Anyone else having Problems with thier Merc' 350 MPI Mag?

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

I have a 350 MPI in my '02 Avalanche. Just ate through it's last serpentine belt in five minutes. Turns out my local Merc' mechanic put on the wrong belt last time. Idiot! When running, this engine is fine. But I am now going to be on my fourth belt in 140 hours. It is now at a 'Premier' Merc' shop. They seem competent but we'll see if they can fix this recurring problem. As for the 350 MPI... Guys, if I had a chance, I'd avoid it. The fuel system needed a booster pump to eliminate WOT fuel flow problems. Also, pre-booster, I accidentally ran out of gas and nothing could get it started again until we attached a outboard squeeze ball to the fuel line to pressurize the system. This was fixed with the booster pump installation. The ECM kept beeping until this problem was diagnosed and fixed. Now the serpentine belt issue. There is a pulley recall on this motor. Seems the plastic pulleys were causing problems. So now, it is in the shop getting yet another new belt and a new set of metal pulleys. Hopefully this will finally fix the thing. Although the last wrench said the alternator looked out of alignment with the rest of the belt driven accessories. If that's the case, how can that happen and why? Like I said guys, if I had a choice I'd look at PCM or Indmar. Oh and by the way, Merc' warranty service says a belt is a consumable, regardless how long it lasts. I am now weighing the cost difference between buying 16 belts to carry at all times vs. extended warranty that won't cover the belts anyway. Hmmm, what to do...
Maybe you guys can help... Got to mercurymarine.com and click on contact us. Just drop them an email asking why they are having such problems with thier 350 MPI. Maybe they'll decide to kick their service network in the a$$ and get the things fixed. Sorry about he long post. Had to vent. By the way, it's perfect out today. Arrggghhh...

Mike · Addict Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 536 City: Orlando

I have that engine and haven't had one single problem in 200 hours.

Steelerguy · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 518

You aint kiddin about the weather today Ran Man... Im walking down to the river right now (lunch time) Hopefully things hold off for this weekend... Fingers crossed.

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

Mike,
What year is your motor? Glad to hear someone is having no problems.

Steelerguy,
Yeah it's beautiful out. Boat is in the shop. Do I seem frustrated?

Steelerguy · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 518

Just a bit..... We took our boat on sunday. Needless to say we didnt get far before we had to get towed back in. seems the owner before us left a piece of impeller cloged in the hose, and she started to overheat. we looked at it yesturday and fixed her up... we should be good to go this weekend.... FYI the MON / Ohio is rushing... very Fast and tones of shitt floating..... the Alleghany looks descent.... Wether permitting we are headed to Lake shenango or east brandy....

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

Whenever the same problem reoccurs the problem is with the repair. Most likely your case is a rare case. I'm sure Mercury tests everything and would know if their 350 MPI burns belts like mad. Also, the fuel system was probably developed by the boat manufacturer as well.

I'm guessing the mechanic just changed the belt. Then they just changed the belt again. If your engine burns a belt that quickly they need to figure out WHY it is burning the belt, not just put another belt on. It is going to keep burning up belts until you figure out why and fix it. Don't put another belt on until the mechanic can explain why the last belt failed and how they fixed the problem.

Some causes may include:

mis-alignment in any of the pullleys
Autotensioner malfunction
sharp edges
contamination from oil/gas/etc...

How does the belt break? Does it look like it snapped from tension, was cut by something, melted?

The real cause of the belt failure should be under warranty, like maybe the misaligned alternator. Then, you should tell them you understand normal belt use isn't covered but your belts failed because of the warrenty issue.

Good Luck,
Nick
________
Spanish recipes

BillJ · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 11:22 am Post subject:

I have a 2002 Tige 20v with the same engine - just turned 300 hrs with no engine problems. I did have an impeller go out but that was expected since I should have changed it at 200 hours. I'm still on the original belt too.

