175 XRI is near death

Super frustrated... Just got my Fury back from getting worked, ran about 10 miles on the Missouri River and noticed I didnt have the power I normally did we were struggling to maintain 55 mph and normally 65 is not a problem. So I backed off plane, idle was rough and acted like it wanted to die couldnt get on plane so I limped it back to the dock.. Took it in the next day and the exhaust manifold gasket was compromised allowing water in the bottom two cylinders. Besides that a piston is scored from what it looks like in the picture my mechanic sent me pretty bad.. And its NOT one of the lower pistons that got water in them. Called the only place that I trust thats certified Merc dealer (which unfortunately is in Missouri) to get a price on a brand new 2016 175 ProXs 5 yr warranty rigged out the door with new oil tank all new fuel lines and MercMonitor $13200 after the $1000 rebate. Just out of curiosity I called the local big dealer in Omaha and he quoted $14900 not rigged or tax! Thats why I drive to Missouri... headed to the bank in the morning I guess... Did I mention Im frustrated? http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/chick ... d.jpg.html][/URL[/url]]

This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 7 months ago by 94eyracat.

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September 23, 2015 at 11:49 am #342738

MeanV2
Participant

I feel your pain! No words can help that!Dan

September 23, 2015 at 12:15 pm #342755

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

It suxs but once you strap that new 175 opti on you will smile again. Cannot take the money with you and a boat makes ya happy.

September 23, 2015 at 12:23 pm #342775

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

It is very rebuildable for considerably less. Of course your still at risk without warranty in that case.

September 23, 2015 at 12:34 pm #342792

Bigmike
Participant

Man that sucks!!! Went thru that recently with our Sabre. Couldnt make a deal local either. Drove from Louisiana to Georgia to buy from Sports Center in Perry. Couldnt see having to pay that extra 3 grand. Jacos also makes a good deal but got a little back on trade on the old 150XRI from Sport Center. Quick turnaround too. Youre gonna love that PRO XS, itll crank at first touch & purr like a kitten. Easy on fuel too. GOOD LUCK

September 23, 2015 at 1:08 pm #342811

BIGCATTER
Participant

Bass Cat Boats wrote:It is very rebuildable for considerably less. Of course your still at risk without warranty in that case.Agreed , except for the ” no warranty” statement . — As an auto repair professional , Ive rebuilt many engines over the 40+ years , and I ALWAYS guarantee my work for 2 years . — As a general rule , if its going to fail , itll do it in the first 90 days anyway . — Im also a Pro Marine dealer and do some marine repair work for a few people , and have built several powerheads , quite successfully . — The gist of this post is , if you trust your marine mechanic , and hes as good as you believe he is , ask him about a rebuild and what his warranty would be . — The hardest part of rebuilding one of these things is finding a machine shop that KNOWS what theyre doing . — Explore all possibilities BEFORE plunking down 13 grand is all Im trying to say . — Mark

September 23, 2015 at 2:31 pm #342834

Jstew
Participant

Call Jay Smith racing engines in Texas. Hes the master of the 2.5L Merc. For significantly less than the cost of a new powerhead – hell build you a monster motor out of the XRi that will put out much better power and torque than original with better dependability. Warranty is great with a new opti, but on the “simpler” XRi motors – theres really very little to break. Those and the carbd motors are the 2.5s that built the bulletproof reputation. If he can build racing motors that live at 11K – he shouldnt have a problem with your fishing motor. He just built a 225 promax for a buddy of mine for less than 5K that is an absolute beast without changing porting or compression.

September 23, 2015 at 3:07 pm #342854

94eyracat
Participant

Im waiting to hear from my bank on what kind of payment it would be as well as interest rate, I have good credit but that doesnt help a guy out if he cant afford to take time off to fish if Im payment poor… Im just really frustrated I work a lot and hard for a handful of times a year I can take time off work to go fish, I keep getting slapped in face with repairs its almost getting to the point where I have thought about giving up on it all but then I remembered what will I do with my free time? If Im not fishing Im reading about it, thinking about it and dreaming it. Whats money for anyway, to spend right hahahah!

September 23, 2015 at 3:44 pm #342874

Jstew
Participant

Dont put a new motor on a 94 hull. Should you need / want out of the boat – youll be buried. It can be rebuilt for significantly less and be more dependable.

September 23, 2015 at 6:17 pm #342892

94eyracat
Participant

I hear ya but heres where Im at with things, I have replaced or repaired everything on my boat. Electronics, wiring, carpet, new hotfoot new cables spent all winter sanding buffing and polishing it… It truly looks almost new and fishes great. I have no plans on getting rid of this boat and from what research I have done if I did put a new motor on my boat it would be worth about what the motor cost me. Old school Eyras are hard to find and even harder to find one in good shape, I honestly think if I had to sell it I could probably get my money back on the cost of at least the engine and maybe a couple grand more, Im already way upside down in this thing so Im not even thinking about that anymore, Im thinking about knowing the four to six times a year I take a trip to fish that I will have a piece of mind knowing I can run from one end of the lake to the other without worrying about if I will make it back. My question to myself is that worth $300 a month for the next four years? I really like fishing and I love my old Eyra so Im just not sure yet. Thanks for the input from everyone, this is like the only place people really feel my pain, my friends all say I told you so you shouldnt have bought a boat but they also live at the bar and I live to fish they dont get it
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