meanwhile at Iowaboy1's shop

I admire your ability to deal with , um, stupidity iowaboy.
I enjoy reading your posts, but 90% are due to the owners neglect
or lack of common sense. Keep up the good work! WKW

Hey Iowaboy1,
With all the shop work have you been able to make time for flying?

So we are scheduled heavily again only this time with winterizations and this comes in on a 25 HP Mercury.
I hooked the hose up,started it, and the thing started pumping water slowly at first then a few seconds later came on full stream, ( no old man jokes !! ).

This motor is on a pontoon that sits in a local lake that is known for heavy algae growth and moss mats as far as you can see.
I shut it off and started checking things out and found this, plugged water intake screens.

removed them, cleaned them, and flushed the rest of the motor, it pumped normally after that.
I warned the customer to keep a vigilant eye on it next year, he was sick thinking about the possibility of cooking the motor after he paid me big bucks two months ago to fix an ignition and charging issue,,,, due to a 7 year old never start battery that is junk.

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Iowaboy1 wrote:

So we are scheduled heavily again only this time with winterizations and this comes in on a 25 HP Mercury.
I hooked the hose up,started it, and the thing started pumping water slowly at first then a few seconds later came on full stream, ( no old man jokes !! ).

This motor is on a pontoon that sits in a local lake that is known for heavy algae growth and moss mats as far as you can see.
I shut it off and started checking things out and found this, plugged water intake screens.

removed them, cleaned them, and flushed the rest of the motor, it pumped normally after that.
I warned the customer to keep a vigilant eye on it next year, he was sick thinking about the possibility of cooking the motor after he paid me big bucks two months ago to fix an ignition and charging issue,,,, due to a 7 year old never start battery that is junk.

Sheldon, that resembles the coffee filters that was in the Mr. Coffee maker that I saw in your shop last time I was there,,,, Just saying!

Denny O wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>iowaboy1 wrote:</div>
So we are scheduled heavily again only this time with winterizations and this comes in on a 25 HP Mercury.
I hooked the hose up,started it, and the thing started pumping water slowly at first then a few seconds later came on full stream, ( no old man jokes !! ).

This motor is on a pontoon that sits in a local lake that is known for heavy algae growth and moss mats as far as you can see.
I shut it off and started checking things out and found this, plugged water intake screens.

removed them, cleaned them, and flushed the rest of the motor, it pumped normally after that.
I warned the customer to keep a vigilant eye on it next year, he was sick thinking about the possibility of cooking the motor after he paid me big bucks two months ago to fix an ignition and charging issue,,,, due to a 7 year old never start battery that is junk.

Sheldon, that resembles the coffee filters that was in the Mr. Coffee maker that I saw in your shop last time I was there,,,, Just saying!

Dang it Denny ! you were not supposed to see my super secret AIS test pot where I am conducting studies on whether or not Kellogg water is safe to drink or be used as an aquacide.
Since you were there last that pot in its entirety dissolved like a styrofoam cup filled with gasoline.

Dang it Denny ! you were not supposed to see my super secret AIS test pot where I am conducting studies on whether or not Kellogg water is safe to drink or be used as an aquacide.
Since you were there last that pot in its entirety dissolved like a styrofoam cup filled with gasoline.

[/quote]

Thats how we used to make a “napalm” as kids. That sh!+ would burn forever

I little Jose’ will clean them parts right up

Where you got that patient on the operating table just in time Sheldon. Those clogged up screens have blown engine written all over them.

I worked on a 15 horse Merc a few years back that wasn’t so lucky. Owner went out duck hunting and plugged up the intake with mud. Everything that could be wrong was. Totally blown. Too bad as that outboard was in perfect condition.

So lately I have taken on a complete powerhead replacement for a 225 Optimax that went kablooey after an air injector tip decided to part company with its host component after 220 hours, and it was a manmade fault that occurred due to sloppy workmanship, pics will follow as I move forward starting next Monday, I have devoted a week to this job as I want absolute perfection.

Twice in the last week I have had two fuel related issues come in, the bottle on the left is almost a half and half blend of water and gas, Merc 90 HP on a small Ranger that the owner left the plug in the bilge and a heavy rainstorm filled the hull.
Dang sending unit gasket had a crack in it and let in 10 or so gallons of water during an inch plus hour deluge.
The guy tried firing the motor unaware of the problem and it backfired in such a way that it blew the diaphragm in the fuel pump clean across its width.
Repairs were made and it now runs great once again.

The bottle on the right, CHEESENFRIGGINICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I detest and will not tolerate laziness, stupidity, and the idea that you can sucker a fellow into buying something that is supposedly ready for the water, especially when you are spending over one dollar, or any amount for that matter !!!
The fuel tank that this gourd green fuel was taken out of is a high end boat with a very expensive engine!!
The vessel this involves is a few years old, so was the fuel, no excuses for this leaving where it did.
Its not the value of something, its the principle of the matter!! and the idea that you are willing to lie your ass off in the name of profit now, profit after the sale when you sell the guy a new motor and keep ramming it john holmes deep into someone I hope that dealership goes under soon!!

This vessel was sold water ready, not only did it have an Optimax on it, it also had a 9.9 kicker on it, fuel from both motors wasnt fit to light a damn campfire!!
Not only that, the lower units were supposedly serviced yet they had the original oil in them, and I had to use a rubber mallet to drive the prop off of the main motor!
How did I know the oil was from the factory?? less than fifty hours on both thats how and both lower units oil had break in glitter in them!!

I had fired the main motor in the shop and immediately shut it off due to the smell of combusted fuel, you could tell it was nasty even if you dont know motors.
We drained the fuel out of the fuel system, treated it heavily with Neutra 131, filled the tank with fresh 91 non oxy and fired it again, you can tell the difference with idle quality alone.
Lord that Opti sounds great when you pin the loud handle!!
The little 9.9 spit and sputtered while the carb cleaned out and settled into a nice smooth idle.
Time on the water will tell us what happens from here.

Two pics of why we always pull props off during a winterization, lower unit seals dont last long with line, grass, whatever is and can be wrapped around the shaft.

Guys, I will never die rich but I will die knowing that I did the best I can with the abilities given me, that alone makes me wealthy in the respect I served my fellow man without profit in mind.

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Sheldon that bottle on the right looks like something a certain guy from Mn.would sip on while drinking a corona.

chuck100 wrote:

Sheldon that bottle on the right looks like something a certain guy from Mn.would sip on while drinking a corona.

Chuck, you and I both witnessed that one night back in Oct I think, or was it March?? I cant remember cause I think he slipped both of us some of that when we werent looking !!

A little red bull in there and I’m gtg!

Iowaboy1 wrote:

So lately I have taken on a complete powerhead replacement for a 225 Optimax that went kablooey after an air injector tip decided to part company with its host component after 220 hours, and it was a manmade fault that occurred due to sloppy workmanship, pics will follow as I move forward starting next Monday, I have devoted a week to this job as I want absolute perfection.

Twice in the last week I have had two fuel related issues come in, the bottle on the left is almost a half and half blend of water and gas, Merc 90 HP on a small Ranger that the owner left the plug in the bilge and a heavy rainstorm filled the hull.
Dang sending unit gasket had a crack in it and let in 10 or so gallons of water during an inch plus hour deluge.
The guy tried firing the motor unaware of the problem and it backfired in such a way that it blew the diaphragm in the fuel pump clean across its width.
Repairs were made and it now runs great once again.

The bottle on the right, CHEESENFRIGGINICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I detest and will not tolerate laziness, stupidity, and the idea that you can sucker a fellow into buying something that is supposedly ready for the water, especially when you are spending over one dollar, or any amount for that matter !!!
The fuel tank that this gourd green fuel was taken out of is a high end boat with a very expensive engine!!
The vessel this involves is a few years old, so was the fuel, no excuses for this leaving where it did.
Its not the value of something, its the principle of the matter!! and the idea that you are willing to lie your ass off in the name of profit now, profit after the sale when you sell the guy a new motor and keep ramming it john holmes deep into someone I hope that dealership goes under soon!!

This vessel was sold water ready, not only did it have an Optimax on it, it also had a 9.9 kicker on it, fuel from both motors wasnt fit to light a damn campfire!!
Not only that, the lower units were supposedly serviced yet they had the original oil in them, and I had to use a rubber mallet to drive the prop off of the main motor!
How did I know the oil was from the factory?? less than fifty hours on both thats how and both lower units oil had break in glitter in them!!

I had fired the main motor in the shop and immediately shut it off due to the smell of combusted fuel, you could tell it was nasty even if you dont know motors.
We drained the fuel out of the fuel system, treated it heavily with Neutra 131, filled the tank with fresh 91 non oxy and fired it again, you can tell the difference with idle quality alone.
Lord that Opti sounds great when you pin the loud handle!!
The little 9.9 spit and sputtered while the carb cleaned out and settled into a nice smooth idle.
Time on the water will tell us what happens from here.

