Motor repair question

[ewlech]

I was hoping to get some feedback from some of you on a Mercury 2003 EFI 200HP problem:

I recently took my 2003 ProCraft 200 into Tracker Marine because we noticed a miss in the engine and it seemed to be having a delay when pushing the throttle before it would react.  They did a full inspection and determined that There was a possible loose or rough crank bearing.  My question is :  Is this something that can be rebuilt or repaired without having to order a new top engine part (which costs $2200 for the part) and if it can be rebuilt or repaired what would the approximate cost for something like this?

I message FISHING WRENCH last week but hadn't heard back from him yet.  I would appreciate any feedback any of you have.

[Champ188]

I would take it to Ulrich Marine in Branson West and let them give you an honest assessment. They are straight shooters and will get you fixed as reasonably as anyone. 

[ewlech]

Thanks Champ, appreciate your feedback.

[Smalls21]

Tracker Marine will shoot you straight.

always fair and honest, regardless of what the johnny haters say

[fishinwrench]

Sorry but I did not get the message.  

What you're saying regarding the crank shaft bearing doesn't add up. (2200.00 for what?) and how did they determine it  "might have" a crank shaft problem ?  

I have a good crankshaft w/bearings for that powerhead that I can sell you very reasonable.....IF it truly needs one.

Gimme a call if you want. 573-569-5406

[Champ188]

7 hours ago, Smalls21 said:

Tracker Marine will shoot you straight.

always fair and honest, regardless of what the johnny haters say

Johnny aside, I've never heard of one good repair experience there. 

[fishinwrench]

9 hours ago, Smalls21 said:

Tracker Marine will shoot you straight.

always fair and honest, regardless of what the johnny haters say

I'm no Johnny hater by any means but something doesn't compute here...

#1. I don't believe there is anyone working at TM that can (or will) R&R a crankshaft, so their protocol would be to replace the powerhead......and they can't sell him a powerhead for 2200.00 or they would be loosing money. Quite a bit of it.

#2. If by chance they CAN (and will) do a crankshaft/bearing swap then there are no parts involved in that procedure that should equal 2200.00   

Not even close.

 

Furthermore, a pending crankshaft bearing failure rates right up there with the most impossible thing a tech can catch before a complete catastrophic bearing failure occurs.  A tech saying "hmm I think you might possibly have a crank bearing getting a little rough" is the most obsurd thing I can think of.     It either has a bearing out and there's no question about it....or it doesn't. 

Crank bearing failure on a V6 Merc is pretty darn rare, I've only seen it happen once in 26 years (and that was the upper main bearing on a saltwater motor that had obviously overheated several times).   Broken cranks and connecting rod bearing failure following a piston failure are another story.  But obviously that's not a possibility or they would have told him he had a compression issue also.

And finally #3. A rough crankshaft bearing would not cause hesitation on acceleration....which was the original complaint.

 

Sorry about the long post, this kinda stuff fuels me. 😁

[Champ188]

Good post, Wrench. No apology needed. 

[vernon]

6 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I'm no Johnny hater by any means but something doesn't compute here...

#1. I don't believe there is anyone working at TM that can (or will) R&R a crankshaft, so their protocol would be to replace the powerhead......and they can't sell him a powerhead for 2200.00 or they would be loosing money. Quite a bit of it.

#2. If by chance they CAN (and will) do a crankshaft/bearing swap then there are no parts involved in that procedure that should equal 2200.00   

Not even close.

 

Furthermore, a pending crankshaft bearing failure rates right up there with the most impossible thing a tech can catch before a complete catastrophic bearing failure occurs.  A tech saying "hmm I think you might possibly have a crank bearing getting a little rough" is the most obsurd thing I can think of.     It either has a bearing out and there's no question about it....or it doesn't. 

Crank bearing failure on a V6 Merc is pretty darn rare, I've only seen it happen once in 26 years (and that was the upper main bearing on a saltwater motor that had obviously overheated several times).   Broken cranks and connecting rod bearing failure following a piston failure are another story.  But obviously that's not a possibility or they would have told him he had a compression issue also.

And finally #3. A rough crankshaft bearing would not cause hesitation on acceleration....which was the original complaint.

 

Sorry about the long post, this kinda stuff fuels me. 😁

Although I have zero mechanical knowledge about anything mechanical, I gotta say again that I love reading your posts about mechanical stuff!

I always feel way smarter afterwards and that's a great and rare feeling for my dummazz.

Thanks for lending such substantial expertise to the forum - I find it to be quite the bonus.

[fishinwrench]

 Well thank you!