7 replies to this topic

[tiggerman]

I've noticed a rise in the posts on other forums about the dreaded HydroSurge grates. This has been a heated issue on those forums, and a subject not brought up too often here. With my 97, I haven't had any worries about the grates since I don't have a Merc, but with the prospect of purchasing Kevin's 2000 Speedster, the "defective" grate could affect me. What I would like, is an opinion from a dealer, posted here. How about it keviseeb? Manasota? What have you guys seen? Have you replaced broken grates? As a dealer, what do you think Mercury should do? This is another case of always seeing the other side of the story...
For those this has happened to, be sure to go here:
http://www.uscgboati...lls/defects.htm
and report this issue. You'll be glad you did.

[keviseeb]

Since 2000 when we started a customer complaint database for "repeat offenders" we have had 2 reported failures of the hydrosurge standard grate. Both were due to impact damage, neither required any work to the pump. We have had a few customers replace the standard grate with the "rock grate" which has more blades on the grille therefore can resist more abuse. If there is a loss of engine performance it hasn't been an issue. I checked the USCG recall database and there have been no recalls on the Mercury M2 jet drive assembly. I wish I could be more helpful but the fact is that when we sell a Mercury Marine powered boat we very rarely ever see the boat except for normal annual maintenance.

PS I realize there were recalls for the Challenger, Islandia, and Utopia models for Mercury involving the throttle module, exhaust hoses, air intake hoses, and drain tubes. None of these involved the M2 drive and were done without incident or any consequences that I am aware of to date.

[tiggerman]

Thanks, be prepared for more posts from others.
Do you classify impact damage as an obvious mark on the tine or grate, or how? It is obvious that if the tine made it to the impeller and stopped, there would be marks on it. Is there damage or marks around the intake grate where you would draw the conclusion that the owner simply hit something? Seems to me that you could claim (not pointing any fingers) impact damage on any incident regarding the grate, if it broke.
With the seeming multitude of claims I have read about this issue, your 2 cases are only a drop in the bucket. I have no horse in this race, I'm merely trying to get the facts from both sides. It would be interesting to hear from a Mercury representative (corporate) on this issue as well, Then we would have at least 3 sides to the story......Thanks again for your input!

[tda3]

Hey tiggerman -

Can you give me the Cliff Notes version of what this hydrosurge grate failure thing is all about?

I'm a lazy bastard and don't feel like researching it.

Tom

[tiggerman]

Hey tiggerman -

Can you give me the Cliff Notes version of what this hydrosurge grate failure thing is all about?

I'm a lazy bastard and don't feel like researching it.

Tom

Beginning in 2000, it is said that there was a casting flaw in some Hydrosurge grates on the Merc 240 EFI. Lotsa talk about it elsewhere- seems no one admits fault to broken tines (not even Mercury). The tines could severely damage the pump unit, leaving a boater stranded. If you did a Google search, you come up with several hits on a couple other websites. Some units have had no problems at all. There is no official recall as keviseeb has mentioned. I have no idea if there are any service bulletins out by Mercury. I am by no means an expert on anything Mercury, I only know what I have read. It would be nice to know exactly how many people have filed complaints with Mercury or the USCG on this issue....
There ya go, ya lazy bastard........

[roccov12345]

New to the forums here but I had this happen to my 2002 Speedster 240 efi. Sucked up the grate, ruined everything. Shaft, impellers, pump, the tunnel, 2600 dollars worth of repairs. I'm lucky I bought this boat off of a friend at the dealership or I would have had some empty pockets. If you'd like more info. PM Me.

[Doooer]

Since 2000 when we started a customer complaint database for "repeat offenders" we have had 2 reported failures of the hydrosurge standard grate. Both were due to impact damage, neither required any work to the pump. We have had a few customers replace the standard grate with the "rock grate" which has more blades on the grille therefore can resist more abuse. If there is a loss of engine performance it hasn't been an issue. I checked the USCG recall database and there have been no recalls on the Mercury M2 jet drive assembly. I wish I could be more helpful but the fact is that when we sell a Mercury Marine powered boat we very rarely ever see the boat except for normal annual maintenance.

PS I realize there were recalls for the Challenger, Islandia, and Utopia models for Mercury involving the throttle module, exhaust hoses, air intake hoses, and drain tubes. None of these involved the M2 drive and were done without incident or any consequences that I am aware of to date.

Well I'm one of the lucky ones who have had a tine break on my hydrosurge. I say lucky, because other than a broken tine, there was no damage, so I assume it just fell off as opposed to being sucked in and doing major damage. What the hell is "impact damage"? I boat in a deep lake and I have my boat stored in a boathouse with a marine rail. I have never grounded my boat nor been in water less than 3 feet deep. How did this happen if not a manufacturing defect?

Anyone who is interested in finding out about these issues doesn't have to do much research on jetboating.net. Simply key in "hydrosurge" and you'll have lots to read about. The issues seemed to effect year 2000 to 2002 Seadoos, but some Sugar Sands guys had earlier failures as well.

[cAn'T sWim]

Ahhhh...you would think that if something was hit ( in any form) it would seem a bit "fishy" if the impact was made ONLY to the grate.

Once...maybe... twice...possible.. but if the grate was the ONLY thing to have visible/potential impact damage. Then I would have to say..."HOGWASH!"