Loose engine mounts.

[tsatrooper]

I have a 14 g25 ce with the 450 engine package. I bought the boat back in last spring with only 52 hours on it and it know has a little over a 100. I noticed early on that it was taking on more water then I thought was acceptable throughout the summer but figured I would mess with it this winter. Well as i'm winterizing this weekend I notice that not one, but all 4 engine mounts for the engine itself where loose. I'm talking loose to the point that the engine had fallen down approx 1-2 inches. The prop shaft is no where near centered into the bottom of the boat so I'm sure that's where the water is coming in. So my question is has this been seen before? I called the dealer that the original owner purchased the boat from and they stated that there hasn't been any major repairs done to the boat. Only minor things. I'm also going to get into contact with nautique and get their opinion and see if there is anyway they will help out. It appears that they where left loose when the boat was assembled and wasn't checked/noticed when the 50hr service was performed. Also, what kind of seal is used for the prop shaft? packing,drip? I'm perfectly capable of doing the repair but with only a 100hrs this isn't something that should have happened. What are your guys thoughts??

[wakerider107]

How the heck did you drive the boat and not notice vibration? I don't get how the boat would even run if the engine had fallen 1-2" down? This doesn't make sense.

[tsatrooper]

It had a very slight vibration at certain rpms but I chalked it up to a small ding in the prop that is getting fixed this off season. I'm with you. I don't understand why it didn't show more signs other than water leaking in.

[Tallredrider]

You could still align the engine with the prop shaft just fine, it is just the prop shaft isn't now aligned with the prop shaft seal. As illustrated, the shaft and seal don't have to be very close to aligned to one another to work. That is why his prop shaft is not centered through the prop shaft seal.

When you take it in for service, which you should do soon, then they should align everything properly and fix it. I think you have an argument that this is a mfg defect, even though alignment issues are generally a wear and tear item and not covered.

It would surprise me if you don't need a new prop shaft seal. These use a water cooled prop shaft seal. Nautique parts could easily get you the part number if you wanted to tackle this yourself. I personally don't do my own engine alignment, but it doesn't look real complicated unless your engine is just not mounted properly like you describe.

[tsatrooper]

I agree with you Tall. That's the direction I was headed with the seal. It's def getting replaced. I did call the dealer it was bought at and my local dealer and neither had heard of this being a issue. I'll repair it myself that way I know they are tight! I was just curious if anyone else out in the real world had seen this issue.

[tsatrooper]

I'll post a few once I get back in the boat. Hopefully get some work done on it this weekend.

[tsatrooper]

Here are some pics. I haven't touched the mounts.

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[scottb7]

Yep, honestly, I wanted to be sure you weren't crazy...But taking you at your word that you did not tinker with it, this is another example of the crap quality control at the factory. Everyone should check all 4 of their motor mounts to be sure the nut is snug against the lock washer.

Thanks for posting the pictures! It is a good example of what they should NOT look like.

Maybe we got to pay more to get engines that are properly aligned and secured.

[tsatrooper]

There is still a possibility that there was a repair done that no one is claiming. That's the million dollar question!!! It only had 52 hours on it when we bought it. I bought it site unseen. I mean, what issues could a 50hr boat have.....

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[AdamJBarn]

So did the top nut just not get tightened? Have any of you ever done an alignment before? It’s not exactly easy to adjust the bolts up and down. I do see that the shaft is not centered in the thru hull. There should also be a dripless packing that it goes through. How can you possibly blame the factory when the boat is 3 years old???? You should be holding the dealer that you bought it from accountable.


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[scottb7]

Huh...the dealer does not align these, do they? the factory aligns...what does 3 years old have to do with it...you don't have to re-align...clearly the blame is on the factory...

Does anyone disagree?

[Infinity]

If dealer and Nautique can confirm that no major work has been done on the boat.... then you would think no one would have any reason to touch those nuts and it came that way from factory and it should be on them. That said, that is hard to overlook and any work at all done at dealer (even oil change...or the 50hr service OP mentioned), someone should have noticed those loose nuts and its crazy the boat did not have a lot of vibration and/or other issues. In one pic, you can clearly see either the oil filter and oil drain hose both within inches of one motor mount. Mind blown!

[Sailfun]

Huh...the dealer does not align these, do they? the factory aligns...what does 3 years old have to do with it...you don't have to re-align...clearly the blame is on the factory...

Does anyone disagree?

Engine mount bolts should be checked annually. I would blame the dealer who was maintaining the boat. He missed it at least twice. I also believe engine alignment is a required check at the first oil change.

[Tallredrider]

Engine mount bolts should be checked annually. I would blame the dealer who was maintaining the boat. He missed it at least twice. I also believe engine alignment is a required check at the first oil change.

Absolutely. It is part of the first oil change, so if it came out of the factory that way, the dealership missed it too. I am going to bet that boat had something major done that required the engine to be lifted and fiberglass underneath to be repaired. Then when the engine was put back, they missed it.

scottb7, I appreciate the voice of reason when Nautique fanboys get over the top, but lately it seems you've gone off the rails. These boats aren't perfect, but none are. This week I got on an Ri237 Centurion. Let's just say I couldn't wait to get back to my G23.

[scottb7]

We'll I guess your right, manual says every hundred hours or once a year. So I guess that is in theory correct...But what does that mean "dealer that is maintaining the boat." I bet no dealer checks that stuff.

But super good point. Thanks.