Pretty sure i killed my engine ...

[jhryder]

Hey,
Took boat on first vac last week. Got 3 good days out of it. Then needed to fill tank and figured i would add a gallon of the oil to the resivore to top it off. Left the dock and was 15 to 20 minutes out and engine locked up. Pulled engine cover, opened top resivore and it was empty, then saw i had left the main resivore cap unscrewed back in place after adding oil. Am assuming that one mistake killed the engine. Will add pictures later of the pieces of the enginge block i found sitting next to the engine, 8 or 9 approx.

It has/had the M2 Merc 240 EFI 2001 - 2002. I am thinking the option will be to buy a complete motor (Powerhead) to replace it. From the documentation i have it looks to be not a lot to remove the old one and drop a new one i place. Would like to know if this is correct.

Would also like to know if i should replace it with the newer 240 EFI or even the 250 Optimax. Would either of them be a straight replacement for the one i have or should i stick with exact same model?

Appreciate any advice or suggestions.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yep... that's a lethal mistake. There's a big sticker on the cap, and there should be an alarm. That's one reason I tell people buying older boats, to check BOTH buzzers. But I'm sorry to hear about the loss.


To start with your last question... No... the 250 Opti is not a drop in. It's a 3.0L engine, and the 240 (and smaller) is a 2.5L. With that said... if you replace all of it... then it can work. The larger M2 pump will bolt into your hull, and you may only have to trim a little fiberglass. (but the 250 won't bolt to your pump)


It's not to bad swapping these engines... but it will take a few hours to move all of the electronics from your engine, to the new engine. I would plan a weekend with "Light" work. Yes, you need a shop crane, but most of the work is in the bilge, or on the garage floor.

 

[jhryder]

Thanks for the comments, have a few more questions about this;

As to the 250 Optimax, that is out, want to keep this as plug/play as possible. Asked about the 250 Optimax, not because of a few more HP. Was considering adding the SMARTCRAFT? monitor, but got the impression on my current engine it would only give partial info. Thought maybe the SC was fully implemented on the OPTIMAX. To be honest, am not even clear what the difference is between the OPTIMAX and the M2 EFI i have, (or had...).

Think i might have seen mention of a 240 Optimax, would that be possible?

I get the impression my engine is a version 1 so to speak, 2000 - 2001. I see also listed it as 240EFI M2 2002 - 2006?. If that is correct would there be any problem at least replacing mine with the later version of same engine.

Lastly, you mention moving the electronics from old one to new one. I was hoping if i bought a complete engine all that would already be on the new engine, (or remanufactrued). My concern isn't the time or extra work to do this, but if i have to does that limit me to only using exact same 2000 - 2001 version? Was hoping if i did put the newer 2002 - 2006 model in place it might have newer electronics and if later i added the SC monitor it might have full function.

I do appreciate any and all guidance in trying to decide how best to proceed.

(as to the shop crane, have access to that where my son works, so past hurdle one anyway)

 

[henryb]

The difference between the original EFI engine and the newer version is that the old EFI was more simple, they basically replaced carburetors with Fuel Injectors. The newer version of the EFI is just a bit smarter, more sensors and computers (the Dr will probably give you a more detailed explanation). And the OptiMax is completely different in that is has separate injectors for oil and gas (direct injection).

 

[Dr Honda]

There was a 200 and a 250 Opti made for the Sportjet. The 200 will bolt up to your pump.


If you buy a remanufactured engine... even directly from Mercury... it is just the engine. So all your stuff has to be swapped over. If you buy a "NEW" engine from Merc... it will have everything, but it's VERY expensive, and as far as I know, the only new engines they have are the 200 opti.


The difference from the "EFI" to the "Optimax" engines is... the efi system is a conventional fuel injection system, where the fuel is sprayed into the manifold, just behind the throttle body. An Optimax engine is a direct injection system. (directly into the combustion chamber) It's very efficient, but it's more complex.


Yes... there is a "Gen 1" and a "Gen 2" 240 EFI engine. The break was 2001-1/2. With Seadoo, we saw the switch over around 2003 model year. (so mid to late 2002 production) The engines were basically the same... but ALL of the electronics were different. It has a different electrical system... a different EFI system... a different alternator... and most importantly, a different oil injection system. (more robust) As far as the smart craft... yes, the newer 240 is totally compliant, where the early engine only gives basic info.

Hope that helps.

