Hey Scotty, this is about a boat engine, but its an engine, so please continue reading... I had the oil changed for the first time in my expensive pontoon boat with a 150 Mercury motor. As I went to go for a boat ride this weekend the boat cranked and immediately started running rough. I thought it may be air in the line or something, but after about 30 seconds I got concerned that the technician didnt replace the oil. I shut it down, put it back on the trailer (by hand) and checked the oil on dry land. The level was half way between full and add, I thought "why didnt he fill it up"? I looked around for a reason for it not to run right and then saw the oil cap on top of the motor (under the cowling on top of the motor). It was resing on a part that rotates, so the rotation chewed up the cap and spit plastic debris everywhere, including inside the oil fill hole. The dealer offered to rechange the oil, but I am concerned about motor life, with the possibility of debris blocking an oiling passage or even debris getting inside a cylender. What are your thoughts? This motor sells for around $20k brand new.
I watched a youtube on an oil/filter change on that engine.
From what you're describing it sounds like they left the oil fill cap on top of the flywheel where it got chewed up and spewed plastic bits all over, including into the oil fill tube.
My 1st thought is that I'd be angry. My 2nd thought is that I would never allow that dealer to touch my engine again.
That wasn't done by a trained marine mechanic. That was done by some shop helper and you're paying top dollar for a trained marine mechanic to service your $20,000 engine. (or at least to have a trained mechanic supervising any work done by a trainee).
I'd want to know who signed off on this job? What else did they screw up?
That oil drain plug has a couple of O rings on it. Did they actually remove the plug completely after the oil was drained and inspect those O rings or did they just loosen the plug to drain the oil and (hopefully at least) just tighten it back up?
Did they tighten the oil filter?
When such a rookie mistake is made you have to question everything associated with the job.
I think you should find out who the Regional representative is for Mercury and contact him directly. Also, contact Mercury.
Don't leave the final word on what's going to be done about this to the dealer who screwed it up.
Like you said, it's a $20,000 engine and they'll give you plenty of reassurances. That's easy when they're gambling with YOUR $20,000 and not THEIR $20,000.
The dealer made a possibly very expensive mistake. The plastic particles can absolutely clog the oil passages and destroy the engine. You could try a power flush to hopefully get the debris out of the oil and hope nothing was damaged.