Two pics of why we always pull props off during a winterization, lower unit seals dont last long with line, grass, whatever is and can be wrapped around the shaft.

Guys, I will never die rich but I will die knowing that I did the best I can with the abilities given me, that alone makes me wealthy in the respect I served my fellow man without profit in mind.

Water ready,I have heard that line of bull before.I would document that,and tell the owner to have stealership make it right or?One of our local boat dealers likes to sell motors that have been”gone over”with water pump impellers that mysteriously crumble after the so-called warranty is up.

MileMark, one of the first questions I ask is, how long has it been since the impeller was replaced or do you have a record of it?
More often than not I get a shrug of the shoulders and it is immediately made known that the motor will not leave the shop without that assignment being done.

One thing I like being an independent shop, I have control over every aspect of how things are done.
Like my dad kicked into my head over fifty years ago, it takes less time to do something right than it does to explain why you did it wrong.
God bless you dad!!

Yes the dark fuel came out of the boat that I just purchased. 2007 – 1950 Tyee Magnum with under 50 hours on the 225 Opti and a 9.9- 4 stroke kicker. All were purchased by the previous owner, whom has passed away maybe a couple of years ago.

Now with my motors in Sheldon’s care, I feel like I have a nearly brand new boat.

Wholey Carp those Optis really bark like a pizzed off wild cat when they fire off!

Iowaboy1 wrote:

MileMark, one of the first questions I ask is, how long has it been since the impeller was replaced or do you have a record of it?
More often than not I get a shrug of the shoulders and it is immediately made known that the motor will not leave the shop without that assignment being done.

One thing I like being an independent shop, I have control over every aspect of how things are done.
Like my dad kicked into my head over fifty years ago, it takes less time to do something right than it does to explain why you did it wrong.
God bless you dad!!

You get a sheet that everything was checked ok.My guess is that it pumped ok at time of sale,but the one I helped a guy change obviously was dry rotted from age.You would think if it was indeed inspected,they would change the impeller?This was an early 90s Evinrude with probably original impeller.

Glad to hear your rig is back in tip too shape Denny O! With all the modern additives available and how cheap they are, it always surprises me when you see fuel that looks like that. An ounce of prevention….. lol!

Iowaboy- keep the posts coming, I know I sure enjoy all the stories!

Thanks for the kind words gmctruxman!! I hope I keep you and others entertained and that you learn something from it.
As far as additives, yep, there are some good ones out there but gasoline will eventually break down over a long period of time, its the nature of the beast.
That fuel in the bottle had some remnants from when it was new in 07.

So whats so new that I am posting again in less than a week??
Sadly its a 03 Merc 225 Optimax with only 220 hours on it, in its short life it has received an oil pump transplant, a new air compressor, and now a remanufactured powerhead.
It will be getting all new air and fuel injectors, and all new Boyesen carbon fiber reeds.

Check out the reed plates I removed today after pulling the powerhead.
It should be obvious as to whats wrong, I hope I dont have to start singing the old sesame street song, three of things are not like the other lol.
I will keep posting pics as we go, with the problems this motor has had and from I am finding it hasnt ran like it should in some time, I am betting the owner will be grinning from ear to ear when he hears the bark this thing will have when its done !

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I can attest that when the muffs are it and started in the shop they sound fierce! When in the water floating and the cowl is on they are a tamed alley cat, very responsive tho!.

In the last week I have had the extreme privilege to serve a new customer,( note, I diagnosed his boat over a month ago) by installing a reman powerhead on his 225 Optimax, the poor thing only has 220 hours on it and is an early model from 2003.
When it came in it was hurting something terrible, very low compression on two cylinders, so poorly I never fired it.
Bore scope inspections showed two beat to heck pistons and I called it quits, we either repower the thing or replace the powerhead.
A bit of history as I learned as I went, a new oil pump, a new air compressor, all in its short life.
When I tore it down I discovered broken reed valves, wtf??? I will bet this is one of the horrible lemons you read of regardless of brand and it wrecks the reputation of every motor after it.

