Outboard warranty, have you ever actually claimed?

N

northwind

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 May 2010
Messages
1,191
Location
Me -Storrington / boat Chichester
Visit site
I have just purchased a new 3.5hp engine, and the dealer was obviously keen I understood that I have to get it serviced to maintain the warranty, I have no intention in doing so, as after 7 years it will have cost me much more than the original purchase price.

So my question is has anyone ever actually made a claim under warranty for a little engine and what was the claim for? And was it honoured?
 
We bought a new Mercury 3.5 ob in the Spanish Rias. 18 months later the gear shift became very stiff. The dealer in Cartagena striped the leg and sorted the problem under warranty. Mercury allow(ed) diy servicing.
 
Obviously, there are problems that the warentee won't cover. For example, if the impeller shreds (likely within 7 years) and clogs the power head, leading to overheating and seizing, that's on you. Change the oil, of course. Lower unit too.
 
I agree with the OP's summary of small outboard economics. My Yamaha 2.5hp 4 stroke is now 18 years old. Has sat on the rail for most of that time. I have given it the occasional oil change and cleaned off any corrosion followed by a quick spray of matching Yamaha paint. It is still on it's original impellor. Failure to flush the carb out properly has meant I had to fit a carb service kit once, but that's it. If you can strip a carb and change the oil now and then, why on earth would you pay to have it serviced? Original cost was about £400 new, with a service cost of about £150. So, don't pay to service them, just perform basic maintenance yourself, and put the service money in a pot and buy a new one every 6-7 years!
Apart from the clogged carb incident, and a throttle cable change, it has been a reliable runner.
 
If in the UK, warranties are almost irrelevant. Sale of Goods acts basically put the onus on the seller, not the manufacturer, and the important criterion is that the goods must be "of merchantable quality". Exactly what that means will depend on many factors, but (say) corrosion on an engine meant for use in salt water occurring within any reasonable warranty period would not fall within the "merchantable quality" thing. Of course, the original seller may then seek recompense from the manufacturer, but that's the seller's problem, not yours.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
If in the UK, warranties are almost irrelevant.
Click to expand...

That is not true. Manufacturers warranties often provide cover for far more in terms of what is covered or for longer periods. The Consumer Rights Act is the default position and after 6 months it is up to you to prove the fault was there when you bought the product. On the other hand some warranties cover specific items for anything up to 10 years - 3,5,7 year limited warranties are very common. There are different type of warranties as well and for example insurance backed limited warranties often cover items that it would be difficult to recover under CRA.

If you have ever tried to recover under CRA you will appreciate the benefits of being able to claim under a manufacturers warranty. The CRA value is more as a tool to use to force retailers to act according to the law.
 
Imho part of the servicing is just undoing all the relevant bolts periodically .
So if you undo them from day one and grease them or use an anti seize alloy/stainless goop, then WHEN you do wish to strip some part down in say 10 or 15 years time , you will be able to ( without the pain of seized snapped rounded bolts)??
 
Blueboatman said:
Imho part of the servicing is just undoing all the relevant bolts periodically .
So if you undo them from day one and grease them or use an anti seize alloy/stainless goop, then WHEN you do wish to strip some part down in say 10 or 15 years time , you will be able to ( without the pain of seized snapped rounded bolts)??
Click to expand...

It might depend on the OB but if you buy many outboards they have aluminium castings (to make them sensibly portable) and are held together with stainless nuts and bolts (with out any evidence that the stainless components are isolated from the aluminium castings).. If yo read the instructions there is no mention of the owner taking the device apart and on re-assembly coating the two dissimilar metals with a product that will isolate the 2 dissimilar metals.

Sale of Goods Act - fit for purpose - its a sick joke.

Outboards are not unique - just look at windlass.

Jonathan
 
northwind said:
I have just purchased a new 3.5hp engine, and the dealer was obviously keen I understood that I have to get it serviced to maintain the warranty, I have no intention in doing so, as after 7 years it will have cost me much more than the original purchase price.

So my question is has anyone ever actually made a claim under warranty for a little engine and what was the claim for? And was it honoured?
Click to expand...
You can keep your warranty valid without going to a dealer for service....as long as you prove you used OEM parts and consumables...last I was aware, at least...In fact, Mercury now actively encourage it.
 
Fimacca said:
DIY it !
I have a 2020 3.5 tohat. Maintain it myself as my last Yam was 20 years old before any trouble........
Click to expand...
Yes I intend to, the question was related to what claims people have had to make on warranty, the conclusion so far is little things like paint failure or seals. This backs up my theory that the reliability is very high (which was my belief) and therefore the cost of the servicing to keep the warranty doesn't equate on small engines.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top