MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

I am posting from my wife's computer.........because I believe I got the new "boot virus" and my puter is puked.
ANYWAY..........it has come to my attention that the boat I am trying to sale has 150 hrs on it and the person looking at the boat says that it needs new valve springs. Now, I thought that this was only for big blocks that a lesser than 500 EFI's, because the springs that they sell you to put in 500 HP's and etc are the 500 EFI springs and kit. I thought I read something a year ago or so, that 500 EFI's have no valve spring issues. ANY INPUT would gratly appreciated. Because trying to talk to someone from Merury Racing is like getting an interview with the president or pope.
For example.........if you could run your boat from start up to shut down at 100 mph....then 150 hours would only be 15,000 miles. So, they don't make a motor that last longer than 15,000 miles or even 20,000 miles (200 hrs)????

Now I am going to work on my puter

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

Boats cannot be compared to mileage. There is way more load and stress on a boat motor. If you want to sell the boat, depending on agreed price, do what the buyer wants and be done with it. Arguing with him will kill your deal.

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

The HP500 carb motors had the valve spring problems.

You should be fine with your EFI motor.

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

Generally, the springs should be replaced around 250 hours as a scheduled maintenance item. This is not the same problem the carb motors were having.

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

Via Bob Teague PERSONALLY...

I just sold a boat a couple weeks ago with a 200 Hour 500EFI. The prospective buyer was concerned about the "Valve Spring Issue."

The buyer called Bob and he assured him the Valve Springs were not a problem or issue on this motor, (1999 500EFI); that Mercury Racing had fixed this issue by introduction of the 500EEFI.

That prospective buyer is now the new owner.

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

Bingo

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

Downtown 42...........I do have an idea that they do not run the same, but it was a figure speech that should paralleled somewhere in use. And I know I don't run the boat at 100 mph from start to finish...........and even at that with 150 hrs.........should be alot less that 15,000 mi (so to speak)

Sydwayz....that is what I thought I remembered in an article Teague had done for a magazine.

Thanks to all for the input
Went to the shop and brought home my laptop....................still have not found out the problem nor name of the virus the main computer has

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

I have a friend that has 500EFI's and he had an issue with the starboard engine running roughso he tok it in to find out what was up. A couple of the valve springs were rusted and broken. He had the springs replaced in both engines just to be on the safe side. He was told by the shop that replaced the springs that condensation can build up under the valve covers and the springs will rust and break and that he should have the springs replaced every other season.

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

I'd put springs in it if I were keeping it.

I'd give the guy a $500 discount on the boat for valvesprings if a buyer was stuck on that point. That'll buy the springs and gaskets. The rental of a spring compressor at AutoZone is free, and a homemmade air fitting to put in the spark plug hole is about $5. Let him supply his own labor...

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

Wow, this again

I have personal experience on this, ALL 500 efi's need their springs replaced around 250 hours at the most. I waited until 275 and had a broken inner spring, no damage but could have been, also the motor ran perfect with the broken spring.

Hey if people don't believe me just don't change your springs and you can learn the hard way.

Will Murray :drink:

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

In my experience with them in the racing world where they are running wide open most of the time the lifters and valve springs where the weak link. at around 120 hours the pins in the lifter rollers would start to get loose and the springs started getting weak. the inner spring especially would be a problem. on the pleasure boats where they are run at idle to 3500 rpm most of the time it takes a lot longer to see the wear. In reguard to the question of why cant the motor last the equivilant of 150,000 plus miles? take your new car out and run it 5000 rpm nonstop and push the clutch in and out repeatedly and see how long it lives.

