C M I 's
01-04-2008, 03:58 PM
#11
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: montauk new york. usa
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THats the advice I seem to be getting ,Take them off and pressure test ,otherwise I guess its an expensive crap shoot!!! Is taking them off and reinstalling a do it yourself Job, I've swapped out old mercruiser logs for Stainless Marine once ,not too difficult , and this time theres more room between motors ( one of the benefits of going bigger ) Any Advice? or Tips ?
01-04-2008, 04:27 PM
#12
Geronimo36
Gold Member
As Griff stated, the 500 uses the Elbow Top Header which is a very durable long lasting header. The 525 used a Merc specified and designed header that appears to have higher failure rate than other designs.
Providing the headers were drained and/or flushed if used in salt water, properly winterized in cold climates and had adequate water flow while running, they will last as long as any other exhaust system.
You can pressure test them and if there is an issue, they can usually be repaired.
If we can help, let us know.
Kirk
Ateco Engine and Dyno Shop
Providing the headers were drained and/or flushed if used in salt water, properly winterized in cold climates and had adequate water flow while running, they will last as long as any other exhaust system.
You can pressure test them and if there is an issue, they can usually be repaired.
If we can help, let us know.
Kirk
Ateco Engine and Dyno Shop
One of the competitors offers a 5 yr warranty. Will CMI and or Stelling's offer the same?
01-04-2008, 04:33 PM
#13
Geronimo36
Gold Member
One more pic....
On a seperate note, a friend of mine told me today that he has to replace all three sets of the headers on his triple engine 525 boat with only 240 hrs on them.
On a seperate note, a friend of mine told me today that he has to replace all three sets of the headers on his triple engine 525 boat with only 240 hrs on them.
01-04-2008, 04:37 PM
#14
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01-04-2008, 06:54 PM
#16
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i cant speak for the sport tubes on the 525s but my e topps on the 500 are from 1999 i believe it was the first year of the 500 efi i have 300 hrs i live in jersey i run in salt and fresh water. im sure there a lot of stories not being told, were they all winterized properly did they pull the drain plugs on the dist. tubes after the water before the antifreeze.
01-05-2008, 02:37 PM
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my friend is going thru issues now with his 525's
approx 50 hrs and merc started to give him a tough time, then came around and sent new parts. he still has to pay some of the labor. engine were less that a year old.
he did ask if it could happen again and in replacements were different. he did not get an answer
approx 50 hrs and merc started to give him a tough time, then came around and sent new parts. he still has to pay some of the labor. engine were less that a year old.
he did ask if it could happen again and in replacements were different. he did not get an answer
01-05-2008, 03:30 PM
#19
Geronimo36
Gold Member
the boat is a late model epoxy OL. Last year...about 75 hrs ago...they had the header crack (it was repaired) on the center engine and it wiped out all of the valve springs from rust.....luckilly they didn't drop a valve. Now all three engines are being rebuilt and they should have lasted 500+ hours with regular maintenance. the boat was always properly maintained and properly winterized etc....no secrets...
It seems to me that Mercury feels these are "wear items" and need to be replaced every couple of years and the warranty program they offer isn't covering header failures. If they sell it as a package, it should be warrantied as a package IMHO.
It seems to me that Mercury feels these are "wear items" and need to be replaced every couple of years and the warranty program they offer isn't covering header failures. If they sell it as a package, it should be warrantied as a package IMHO.
Last edited by Panther; 01-05-2008 at 03:32 PM. Reason: add
01-05-2008, 03:35 PM
#20
Geronimo36
Gold Member
Some people I know (very low numbers) have had them since the late 90's without any problems and others I know went thru sets like they were going out of style.
