Engine troubles

[capn_billl]

I've fallen into a nightmare that wont stop.

I started with a bad oil pan, and after paying a few grand to pull the engine, and replace it, the mechanic noticed, (after taking the time to re-install engine), he noticed leakage from the exhaust manifold, a few grand later he found the block where the exhaust manifold attached was too corroded to seal to the new manifold.

SO, I ordered a new long block, and paid about $10,000 more + the cost of the block $7000, to swap it out.

NOW I have a "new" engine that is missing in one cylinder
After A new distributor, plugs, rotor, MAP sensor, IAC, compression test, timing etc
and the mechanic no longer answers my calls. (I hope he enjoying his permanent Mexican vacation).

New mechanic, (note BOTH were authorized Mercruiser mechanics).
A new distributor, plugs, rotor, MAP sensor, IAC, compression test, timing, new fuel pump, cool fuel, regulator, injector rebuild etc...

The problem is still there.

I'm at a loss. It seems like an 8.2 MPI engine with a new block, if it has spark, fuel, and compression should work like a clock.

That only leaves bad valve? Timing chain? Miss installed cam?

At this point I would rip the whole thing out, and buy a new 8.2L complete engine, except MY Mechanic stated the new EPA rules prevent this.

What can I do to turn my new floating reef back into a working boat?

[mmwjr]

Wow you been screwed, sorry but had to say it.

First the exhaust manifold attaches to the cylinder head so why a complete new short block?

Was the origional engine a 8.2?

Being a new MPI engine has any of these authorized mechanics connected the analysis tool to read out fault codes?

[capn_billl]

I decided to replace the block instead of just a head rebuild because the engine had low compression, and was 15 years old.

Plus my mechanic quoted more hours on the rebuild vs replacement so the final cost was a wash.

His time, and shipyard rates were the deciding factor.

I paid $6800 for the long block. (yes both were 8.2's)

[mmwjr]

Ok so your decision to go with the long block, but $10,000 to install it!

Did you get it running correctly? For all the money you paid the mechanic is responsible to make it right, was he independent or work for a company?

PS there is no distributor in the 8.2.

[shrew]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

Ok so your decision to go with the long block, but $10,000 to install it!

I was thinking the same thing about

Originally Posted by capn_billl

....... bad oil pan, and after paying a few grand to pull the engine, and replace it.......

What is the hourly rate of this marine mechanic? I don't begrudge anyone the right to make a living earning a fair wage, however this seems a little on the high side.

[capn_billl]

$100 an hour.

The shipyard charged $680 for the haul out, and $270 an hour for crane time.

The kicker was after paying these charges to remove, and replace the engine with a new pan, I had to repeat the process to replace the block.

I would think a competent mechanic would have examined the engine before re-installing it into the boat, and notice the rust on the exhaust manifold while it was in the shop. That would have saved me several thousand just in shipyard charges to pull the engine the second time.

40 hours to disassemble the engine, and put parts on new block. VS 100 hours for rebuild + $100 a day space on the hard. It ended up amortizing half the cost of a new block vs a rebuild of mine.

I finally got the new mechanic to talk to Eagle (supplier of the long block), they are going to work out a solution that will hopefully end this saga.

[mmwjr]

Just crazy is all I can say.