Spring break vacation, my dad and I drop the boat off to motor downriver to our cabin. Halfway there motor chokes out and quits, starts to rattle, so I get a tow in......check the motor, metal shavings all over and there's a hole in the cast iron casing. Motor is a 225 optimax, 2004, only has about 400 hours. At this point were looking at replacement or rebuild. Any of y'all have suggestions for who can do a rebuild or what dealer to use if repowering is the way to go? Got a quote for roughly 7k, should it be more, less, or is that about average?
Thx.

Rockwall marine can do both rebuild and repower.

Looking at 3500.00 just for the rebuilt exchange power head. Then you need injectors, reeds, fuel pump and fuel control diaphragms and cooling system components. Labor to change. Equals 6 to 7 grand total.

That is only if it is done correctly.

We have a couple of them already rebuilt or could rebuild the one you have. You can reach me at Charlies Outboard Repair 817-783-2822 Keith

Man, that's crazy. I have the same motor on my Nitro and have had the same thing happen TWICE. Thank God the second time was covered under warranty. Bass Pro did the work. As of last year, cost was $3,993.75 for a remanufactured power head from Mercury. I had them put on new fuel line and primer bulb also. Total was $6789.80 out the door. Misc. parts, labor, tax and an extended warranty included in that price.

Having blown up plenty of stuff in my younger years I would suggest you take it to some one that can diagnose what caused the problem. Injectors need to be flowed and the electronics needs to be checked out.

Swapping a power head to experiment is no way to go.

Ok thx guys. Sounds like the estimate was legit. Just out of curiosity how reliable are etecs? Otherwise, what used brands are the best choice, and what should we be weary of when buying a used motor?..it would suck to repower and have something go wrong.

have a good mechanic look at it and do a compression/leak down test, have hrs pulled if they can.
remember though just because an engine has a lot of hrs does not mean much if it was taken care of.

test run it if possible (still on a boat).

if I were looking at used it would be an etec or yammie first then merc.

I have a 96 johnson 175 I bought used from someone that I new took great care of his equipment and it runs like a striped monkey after a nanner.

did the same thing a few years ago on a vintage (1993) e'rude 200xp. biggest concern was with the crank. if the detonation sent parts into the crank it may have ruined it. ours was toast! i know how sickening a feeling that is when a motor cuts loose. hope you find a good replacement.

The only people you need to know

Rockwall Marine.. Tommy and the guys did my old Merc.. New power head only way to go

They did a great job at at a great price... You will have no worries after you leave there