 

[jhryder]

Thanks for the further info. So it sounds like i pretty much have to buy the exact same engine i have unless i want to buy all the electronics/oil-system you mentioned to put on the Rev 2 model you mentioned. Am assuming that would be cost prohibitive. The engine that i am replacing ran just fine, at least from my perspective, (wished there was a lockout on the oil cap and we wouldn't be having this conversation). I am a techie type so am letting the SMARTCRAFT monitor cloud the issue.

 

[jhryder]

Was wondering if anyone knew about these guys and would recommend or not. I may not be understanding but it sounds like i would be buying a complete motor ready to drop in??

210/240
http://www.blackbirdmotors.com/#!product/prd1/1689202685/mercury-sportjet-210-240-hp-powerhead

The one thing i am confused on here, is it a 210 or a 240 ?

And then they also list this one, a 2005 210/240 Optimax, is that actually possible?
http://www.blackbirdmotors.com/#!pr...ry-2005-optimax-sport-jet210-240-bolt-in-unit

 

[Dr Honda]

That shop use to be "One Outboard". They have such a bad rap, that they had to change names. I wouldn't buy anything from them.

Also... What they are offering is a rebuild on your engine, not a new engine. SO... you can't just buy the opti. Not to mention... there wasn't a 240 opti.

 

[jhryder]

Again, thanks. That is one of the things i might find out in this process is which suppliers may be good or bad as such.

Any thoughts on this one i saw on ebay;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCURY-OUT...m25c137bc66:m:mfX-BtMU1MeNFA91itpiP1Q&vxp=mtr

At Outboard Rebuild when we use the word ReMANUFACTURED you can be 100% sure that all cylinders have been machined by only the best machines that are available. Rotler F3 boring center that is designed to do blind hole engines, Diamond computer assisted hone, all critical surfaces machined back to uniform for proper gasket sealing. We install NEW parts, pistons, Piston rings, wrist pin's, Oil gear, thermostats, bearings, crank seals, the list goes on and on.. We feel you should get what you pay for " A powerhead that last YEARS not months or even weeks”

YOU ARE BIDDING ON A REMANUFACTURED complete running bolt in MERCURY V6 SPORT JET 240 efi. This is one of our most popular rebuilding options and now we are selling it on Ebay.

HOW DOES IT WORK ??

Pull your sportjet complete engine, leave all the ignition and fuel system components on the motor. do not take any parts off the powerhead that way when engine comes back all you do is bolt it back in. HOW TO SHIP > after you get engine out simply secure the powerhead to a shipping pallet with ratchet straps. If you do not feel comfortable securing to pallet we can supply and ship you a container to put the motor in. Call our Toll Free number and we will email or fax you shipping invoice. then arrange a truck with lift gate to come pick up your motor, THAT IS IT !! Your sport jet will come back "pre run" and ready to bolt back in your boat. We will include the base gasket and break in instructions along with warranty information.

If you are within driving distance to our Western PA location we can do this entire job "WILE YOU WAIT" in by 9 out by 5 SAME DAY. Done and boating all in one day !!

 

[Dr Honda]

Same shop.

 

[jhryder]

OK, so maybe going at this from wrong direction. Do you have any recommendations at to where i can pursue getting my engine replaced?

thanks

 

[Dr Honda]

I would look local to you. But let me dig up a couple shops for you to contact. (they are on an older computer)

 

[jhryder]

Thanks, appreciate it.

 

[Bryandome]

Hey everyone, just reading this thread. I have the same issue which I have spoken with Dr. Honda about replacing my engine. I had the 240 efi in a 2001 Seadoo Challenger 2000. I was thinking about switching it out with a optimax 200 because of better fuel efficiency more available parts due to it being a newer engine, and the loss of horsepower won't matter to me because I can't go any faster than 40mph on my lake anyways. But jhryder brought up a good point which I didn't think of. If I switched to the optimax motor then I'm assuming I will have to get all new computer stuff and mechanical stuff. Sorry for the dumb language, I'm not mechanically inclined at all. I was hoping to get the optimax engine and bolt it directly on to the jet pump and hook up the existing computer to it. But not sure now.

 

[Dr Honda]

If you swap to an Opti engine... you will need to buy the ENTIRE engine. Since these are basically outboard engines... the computer an whatnot is bolted to it. If you get a complete engine... then it will bolt down, and the umbilical cord will plug in. (more or less)

BUT... you can't just buy a stripped power head, and swap your parts on to it.

 

[gioakjoe]

http://www.obparts.com/mercury-mari...240-hp-v6-2-5l-sport-jet-powerhead-2000-2001/

http://www.obparts.com/mercury-mari...240-hp-v6-2-5l-sport-jet-powerhead-2002-2006/


got my remanufactured engine from these guys 200h later still running amazing!!!