The decision was made after many estimates of which way to go with it, Merc reman, after market reman, repower?
I understand the position of each and every customer and I respect that, their wish is my command, well, within reason that is.
After much debate we settled on a reman powerhead that is not only cost effective it comes from a supplier that I have spent tens of thousands with the last two years and I trust them without question, ya gotta love a relationship like that!!

The newly reman powerhead showed up two weeks ago waiting on me to install it,mind you its been a few years since I have bid a job like this, I was not afraid of the challenge as I have been in deeper situations than this and I bid it where I would not chase the customer off.
But good grief !!! I had to switch out every stinking fitting, case drains and oil supply lines alike !! I was not counting on that!!
Sadly there is no longer available what is called a dressed powerhead where every wire, starter, alternator, sensor, you name it comes preassembled and you switch it out in three hours, I had to move everything over!!

Ten hours actually took twenty, oh well, if the ship sales and the customer is happy, that is where it is at!!
I will gain a new repeat customer, a fishing buddy, and most importantly a new friend.
Thanks to my MEDS system I was able to prime the electronic oil pump, the fuel pumps, and reset the break on procedure all in one.
I fired it off today with all new air injectors, all new fuel injectors, a freshly rebuilt pulse pump by yours truly, etc.
Wish I could post a vid here !! as Denny O says,,,one pissed off wildcat!!

I know the pix dont serve justice, use your imagination to what I went through, please feel sorry for me every chance you get lol.
And per me, every factory bracket, every zip tie, and my twist on it to dress it out personally was served up Iowaboy1 style.
To those that get it, please pray with me that this motor runs thousands of hours beyond its pre 220 hour failure!!

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I also rebuilt each and every pressure regulator of which there were three, easy enough but very time consuming.
Six new spark plugs at 22 bucks each, OUCH!!! And you bet, I also installed a new water pump impeller, boys, I dont take chances!!!

Robert, thanks for letting me serve you, I hope you find the drive to us was worth the time and expense, and that we served you as you would serve your customer..
Sheldon

Well done, please remind the owner to give that Opti a good long warm up every time out.

Dutchboy wrote:

Well done, please remind the owner to give that Opti a good long warm up every time out.

That I did my northern friend, and I will teach him if he is not comfortable with the Merc program of the oil ratio of 300 to 1 at idle that he can reset the break in period at any moments notice with one simple step that can be performed anywhere anytime.

I hope Bob starts chiming in as a new member here, he is a wealth of knowledge and an all around great guy, I envy him as many of his trips on big water are over 80 miles round trip.
The only thing that pizzes me off is he is much younger than I am with a much nicer boat!!
Gotta raz ya Bob !!

Ya, I know its winter time but I am getting busy with major repairs and just have to show you guys this mess.
Mercury 150 HP XRS, the poor fellow who owns it just bought the boat it came on this summer as he wanted to get in on some bass tourneys around here and on the mighty Miss.
Problem is the water was low this year as you know and he didnt have the latest intel or mapping to show him where he was at and he danged near paid for it with his life.

He hit a wing dam bending the prop shaft three quarters of an inch, not only that he floated into a sandbar plugging the water pump.
While he used his trolling motor to get out of the mess he was in a barge was coming and he fired the motor knowing it wasnt pumping water so he hammered it to get away from the barges wave.
In doing so he severely overheated the powerhead, the heat warped the heads allowing water to get into the combustion chambers and it turned to steam washing away any lubricating oil, at high rpms it didnt take long to cook this motor.

The pic of the ford bumper, C clamp, and chain holding the hood shut, I have known the owner for many years and he is tighter than a gnats ass stretched over a rain barrel, honest to Pete he could buy half of the county I live in and have twice that much left over.
Anyone recognize the chain holding the hood shut??
Most farm boys my age will, it was a quick release used on corn wagons that kept the sides of the wagon from bowing out when full of corn.
You flipped the ring off of the end and unhooked the chain so the ear corn would not bridge up behind it when the wagon was raised to be emptied.
I am sure it had many other applications but this is how I know this type of chain was used in my days on the farm.

Merry Christmas to all of my IDO family !!

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You going to attempt to fix that motor? Sounds pretty much done for to me.

You are right Dutchboy, this motor is junk, if you look at the close up of the upper part of the fried piston and its cylinder you will see where the block is broken rendering it useless.

I think in this case boat stands for: bankruptcy on a trailer.

Sounds like a bad day in the water. Now an expensive one two. So after he hit a wing damn then a sand bar he wanted to hammer the throttle…ooof

Just flew over Grinnel and waved!