines are £13,500 new.

It's possible to repair the lower unit with gears in place, but you run the risk of cooking oil seals.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133797156...0AAOSwDHtfu9Nb

Don't know how old this ad is, but Suzuki DF140 from 2003.
https://harbourmarinepwllheli.co.uk/.../suzuki-df140/

diver 1 · 08 August 2021, 13:13

Just a thought - does your insurance policy cover you for that type of accident? Perhaps worth a call to them?

Dry_Doc · 08 August 2021, 13:23

I'd have a reputable outboard engineer look at it for their opinion first. Engines are extremely hard to find at the moment, and prices are consequently sky-high. As has already been said, repair might be your most cost effective option if the gearbox internals are OK.

taurus · 08 August 2021, 13:37

Thanks for the quick replies.
The casing is smashed well beyond repair.
All that’s left is the bevel gear and jagged casing.
Bit concerned that there maybe shock damage.
Think I’m leaning more towards a new engine, I could end up spending a lot of money and still have a knackered engine otherwise.
Thanks.

beamishken · 08 August 2021, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by taurus

Thanks for the quick replies.

The casing is smashed well beyond repair.

All that’s left is the bevel gear and jagged casing.

Bit concerned that there maybe shock damage.

Think I’m leaning more towards a new engine, I could end up spending a lot of money and still have a knackered engine otherwise.

Thanks.

Ive sent you a pm

diver 1 · 08 August 2021, 15:04

Someone is selling a DF140 leg and gearbox on Facebook. Definitely got to be worth a look?

Orwell boy · 08 August 2021, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by diver 1

Just a thought - does your insurance policy cover you for that type of accident? Perhaps worth a call to them?

Thats an intersting point you raise ! and to offer another "interesting point ",my insurance would pay out but to calculate how they would do for a perfect running 16 year old engine ,trusted and loved by yourself i am sure
Think they would offer 13.5k less 10% per year for 16 years ,would leave you with approx £2500 ,is that fair ? ,maybe they would offer 2.5k for the repair ,i am not sure of the detail !!

spartacus · 08 August 2021, 18:05

£650 for the leg and trim assembly is a bargain. Its even got a stainless prop, there's £250-350 just there.
Renew the gear oil, fill and drain washers and waterpump assembly, 2k paint and its as good as new. I'd do that before claiming on my insurance as you know your premium will go up.

beamishken · 08 August 2021, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orwell boy

Thats an intersting point you raise ! and to offer another "interesting point ",my insurance would pay out but to calculate how they would do for a perfect running 16 year old engine ,trusted and loved by yourself i am sure

Think they would offer 13.5k less 10% per year for 16 years ,would leave you with approx £2500 ,is that fair ? ,maybe they would offer 2.5k for the repair ,i am not sure of the detail !!

They'll almost certainly write off the engine, how they value it is a bit of a grey area depending on the insurance company, my pals boat was written off in a road accident, they paid out for the hull based on the insured value stated at the time the policy was taken. They paid for hull only as no damage to engine or trailer. If your insurer doesnt ask you to split the value then who knows how they will base their settlement. On the other side they will probably let you keep the damaged engine for a nominal fee, probably a hundred or two so you'll likely get paid market value from the insurer then sell the salvage engine for a few quid.
Certainly worth speaking to the insurance company

Iankristy · 08 August 2021, 19:11

I have a mildly damaged 2010(I think)df 250 gear casing for sale?

taurus · 08 August 2021, 20:34

I’ve had the day to think things through and it’s been good to get some others thoughts on it.
Going to go for a new engine, don’t think we want to go through the hassle of getting bits and then possibly finding other issues. We also have logistical problems as we live out in the sticks.
Thanks for everyone’s input. Appreciated.
Cheers.

beerbelly · 09 August 2021, 06:50

i am in the process of a similar story i hit a submerged rock in the sound of jura earlier this year but only damaged the edge of the skeg .i am claiming on the insurance as its a 2020 outboard .surprisingly the price of a new complete gearbox supplied and fitted to a mariner 115 CT is less than £1500.