WallytheGator

This is my first post here but everyone needs to know about this pending problem with new 4 Stroke Mercury. I spent $20,000 on a new Mercury 250 Four Stroke 5 months ago....It ran perfectly on Sat when I parked it in my boat slip. I tilted the motor up and went inside for the night, and it rained. 6 am Sunday morning, I lowered the motor and it would not start....nothing....I thought maybe a bad battery so I used the jump system in my new Ranger and still nothing. It would not even turn over. I took it to the dealer Monday am only to find the because the motor was tilted and it rained, water came in the cowl, into the intake and made its way into the cylinders. It wouldn't start due to water in cylinders unbeknownst to me and as I tried to start it, the pistons cracked......It ran perfectly fine the day before....I had no idea water got in the cylinders. Mercury would not warrant the repair....After several conversations direct with Mercury, I was told there was nothing they would do to help me. NOTHING!!!!! After being a loyal customer for 40 years and even now owning 4 Mercury motors, I will NEVER trust this brand again. They know they have a cowl problem, they know water can get into cylinders...NO warnings in manual, no warnings on motor or no mornings told to me when I bought it. But Mercury says they are here to help...GARBAGE!!!!!!

lookinforsnook

WallytheGator, I'd like to introduce you to caseyswfl. You two should talk.

https://www.thehulltruth.com/members/caseyswfl.html

Flatout71

Seems odd. I have a neighbor with the exact same engine that is about 12 months+ old. He keeps his on full tilt here in SWFL whenever it's not in use and we have 50+ inches of rain a year. Some days 2-3 inches in an hour. He has never had a problem.

Mcboaterson

Mercury wont warranty 2020 400HP / Invincible 40' quads

weeki wachee life

I have a new Mercury 300 V8 that I keep trimmed up when parked and I live in Florida where we get rain almost every afternoon, I've had no problems. I'm sorry that you are having these problems but there has to be more to this story. If water ingress was as easy as it running into the cowl and cylinders when trimmed up the internet would be on fire with these stories.

Diesel Dawg

So the dealer told you that your engine filled with water due to rain coupled with Mercury's defective design? They then called Mercury and explained precisely how they know that the design is defective, that you, the customer, is not at fault, and Mercury told them to tell you that they know about the defect but still insist that you go pound sand? Something seems off here. Mercury obviously designed their cowling to mitigate rain water, otherwise almost every single unit sold would suffer this same fate. Do you know anyone who could get to your boat that might want to stick a water hose in your cowling intake? Did you happen to give the engine a good "bath" while trimmed up before going in on Saturday?

TripleCrownNC

Is that you Casey? Asking for a friend.

weeki wachee life

After re reading the OP's post, he never turned the engine over after it was running fine and parked. If the battery was dead or what ever caused "It would not even turn over" that means that what ever caused the cracked pistons was done by the dealer??
I would also think that water ingress through the fuel system is much more likely.

CJFL

Wally is small business owner local to me. I've done business with him and although I am not personal friends with him, I know him to be a stand-up guy who runs an honest shop with high quality product. I also know he is a generous donor to the local fishing community and several non-profit groups benefiting recreational angling.

They honestly couldn't have picked a more loyal Mercury owner to break ties with.

soleado

Yep, looks like class action! Clearly a design defect

JBS

I'm going to order one soon.But,this don't sound right?

captdz

I’m not a mechanic but I find this scenario hard to believe. Can anyone explain how this would be possible?

gotboostedvr6

I'll assume the cowl was broken and that lead to water intrusion

Takes Prizoners

pictures help. I can't think of any outboard I've had that didn't get some water through the handle area and I've not had any issues.

davidwademarine

The pistons cracked? I don’t believe you. Until pictures are posted of the disassembled powerhead, I’m calling BS. Post or PM me the serial number. I’ll check the product history and get Mercury’s side.

If you are hearing a click when you hit the key, you need a new starter. I’ve been down that road already.

We have, at this point, had over 200 of the new V6s and V8s sitting tilted on our yard when some serious rain storms have passed through. No problems. 2 were picked up yesterday that sat outside in a passing category 4 hurricane.

Icatcher22

Sounds like a warranty issue...just need to find a mechanic that actually knows what they are talking about. Water from rain in cowling not so sure about that. Get second opinion maybe run boat over to Dan at First Choice in St. Pete. Mercury guru.

Fish'nFool

Not being familiar with the old and new cowling design, is there any way for water to get into the intake while theese motors are trimmed up?

Paul Barnard

This would seem to be a simple issue to understand. Either there is a path for rain water to make it into the intakes of a tilted engine and into the powerhead or there isn't

mnotdun

OP is in Jax area. Dan @ FC is great but too far. Having pics so all the experts can decide who shot kennedy would be best.

JBS

This is the guys first thread. Go easy on him, he's new.