If you own a boat, you understand how expensive repairs can be. The best Mercruiser repairs are performed by a shop with professional marine mechanics. Mercruiser manufacturers gasoline-powered inboards and sterndrives. For more than forty years, this company has built some of the best marine engines available. They are known for their quality and reliability. The engines are sold all over the world. The 40, 50, and 60 HP engines are made in China, while any engine over 75 HP is made in Wisconsin. The engines are manufactured by Mercury Marine which is owned by Brunswick Corporation. The company offers warranties on all of its engines and provides technical support both by phone and online.
Most boaters consider the Mercury Mercruiser to be one of the best marine engines ever built. It is extremely popular and easy to work on. There is a big aftermarket on Mercruiser parts since so many owners try to repair their engines themselves. This is not always a good idea since some repairs really need the skills of a trained marine technician.
Almost every engine will stop working at one time or another. Parts wear out and after so many operating hours, something is bound to give. There are two primary types of Mercruiser engines: sterndrives and inboards.
Sterndrives are the engines you can see when the boat is moving. They are propped on the rear of the boat and the propeller is dropped down into the water when the engine is started. These are easier to work on than inboards because everything is accessible. These engines are fairly easy to remove if repairs need to be done which means you don’t have to take the entire boat to the marine engine repair shop.
Inboards are another story. These engines are some of the most popular in the industry, but when they break, it usually takes a skilled marine mechanic to make repairs. These engines work on the same principles as a car engine, but with water. It runs with fixed propulsion and is water-cooled.
All of the Mercruiser engines are very reliable and it is easy to get parts. In fact, it is sometimes too easy, so it is important to ensure you are buying real Mercruiser parts and not some knock-off.
If you believe you can make your own repairs, start with the engine owner’s manual. This will provide you the information you need to get started and if you can figure it out, you will certainly save money. If your engine breaks in the middle of the summer, it will also save you time since your local marine mechanic will probably have worked back up for weeks.
Look through your manual and see if you can identify the problem. If it appears to be something you can accomplish, great. If not, you should consult with a Mercruiser marine mechanic. The best Mercruiser repairs are performed by marine mechanics trained in the Mercruiser system.
If you can fix the engine, you will probably need to order parts. This is easy to do online or through Mercruiser. Always use genuine Mercruiser parts since aftermarket or knock-off parts are often of inferior quality and may end up causing more problems. If you need help or more information, you can find tutorials online that may be able to guide you through the repair.
Just like when your car engine is not working, there are a few things you can check on before deciding if you need to take your Mercruiser engine in for repairs. If the engine isn’t turning over, check the battery. Quite often a boat battery will die since they often sit without use for long periods of time. You should also check to ensure there is power from the ignition to the engine. It may be something as simple as a blown fuse. If your engine has a circuit breaker, check that to make sure it is not tripped.
Some of the easier re[airs to make are disassembling and reassembling the water pump, adding a fuel additive, and replacing hoses. Begin with the simplest task and as you get more comfortable, work your way to the more complicated problems. The Mercruiser owner’s manual will provide information on parts and troubleshooting, as well as advice and tips for properly maintaining your Mercruiser engine.
If you discover that you can’t make the necessary repairs to your engine, you should take it a certified marine mechanic. Try and find a mechanic who is trained on Mercruiser engines. This will help ensure they understand the complexities of the Mercruiser and are qualified to make repairs. They may also be able to get parts more quickly so you don’t have to wait to get your boat back on the water.
If you are new to the area and don’t have a regular marine mechanic, check online at the Mercruiser website for names of certified mechanics in your area. You can also check with local boat sales stores since they will probably have the name of the best marine mechanics in the area. If you rent a slip at a dock, the dock manager may have the name of a good marine mechanic. Before you allow someone to work on your boat, be sure they have experience working on Mercruiser engines.
When your Mercruiser boat engine stops working, it can completely ruin your day. The best Mercruiser repairs are performed by those who are trained in working on this type of engine.