97 Merc 175 EFI

jorgeinmiami · #1 03-17-2011, 04:50 PM

Looking at a 97 Merc 175 EFI that the owner says has either a bad piston or rings either way it's locked up.

The rest of the engine looks good except for the skeg that I'm not surprised since it's on a flats baot is missing a little.

I can have the engine for $200

What could be the cause to lose a piston or rings ( I know it hard to say since I have not taken off the head) but what do you think would be the costs involved?

he states that everything else is ok with lower unit and trim and electronics but it would be hard to check since its off the boat

OPINIONS PLEASE!!!!

pelican · #2 03-17-2011, 07:38 PM

"piston" ? "rings" ?

pull the cylinder heads off-see what everything looks like inside the cylinders - if the tops are blown or melted off the pistons,it's a result of detonation...it usually effects the top cylinders-heat rises...problem comes in if the crank is damaged...usually,what happens is a cylinder detonated-and "shrapnel" is shot around-blocks are damaged,rods are damaged,and cranks are damaged...
either way,the engine's gotta come apart,to really make a diagnosis-either way,you're looking at either a full powerhead overhaul,or,a new powerhead...my opinion-$200,no deal...you're buying a cat in a bag,yep,you can see if the lower unit shifts,and the hydraulics-tilt and trim work-but,that it...it's all a guess...what caused the failure ? engines don't fail on their own,something causes the failure...personally,i would pass on that deal...a 14yr old blown engine,is no deal @ $200...

eggsuckindog · #3 03-17-2011, 08:41 PM

Losing a piston won't lock it up - a rod yes - chances are the block and crank may be shot - the LU and electronics are worth more than 200 if you want to part it out. You have the switch boxes maybe 150 - ECU - LU - stator ect. On the other hand a drop-on PH could be about 2K, check at Scream & Fly for PH's and drop-ons. You can also check for prices on the parts you have.

Just don't count on that being rebuildable

pelican · #4 03-17-2011, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Losing a piston won't lock it up - a rod yes - chances are the block and crank may be shot - the LU and electronics are worth more than 200 if you want to part it out. You have the switch boxes maybe 150 - ECU - LU - stator ect. On the other hand a drop-on PH could be about 2K, check at Scream & Fly for PH's and drop-ons. You can also check for prices on the parts you have.

Just don't count on that being rebuildable

that engine has cdm's-,no switch boxes-old school mercs have switch boxes...
problem comes in with,you don't know if any of those parts are good-ask yourself the question,"would you buy a used ECU"...

jorgeinmiami · #5 03-17-2011, 09:35 PM

Yea I thought about it all afternoon and I'm going to pass

pelican · #6 03-17-2011, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Yea I thought about it all afternoon and I'm going to pass

very smart man you are !

Bigshrimpin · #7 03-17-2011, 11:12 PM

Generally speaking . . . if the powerhead turns over a full 360 degrees without binding up and there is no hole in the block . . . there's a very very good chance it's rebuildable. If it's locked up solid . . . the crank is generally junk and there's about a 25% chance the block is rebuildable.

EFI stuff is worth $400 - $500 alone

eggsuckindog · #8 03-17-2011, 11:37 PM

LIke I said loom at S & F all kinds of stuff over there