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

I've got three of the carb 500's does that mean I have to replace the springs in all three at the same time. BUT I don't have the money to do it all at the same time. Can I just wait til one breaks then use the other two until one of them gives out then I'll have to fix them or ???????????????? :D:D:D:D:D:D:D :crazy:

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

I would wait until 2 of them break and them you still have one motor to get you back to port and then negotiate a bulk price on 2 motors...........which no doubt would be cheaper than doing two separately

PS.talked to the people at Merc HP today. (finally got a response)and they say they have nothing in writing about replacing valve springs. But they feel depending on the use of the motors runs anywhere from 250 hrs (racing) until 500 hrs (pleasure)

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

I replaced mine a couple of months ago @153 hrs, (2000 500EFI's) they were in pretty good shape, but a couple getting soft....probably would have made it to 200hrs. If you are a gambler and want to risk beating a lifter out of your motor then I'm sure you can press it more...not worth the risk to me. One thing that would NOT have made it thorough the season were the "junk" OE GM head gaskets.....which I can't believe Merc uses.... I had one going between #5/7 and between #3/5. :eek: :eek: I used ISKY's tool room XP endurance springs, Fel-Pro gaskets, and went ahead and had a valve job done. You can do 2 motors right, for under 1500.00 in parts.

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

I have 500 EFI's, just turned over 200 Hours and the engines run Great, and have been very well maintained.

At the Miami boat show this February I asked the question about the valve springs to two of the Mercury guys there and this is what they told me.

" You are good for 400 hours no problems, between 400 and 600 hours you may be pushing it and need to do an inspection and repair as needed. The golden hour is 600 hours!"

I have ran this by two mechanics that I trust and they say the same thing.

Currently I know of a 38 Donzi with 380 hours on the 500 EFI's and the engines have never been opened. His mechanic tells him to leave them alone, he is okay at this time! The only problem he has is a small oil leak on the front side of the port engine.

These 500's are very tough engines. Take care of them and they will run a long time!

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

MissHapp

Replace your springs, you will be very glad you did.

As for anyone who wants to push it over 250hours hey have at it, you will be posting again at the end of the summer wanting to know what a total rebuild will cost you :drink:

Oh yea and when I talked to Merc Racing they said between 200-300 hours depending on how you run it, that is the only reason I waited until 275.

WILL

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

There is no problem replacing the springs or even giving a credit to the perspective buyer. Buy when it comes down to the point where they use it as a point to bad mouth the boat because it's at it's life expectancy that's different.
I think it might come down to "who" has everyone talked to at Mercury. Because I did talk to Mark M yesterday and he said what is posted above

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

I'm with 27 Fountain!

I just did mine at 248 hours, and there were soft springs! Tested them after change! Also another noticable difference is how qiute they are at low rpms now. I hadn't noticed it before, but all hear now is the drive!

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

If the guy was a jerk then you have a point.

If not, then you want some objections in a sales negotiaton from the buyer. You can address it with your point and let him win. The winner will be you with cash in hand and boat down the road!!

Looks like you own 2 now?

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

Does anyone have a price on this spring replacement job??

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

I just did the job for Brad Schoenwald. I first scanned the computers for codes, then did a compression test on warm engines with wide-open throttles.
Entire job took 10 hours and the springs were about $500.00.

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

Isky toolroom springs, retainers and keepers,1000.00,I did mine last year @200 hr the springs were weak, head gaskets were about to blow "verry thin between cyls. 2000efis.

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

I just replaced mine on a 2000 hp500 carb. 350hrs on the engines, and not 1 broke spring. definately pushing it on a carb and those amount of hours. my head gaskets were about to go as well.

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

Yeah, it's closer to riding a car in 3rd gear at 4000 rpms up hill for 200 hrs.

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

10 Hours?? We were having so much fun it felt more like two!

Thanks Mr. Cozzi

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

If it ever warms up around here I am looking forward to our shake-down cruise.

Brad is a great helper and if he wasn't there 10 hours would never be enough to do it like we did.

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

What are the problems they have with the carb motors???

Re: MYTHBUSTERS...........On 500EFI valve springs
 

Sorry Ed-We ran Sunday--I know, it was wicked cold and the wind was about 20-25 kts so I busted out my old Alaska wear. My neighbor still thinks I'm nuts but I didn't want to wait and with the wind out of the NW it gave us a decent lee close to the beach. "Tubbs" and I ran out of Port Everglades and everything is good, it was a little rough but we were able to run WOT for a bit and got great numbers for the conditions.

Thanks again and call me anytime so I can get you back out...