30hrs on 255 Open 200hp - engine drops a valve...

[TimBroom]

During a week with a bunch of friends, going out on the new 255 Open each day, we were running about 30-35mph, I feel a sudden slow down, but water is smooth and clear I know I didn't hit anything, I see the port motor rpm's about 2500 less than starboard, I move the throttle back and forth thinking maybe grass was in the intake and it just got slower and slower than the engine just stopped. And wouldn't start again.
About 8 miles from home I limped home on one engine about 8mph which is all she was able go with 5 people on the boat without cavitating...
Dealer picked up the boat and told me today that the engine dropped a valve and they were submitting a warranty claim with BRP.
any thoughts or suggestions? anyone experience anything like this? any idea the time the boat will be down?

I am 100% satisfied with the boat, everything has been great, and I have to believe this is just a bit of bad luck... right?
-Tim

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• TimBroom
• Jul 27, 2018
• 1

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• TimBroom
• Jul 27, 2018
• 1

 

[2kwik4u]

Man I sure hope that's just bad luck. Keep us posted on what happens.

Are those a new design motor in the new design boat, or just a transplant from another model into the new layout? I'm not super familiar with the Scarab lineup.

 

[TimBroom]

As far as I am told this is the same 200hp motor they have been using for a while...

 

[mferrari]

Same motor as 3/4 of a million other 1503s on the water. I would chalk this one up to bad luck, the motors are normally a built proof design.

 

[robert843]

Yeah that sounds like a bad luck break they are usually good motors. Man those things are just sharp looking a bet people comment about it at the ramp or dock all the time.

 

[ScarabMike]

These engines are bullet proof. Its just a fluke. Once they fix it, you'll be ok. The issues on these boats in the past have been manufacturing defects, or service work issues.

 

[Jgorm]

I would think you would have noticed the crunching and carnage of a dropped valve.

 

[TimBroom]

No doubt there were sounds that weren't normal when trying to turn over the motor that I didn't mention... I just never thought it would have been this.

 

[Rick215HO]

If that is the case that you had an actual valve train failure I would place that one under "really bad luck" - I have over 400 hours now of Scarab Rotax engine boat ownership and the one thing I can say I don't have to worry about are those engines (knock on wood ). The boat may fall apart , but those engines will keep running until the end... Let us know what they find if they open the motor...

 

[swatski]

Wow. Very surprising. Do you trust your dealer to give you honest information? Are they swapping the engine or fixing/rebuilding?

--

 

[TimBroom]

I believe my dealer has always treated me fair, actually better than fair in all of my dealings with them, including the first service. They have been responsive and forthcoming as they discover information, and at last contact at the end of last week let me know they were submitting a warranty claim to replace with a new engine. I hope to hear something back by tomorrow or Wednesday with a plan and timeline. But this sounds like a rare occasion that this would happen, I do not know if they would quickly replace or choose to investigate and delay... I am hoping to have the boat back and running in a couple weeks at the longest... I feel that we are getting toward the end of summer and want to be on the water soon...
-Tim

 

[JetTech72]

Dropped a valve? That's definitely not common failure for those engine. Are you sure he didn'tt mean breaking a rocker arm?
Dropping a valve would most probably be catastrophic.
Is your dealer a Powersport dealer meaning do they carry other BRP products?

 

[TimBroom]

Yes, my dealer is Sky Powersports in Port Richey, FL.
They messaged me Friday that the warranty request was approved and BRP is shipping a new engine.
no timetable yet, hoping to get that this week.

 

[Anthony909]

I feel for you. It does feel like the summer is on the back end. I have a solution for you though that would get you back on the water by next week. Trade that sweet 255 Open with me for my 195. Don’t get me wrong, I love my 195 but I’m willing to sacrifice it for you to get more water time.

 

[TimBroom]

Great news, my dealer called today and the new engine is not already delivered it is installed, all within a week. They did a water test today and delivering it tomorrow!
Thanks to SkyPowerSports in Port Richey FL... First Class Service!
-Tim

(I will update this weekend on performance and quality)

 

[subysti]

Wow. That's got be the fastest turn around on an engine swap by a dealer on any boat on any brand since man started floating on water.

 

[2kwik4u]

That is some quick turn around. I can't get an oil change in a week, much less an engine swap.

Wonder if Scarab Corporate had something to do with pushing the schedule considering the profile of the new model?!?!

 

[Elio195HOI]

Great News! I couldn't get a switched replaced that fast a few years ago..... Good Luck!

 

[TimBroom]

Josh in service at Sky Powersports said that Scarab and Bombardier jumped on it as a priority and drop shipped the new motor to them quickly.
I really was not demanding or upset, since it seemed from this group that it was a fluke and so rarely happens, sometimes it just happens, so I wasn't being a pest to get them to respond faster or anything like that. The dealer and mfg just did the right thing, because it was the right thing to do and I am very grateful and an even bigger fan of them all! I will shout their praise and hope that you will too...
Although, I did see the new 300hp motors now are available on the 255's, and I did ask for a quote for trade in/upgrade... we'll see what it looks like...
-Tim

 

[TimBroom]

Got the call for the upgrade to twin 300hp, exact specs as the current boat that I got a few months ago, trade difference... $37k

My boat is doing just fine...I'll stick with it

-Tim