Oil pump failure??? - The Hull Truth

sbra27 · 08-26-2006, 05:09 PM

After having the number 6 piston on my motor shatter, the mechanic tells me that the cause was an oil pump failure. My question to anyone who has any advice is: what would cause an oil pump to fail? This is on a 2000 Mercury 150xl with only 40hrs on it. When I asked him what would cause it, he didn't offer any suggestions, just that I needed to buy a new motor (which he just happened to have). The only thing I am questioning is the fact that the only thing he did tell me was that I could probably put another powerhead on the motor and the oil pump could work fine, because it is mechanical. Does this sound right? Just looking for some answers. Is there a way I can tell if the pump is really bad? I have been told by several people that it is very rare for an oil pump to fail. Also is there any type of warning alarm for the oil pump like on other brands or did Mercury omit this? Thanks for any input...

iron banks · 08-26-2006, 05:57 PM

Seems like I have read that the 2.5L blocks had a plastic gear in the oil pump that wear or strips with heat. Appparently you don't get the alarm for the oil system with this failure

I think a lot of guys with that engine disconnected and mixed 50:1. Price a new powerhead and premix 50:1 and you should be good. Strong engines when they have fuel and oil.

Martino110 · 08-26-2006, 08:29 PM

I recently received a flyer from a company called Marine Solutions Inc. They manufacture an aftermarket electronic oil injection system billed as "fast, reliable, and economical repair of oil gear failures on 1989-2005 Mercury/Mariner 135-200 V-6 outboards, 1995-2001 Mercury/ Mariner 3L outboards, and 1997-2005 175hp V-6 Sport jet engines." I find it hard to believe that this is such a widespread problem, but apparently this company makes $$$ with this product.

sbra27 · 08-26-2006, 10:44 PM

Is this from the motor running hot or just heat in general?

WildeOne · 08-27-2006, 09:49 AM

Gear failures don't seem to be heat related. In my case, the motor never was run hot.

t3rockhall · 08-27-2006, 10:19 AM

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/ref...Injection.html

Ktrain · 08-27-2006, 10:47 AM

i would be interested in buyin' ur old motor...........let me know

sbra27 · 08-27-2006, 02:51 PM

t3rockhall, thanks for the link that helps a lot. Do you know if this is the same for the 2000 year model? The mechanic told me that there was no alarm on it...

t3rockhall · 08-27-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

sbra27 - 8/27/2006 1:51 PM

t3rockhall, thanks for the link that helps a lot. Do you know if this is the same for the 2000 year model? The mechanic told me that there was no alarm on it...

Well, I have a 1999 (new in 2000) 200 EFI that most assuredly has an alarm on it. My lack of use recently cause the alarm to sound because it wassn't putting oil in the on-block reservoir. It's a wimpy little beep-beep-beep like the one you should get when you turn the key to ON but before you crank the engine.

KevinM · 08-28-2006, 11:37 AM

I am at the understanding that Merc fixed the palstic gear problem and redesigned the pump drive. Earlier ones did have the plastic gear strip, but it should not be a problem in newer engines.