Serpentine belts again

tomahawk · Newbie Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Posts: 1

Does anyone know of a tech bulletin for the MPI 350 towsports for the belt tensioner. I have had the bulletins done to align the alternator and h20 pump but the tensioner is not in the same plane. The boat is now at a Merc repair center and they have not seen the problem before. They have greatest confidence in Mercury to solve their problems but I do not share it. I've read of the others problems on this site but they are mostly dealing with the Vdrive, I have a direct drive for YES slalom skiing not boarding. Any help appreciated.

RanMan · Outlaw Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 186 City: Pittsburgh

Dude,
You have a miscast engine block. The alternator mount is cast wrong. There is a fix for it that involves a shim under one of the mounts for the alternator. Until that is done, you will continue to eat belts. At least you are lucky enough to have a DD and can see the problem. No so with a V-Drive. Took me 14 months to get it properly diagnosed and fixed. Merc should know all about the problem. Good luck.

Trash · Newbie Joined: 23 Jul 2003 Posts: 39 City: Winnipeg

Whoa Ranman. It's not the engine block that is cast wrong, but the mounting bracket for the alternator. Cheaper to install a shim than hand out a new bracket, so that's what they're doing.

Tomahawk, go to bravodrives.com They have technical bulletins there for this problem that describe what needs to be done. Direct from Mercruiser.

Trash

mmascari · Posted: Sep 10, 2003 3:04 pm Post subject:

I have the Merc bulletin if you want it. Email me at markmascari@voicepro.com and I will send it to you.

RanMan · Outlaw Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 186 City: Pittsburgh

Ok, Block, mount whatever. Merc dragged their feet for 14 months with me on mine. They can design them, but can't troubleshoot or fix them. Next time I'm going PCM or Indmar.