Sorry to hear about your problems but maybe the new mechanic will be able to fix the problems.

garveyj · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 877 City: Savage, MN

We have had problems with our Mercury motor too....Luckily it was all covered under warranty, but I dread to find out if anything else will happen. The most costly thing on it so far was the computer went out and it would not fire all of the time....That part alone is $1500+ (again...Luckily it was covered by the warranty).

mainelaker · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 11:49 am Post subject:

Have them check the alternator alignment & sea pump bkt. We had a customers boat come in with a snapped belt & found the alternator out of alignment but it bent the pump bracket in the process. There is no reason why he can't check the alignment with a straight edge except for the fact that the Avalanche is a V-drive & the engine is in backwards so there is hardly any room back there, you get my point? (I hope) most guys would just slap another belt on & call it good unless they knew the history or were told to check for any alignment problems. Good luck with the belt situation, I'm sure a good shop will find it.
PS- was the belt replaced three other times at the same dealership or different ones who did not know there was a possible alignment issue?

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

Thanks for the input guys. The issue is, I think, that it's a V-drive and to get to the belt and brackets easily you have to take some things apart. And for some reason the guys working on my boat have been reluctant to do that. I did get an email back from Mercruiser. They claim my boat is now in competent hands. They better be right or I'll be raising Holy Heck! Just can't have this recurring problem during the short boating season.
As for the belt problem...Two different mechanics put on two separate belts. The last one discovered the alignment problem. The current one is skeptical of that being the case. I say, "Just fix the @$%&*@# thing!!! It's summer!"

Dave W · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 2:46 pm Post subject:

Bummer. That sucks. It's stories like yours that make me really nervous about engine access on a V-drive. Anyone know if engine access is better on a Malibu XTI? Seems like it should be. Not that I'll be getting one anytime soon, but that's what I want.

Has Mercruiser improved the placement of their water pump on ski engines yet? I have an older 260 hp 350 Mercruiser ski engine, and replacing the impeller is way more of an ordeal than it should be. You have to pull the whole pump out of the boat and take it all apart and stuff. Indmar has the pump right up in front and easy to get to on most of their engines that I've seen. Don't have to take anything apart, all you have to do is remove the front cover plate and change the impeller. Overall Indmars are a much cleaner setup. I swear by mercruiser for a lot of things, but I'd have to go with Indmar for ski engines.

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

Any one else with the 350 mag? Thanks guys for your input. For your info, the belt shreds then comes off. First the outer ribs come off then the whole thing flies off the pulleys. What danger is there in ingested rubber into the spark arrestor? BTW, thanks Cal Air for your email. Very helpful.

av8tens · Newbie Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 10 City: CA

Yes, I have the 350 Mag V Drive on my 2002 Supreme. The last time I had my boat in for service, I had the mechanic check for these service issues. He checked the serial number and said they do not apply to my engine. I have not had any problems (100 hours), but I have not ran it out of gas yet either.
I did have a problem with the thing intermittently not starting (or even turning over). It had something to do with that big cannon plug on the back of the engine. The dealer fixed it and I have not had any problems with that since. So far this year it has performed flawlessly.

Stillstandin · Newbie Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 11

I have a 2003 Supreme, I was heading into the ramp last weekend (luckily) when I heard a slap noise from the engine, the front of the belt was shredded. Called the dealer, they told me of the recal, the boat is in the shop now, just hope it is fixed correctly the first time. Sad

calair03 · Posted: Jun 11, 2003 9:19 am Post subject:

RanMan,
I also forgot to tell you...one of my friends that is a mechanic told me that if the rubber got into the engine it would just burn up in the engine. I guess that makes sense but it didn't sound too healthy to me. Did uou find ruber in the spark arrestor?

NAW · Posted: Jun 11, 2003 9:40 am Post subject:

Must be time for everyones belt to shred....mine did on Friday A.M. , but the time I had it fixed it was raining Neutral

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

Calair,
I'm sure merc' would claim that's their proprietary rubber induction system. Designed to keep the rubber dust from dirtying up the engine compartment.
OK, to be fair regarding Merc'. I got a call this AM from them. Evidently they have gotten some of my calls and emails to the right people. They are working very closely with the premier Merc' shop to get my boat fixed and checked out like new. They are replacing the pulleys and belt. Checking the alignment of all the pulleys including water pump and alternator. Also checking the spark arrestor for rubber bits. Then they authorized a two hour water test to certify the performance and the repair. I'm very encouraged and hope this will be the end of it. Mercury Marine may be #1 on the water, as they claim, after all. Keep an eye on this space for updates. Also, anyone having problems with thier merc', let me know. I've phone numbers and email addresses of important people there. Cool