My new 60 hp EFI four stroke Mercury Outboard engine failed after only 370 hours. This engine never performed well and the Mercury Marine refused to honor any warranty issues stalling me until the three year warranty period expired. The first dealership that repaired it (Tongass Marine) failed to do adequate annual maintenance when I brought in the engine and failed to install a voltage regulator kit. After total frustration with Mercury Marine warranty, I finally paid nearly $2000 to Hammer's Marine (their successor—as Tongass's owner is now in prison) to completely fix the engine when the muffler fell off on the first day of our fishing derby.
After the repairs, which were over three times the estimate, the engine lasted only one more hour blowing up the power head. When I sent the engine to Seattle to have the dealer who sold it to me give me a report, they found only one quart of oil, used gaskets, window silicone, lose bolts, hammer marks.
Insult is added to injury when I took Hammer's Marine to small claims court when the 'not so silent' partner perjured himself by insinuating to the judge that I insisted that shoddy repairs be made so I could get back in the derby. He also showed a nicked up propeller stating that I was a reckless driver. The owner, Tim Hammer didn't take the stand to defend himself. His mechanic (billed out at $75/hour) was not a Mercury trained mechanic when he made the repairs.
Boycott Mercury Outboards and this business—most people I meet in Alaska own Yahamas or take their Mercury engines to Wrangell for repairs. I now own a Yahama and love it.
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