10 year old merc 575sci engines with zero run time, concerns?
 

My new to me fountain should be home next week sometime. The good news is the engine have very little run time, in fact it has never been in the water. The bad news is what should I expect or what is your opinion on these engines sitting for years with no running? The boat was a new left over that was repoed from National Marine. It was then put in a holding lot by the feds for a few years (the intended buyer had real big problems) before this dealer snatched it up and sold it to me.

The engines look great, and they have been ran...no issues. The sound great and rev free.

When the boat comes home I plan to do a few oil change cycles on the hose. Change the blower fluid and check the rotation for drag on the bearings. I also plan to dump and change the fluid in the XR's and fule pumps. And of course the basics like hose and belt inspections, plugs wires, leakdown.

My real concern is the valve spings that were compressed in one spot for 10 years :eekdrop: Should I have a concern? What about little needle bearings in the roller rockers sitting on one spot for ten years? valve guides? Am I being too paranoid?

Yes I am the same guy that blew 5 engines in 2 years....so I get a little worried.

Help??

Regardless of the fact that there is zero time on the motors, it's still 10 yrs old. I hope you are getting it for a steal. Several yrs back, a guy I know bought a Fountain triple with 525SC's that had sat unsold for years. Even though the motors had no use, they did not last long at all. I believe two out of the three did not make the season.

As for valve springs, the 575SCI has a very mild flat tappet cam, .559 lift. The springs might be fine but my concern would be the cam going flat after sitting so long and started sparodically. You might want to spin a filter off and cut it open.

Good luck,

Kurt

I agree with Biggus particularly on cutting open the filter. If it looks good in there I would probably run the engine as if I was breaking in a new flat tappet cam, 20 minutes not under 2000rpm. Get those lifters rotating in their bores. I would also load the crankcase with zddp additive (stp oil treatment). I wouldn't worry too much about the other stuff right off. A little marvel mystery down the spark plug holes might be a good idea too for the rings/walls.

What Kinda Shape would You be in after setting unused for 10 years??
 

Just my opinion, but any performance marine engines that have been sitting pretty much unused and unserviced for possibly ten years could have some real issues after being put back in service. Sometimes marine engines unused and sitting can be a bigger problem than the same engines with lots of use and hours.
A good compression test coupled with a MUST leakdown test may show cylinder bore rust and ring degradation and valve and seat issues and if so that's going to require refreshing the engines. Valve springs should be changed as a MUST and the valve seals at that time as both can be done on the engine without head removal. There could also be some rust and deterioration on the head gaskets that were being used back then that were not stailess so head removal may be required. As for roller rockers, if the engine was cranked only (not running) to prime the oil system and get some oil onto the rockers they might be ok, but removing valve covers and checking and readjusting valve train is easy and should be done anyway. The other issues that may show up will be gasket and seal issues from drying and cracking and only some use will show that issue.
In all, obviously the boat should have been bought "RIGHT" and there should be money in your budget for eventualities!
Be careful to realize that if your boating season is short and you have issues early in the season you will probably loose your season waiting for repair or replacement.
Hopefully you will expierence limited problems but use the old addage "Plan for the Worst and Hope for the Best!"

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

If you are going to use in salt water, take thermostat housings off and see if there is any way to coat the insides so they don't corrode. Those always had issues, and I don't think new replacements are available anymore.

Yes, good advice. I plan on opening all filters, including the factory ones that are still on it :whistle:

Loaded or unloaded for break in? STP? Did I mention I am a regional sales manager for Valvoline Oil products? hahah

Planned on flushing with this, it is just super high detergent light oil, solvent free. http://www.valvoline.com/products/va...ing-service/98

Run this moly based additive? STP..... :/ I might lose my job
http://shop.autoadditives.net/VALVOL...IVE-571214.htm

Ray, the good news is they did crank them for a while before starting, the bad news is they prob took life off the starters :)

I did buy this boat right, low enough to put $40k into the motors and still be below current market value. However, what good is a good deal if you add work plus money when you could have just bought one? The boat also needs new vinyl ($3000) cockpit cover and carpet, and some clear work.

I will perform all these checks and keep an eye on it and do more mid season checks.

A few friends that I have much respect for think it will be fine, but I want to hear from everyone!

Thanks guys

Unloaded. Any zddp ladened additive would be good for your cam and should be used ongoing. Good luck with the new boat, it sounds nice.

Well for one, the achilles heel of these motors is the head gasket. I know, mine went at 200 hours! With the blower and EFI, they go without little fore warning. It ran like a demon until went. I had lost about 100-150 RPM before it happened then died. I was going to replace the gasket at 250 hours at the end of the season, but didn't make it. If yours are later motors (2003 I think) they will have a Cometic gasket which is what you want. The stock GM piece of crap I had on it cost me the motor. Burned one of the heads and block across THREE cylinders.

Also, the blower is known to loose screws and you know where they go...through the motor. Take the time to check everyone of them is tightened. It is a great motor when running, I loved the easy starting, idling and throttle response. But if not carefully watched ( I do mean compression tested weekly which is what I should have done) a problem can hit quickly. Incidently, I know where there are 575 SCi parts locally if you need them:^P