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| I have a 2008 Mercury 250 opti max pro xs that I was winterizing for the first time and pulled all my plugs to fog and replace with new and just for kicks I grabbed a flashlight and looked down the sparkplug inlets on the head and would you know it 2 out of 6 cyl the threads are just mangled. I noticed those two where a little snug coming out.I call my dealer and they told me to call mercury. NIce dealer support. Any quick fix suggestions? |
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Member
Posts: 1040
Location: Stevens Point, WI | In a situation like this, I wouldn't be looking for a quick fix. You're talking about a $25,000 motor, a quick fix isn't something I'd be looking at. You have a warranty on this motor, I'd suggest banging on your dealer's door until something gets done. They're obviously a registered Mercury dealer, they should be able to help. I'd get it taken care of the right away versus dealing with it in the spring. Just my .02 cents. |
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Location: Rhinelander | If this is the first time the plugs were removed, then perhaps Mercury Marine customer service is the place to call. The motor was run at the factory, so the plugs you removed may have been installed there. I'd call your dealer back and ask him to help you with the issue. |
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| There is a real inexpensive fix for your problem. Go to any of your local parts store, Carquest, Napa or Fastenal all have them. It comes with a tap & usually two to three inserts. These are "inserts" not helicoils. The helicoils will pull out! Measure the depth of the hole for the length of the insert. I have done hundreds of these and they will never pull out. |
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Member
Posts: 3899
| Best let your dealer deal with this. I would not do a thing until he sees it, and does what he needs to do.
Are the threads completely stripped out? Or are they crossthreaded, and possibly could be cleaned up with a tap? How were you able to see the threads in the bottom cylinders? I can't hardly get in there to change those plugs, much less see in the holes.
My only fear would be they determine that this was end user caused. In that case, the Timeserts mentioned would be the option, if you can't clean up the threads.
Edited by Shep 11/11/2008 11:42 AM
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Member
Posts: 1656
| If you choose to chase the threads. Get a magnetized tap, or magnetize a regular tap, this will keep the filings from falling in to the combustion chamber. Personally, I would pursue with your dealer first and try to get resolved before you attempt. But that's only an opinion.
Guest, if it's not covered under warrenty isn't he already SOL with crossthreaded plugs?
And when the heck did the Merc's get so expensive? $25K? |
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| Really a magnet? When did aluminum become magnetic? There are lots of little tricks to try and keep the chips from entering the combustion chamber, grease, suction from a shop vac etc.. But he's not working on a lawnmower here. The ONLY acceptable fix here is to replace the heads or remove them and have someone who knows what they're doing install the spark plug inserts. It will be expensive, but it will be repaired right. |
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Member
Posts: 650
| But he's not working on a lawnmower here...
I wasn't gonna say anything but I got to, I just can't let it pass...
WHY were you winterizing a 250 pro XS yourself? I'm a handy guy but no way in hell am I gonna start spraying stuff into a 20 grand+ motor... Sorry I had to say it... If the dealer had discovered this, It would be a done deal...
I'm going through a nightmare myself with a 225 etec HO... That is the reason I'm outa the big boat big motor deal...
Bob, let us know how you make out... |
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| Carefully replace the sparkplugs without completely stripping the threads . Make an appointment with a Mercury dealer and have him winterize the motor with new sparkplugs in the work order. Let a professional deal with the problem under warranty. |
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| before you go to far into this if your daler wont help I think I can bring it to Moon Marine 920-907-8021 I wouildnt want to see you get shavings into the cylinder and totally mess up your engine. I do about 8+ a year and have experience doing it and I might get mercury to stand behind it if they were put in at the factory wrong Jim |
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Member
Posts: 2445
Location: Fremont, Wisconsin | Bob
You can call Denny, Me, at Fort Fremont Marine and we can see what we can do for you.
920-446-3220 25 mins west of appleton.
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Member
Posts: 39
| Don't even attemp to tap them out. If its under warranty let them replace the whole part. You payed good money for the rig. Take it to the dealer you bought it from and let him deal with the head aches. One other thing is why would you put new plugs in a oiled filled cylinder that needs to be run to get the cylinders cleaned out. Run your motor in the spring with the old plugs for one round or two then replace them. Why ruin a good plugs with oil in the cylinders.  |
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