Merc Racing 525efi
 

I'm in the process of selecting engines for a repower. I've been getting a lot of negative feedback from owners of the Merc Racing 525efi. They tell me there are reversion problems with the headers due to the aggressive cam and the heads are damaged within 80 hours. I understand there may be a class action suite?

Anyway, can anyone verify the problem or recommend a good alternative for engines. (Chief, Sterling...?)

Thanks

As far as I know, the engines are solid, it's just the leaky POS CMI headers that come with them that cause the problems. Throw some other exhaust system on them and they are fantasic engines...

Yeah the cam is not the problem. Any motor can suck in water if the headers leak in the right spot. Mercury got CMI to build cheaper headers to save money and screwed what would have been a near bulletproof engine

I love the 525's in my Donzi. They fire right up every time, idle perfect, and run great around the docks. They push my big boat to mid-90's as well. I did install the better headers and have had no problems.

Mike,
When you refered to the "Better Headers" are you talking about the CMI Gen'X headers?
Thanks,
Dean

What headers did you install?

mike A.

I was told Merc changed the bolt pattern and you could not switch out the headers. If you can then this is good news. What Headers fit the block?

+3 on the 525's. $hit can any used CMI's. even the gen X's.
None of the CMI's or Merc/CMI will last long enough. (unless you do some preventive "stuff". )
Not sure the status of the legal stuff, but I think it just fizzled away.
One of these days when I have some more time I will post all the ways to make headers last longer, and do some "stuff" to avoid leaks.

There were/are reversion problems with this type engine ,Mercury even have a service bulletin out for this ,I did some digging last week in Midas /Mercury bulletins ,and Mercury mentioned the use of a silent choice systems can cause reversion problems with some boats ...depending what type boat ,and how low it sits in the water

250 hours, original headers, no problems. Run great. Don't use the silent choice above 3000 rpm.

hardin marine has 525 replacements headers,,,with the proprer bolt pattern to the heads,,,4900.00 a set,,,you can also use your old c.m.i. tail pipes,,:drink:

Guys with the headers, sorry for the delay in responding, things are in a holding pattern right now, e-mail me at [email protected] or call me 856-449-0939 (my mobile number).

I have to limit the content of what is said inmy post, I like this site, and will play by the rules (no solicitation lawsuit clients on OSO)

Stephen

I called you a couple times, you never called me back.. so...
not sure what's going on.... :confused:

Nothing has happened, not filed yet. Still gathering information. Sorry for the non-response.

(my list of laintiffs thus far has been completed, will be adding more plaintiffs, suit not filed yet)

Well it sounds like you need to spend $35k per engine and then another $5k plus labor to replace the brand new headers... I think I'm going to Chief for engines for the repower.

Chief makes great engines as do others like Eddie Young and we at Raylar Engine and any of us can build you some real nice 525 to 650 HP efi engines complete for a lot less than $35K!

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

The legal stuff is in limbo, here is a copy of an e-mail message that I have sent to the affected consumers/potential plaintiffs:

"I have just been informed that the class action law firm that I would be working with in order to file this suit, is now backing out of the class action filing. It has been suggested that localized consumer fraud cases be filed, but I am not in agreement with that course of action even though it is a legal alternative. I am still of the thinking that there is a faulty marine header in the market place and therefore it is a class of consumers that has been affected and deserve to have their case(s) heard.



Until I find a deep pocket litigation-firm to back me, I not am not sufficiently capitalized to commence this suit (my pockets aren't deep enough). Sorry for the delay in responding, I have been put on hold by this firm for three months just to have this blow-up in my face after compiling all the information and working diligently at this issue. I hope that I can be of help to you, I will keep you informed of what will happen next, but for the time being the class action lawsuit is dead in the water."

Stephen

After the fourth rebuild on a pair of 525's, I put on the Hardin Marine headers and no problems with leaking headers since.

P.S. No silent choice on my boat, came off the first week I got the boat