So... Merc Racing sending out new gearcase for my 300XS w/ 13 hours. Alrighty then.

[Philster]

First of all, my local Merc guy is outstanding to make this happen and track and find all the f-ups inside the gearcase from Merc.

I am posting this so others are warned and can check whatever they want accordingly:

Of course, check the fluid. Mine went milky from a loose speedo tube leaking sea water into the gearcase.

Gear wear patterns were an issue (duh).

However, there were other unrelated issues the were head-scratcher type stuff: Bearings, pinions and other bits not set up right, or it just looked like no one took a proper wrench to tighten anything down.

Apparently, last time out, I made it back to my ramp within a minute of the whole thing going to pieces.

So... check your fluid. Pay attention to noises/vibration and any performance issues. I knew something was 'not right', which explains why I took it in for a look over.

Merc doesn't send gearcases out like they are candy, so to get a new one and not just some internal parts is pretty telling of how f-ed up it was. We were expecting a battle with Merc to get one. They didn't hesitate; that's how bad it was.

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[Ramifications]

First of all, my local Merc guy is outstanding to make this happen and track and find all the f-ups inside the gearcase from Merc.

I am posting this so others are warned and can check whatever they want accordingly:

Of course, check the fluid. Mine went milky from a loose speedo tube leaking sea water into the gearcase.

Gear wear patterns were an issue (duh).

However, there were other unrelated issues the were head-scratcher type stuff: Bearings, pinions and other bits not set up right, or it just looked like no one took a proper wrench to tighten anything down.

Apparently, last time out, I made it back to my ramp within a minute of the whole thing going to pieces.

So... check your fluid. Pay attention to noises/vibration and any performance issues. I knew something was 'not right', which explains why I took it in for a look over.

Merc doesn't send gearcases out like they are candy, so to get a new one and not just some internal parts is pretty telling of how f-ed up it was. We were expecting a battle with Merc to get one. They didn't hesitate; that's how bad it was.

.

Sorry to hear about your troubles At least they are taking care of it, and quickly at that

 

[merc245]

You can't beat a good mechanic and when do find one you treat him god like, Chances are he proplerly already acts it. haha

Yrs ago my first season with the carbed245 I blew it up doing stupid things. Took it to a local guy who took a shining to me and my boat. He was the mechanic and trottle guy on a racing cat with 3 2.5's on it. Anyway he tells me that he'll turn it as a blockage causing the detonation.
he talked the adjuster into it, then he called Fon-Da-Lac(?) WS. within a week he had a brand new long block sent down and installed. I had to wait an extra week for the damn insurance check to clear to get my boat back. But what a life saver he was!
I was totally bummered when retired and moved away 10 yrs later.

 

[Chris E]

First of all, my local Merc guy is outstanding to make this happen and track and find all the f-ups inside the gearcase from Merc.

I am posting this so others are warned and can check whatever they want accordingly:

Of course, check the fluid. Mine went milky from a loose speedo tube leaking sea water into the gearcase.

Gear wear patterns were an issue (duh).

However, there were other unrelated issues the were head-scratcher type stuff: Bearings, pinions and other bits not set up right, or it just looked like no one took a proper wrench to tighten anything down.

Apparently, last time out, I made it back to my ramp within a minute of the whole thing going to pieces.

So... check your fluid. Pay attention to noises/vibration and any performance issues. I knew something was 'not right', which explains why I took it in for a look over.

Merc doesn't send gearcases out like they are candy, so to get a new one and not just some internal parts is pretty telling of how f-ed up it was. We were expecting a battle with Merc to get one. They didn't hesitate; that's how bad it was.

.

this is a good example of a great working relationship with the dealer and the warranty department. when i was in the business i rarely asked for favours and when i did they were generally whoppers (new b3 drive, complete 7.4 engine, complete alpha driver). merc knew that when we had a problem that i was calling about, it was generally a big one, and we never played monkey business with them. because of that when i asked for something i generally got it. if (on the rare occasion) that failed, then we would send the retired owner of the dealership to go down and sit in the warranty department until they approved the claim (as he would say "i'm retired - i've got all day").

i remember one fella we looked after (not our regular customer) who came up with his boat from the states and his alpha drive failed. merc gave him a complete drive and he was up and running the next day - only lost one day of his 2 week vacation - that was awesome.

i'm glad you have found yourself a good dealer - stick with him, make sure you shoot a thank you letter off to the warranty person, certainly won't hurt if you have any other issues.