Happy New Year Everyone,

My Boat has 525's in it with about 170 hours, run in fresh water and salt water, always flush, oil changes every 25 hours on motors and 50 on the drives. Drives pulled and alignment checked 2 times a year.

My questions is when do I need to consider something more than the "routine Maintenance" on these motors?

Thanks,

Mark

You're really opening a big can of worms here,,,,,,,,,,,,
200 hours would be a good time to pull the covers and visually inspect the valve train, possibly checking the spring tension.

My buddy's have 350 hard hours (4000-4200 cruise), mostly salt water and have had several header failures. At this point each engine had weak cylinders at 7 or 8 or both (likely due to the header leaks). The engines are torn down now and the main parts (block, crank, heads) are serviceable and could have simply been freshened and re-used.

Do the valve springs. At the same time you can check the external electrical components, Dizi, starter etc and have a good look at the entire valve train. If it leak down tests OK and oil preasure is ok then you are good to go. Springs, keepers and retainers are cheep, Holes in pistons are expensive. With what we have learned with our race boat, I would change lifters and rockers, But thats me being a little fussy, MAYBE. Jas

hey Mark .... checking the Alignment twice a year? ....do you generally have to make an adjustment ?

next question would be dont 525's have solid mounts ?

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_...tes+%2D+Engine

What year 525's are you all talking about..sc/sci?

Thanks for the info guys.

By alignment, I mean remving the drive and checking the driveshaft alighment and also checking the visible parts for any wear an tear. Checking Bellows and lubricating everything. So far no problems at all.

The 525's are EFI built in 2005.

Will most likely check valve train after this season in Florida along with other routine maint stuff.

We have about 280 hrs on ours and are doing the springs this winter. We have also had numerous header problems.

with solid mounts there is no adjusting ..not trying to bash your method .. I am repowering and planned to go with solid mounts ... I was concerned about getting it right and at 600hp was discouraged from using them .. Again with no more time it takes to pull the drives its prob time well spent ....

I should clarify, My Mechanic/Wrench Guy checks my drives. I thought there was an alignment, apparently not.