No Oil Pressure(?)

[groberts4]

Update: My Cobalt's been in the shop since February 15th, so over a month. They've eliminated simple fixes like the sender, the oil pump, or other things. Their current analysis says it's a bearing that's preventing the pump from pumping. So the engine has to go out to a marine engine rebuilder to be taken apart and see how much damage this shot bearing has caused, and repair, rebuild, or replace all parts affected. No estimate on cost or timing, just "this will take some time and it's a major job". This engine was rebuilt by Jasper Marine just three years ago, probably hasn't got more than 20-30 hours on it.

[billk2632]

Hate to hear, was hoping it would be an easier fix. Will Jasper help?

[groberts4]

Update: after one month in the shop I finally heard from the service manager that they had exhausted all options, and realized they needed a special tool to test the pump system (suspect somewhere in the drive system for the pump). They then came back and said probably a bearing, will need to send out to machine shop, hope engine is not ruined. The next day (today) I got a call saying they'd called all around, no one could even look at it for at least a month, so you have to replace the entire engine. $13,000 estimate P&L. I approved it because I've been 33 days without a boat during the most beautiful weather of the year and I have gone insane. Also, I have no choice.
PS: The engine that failed was a recently rebuilt engine from Jasper Marine ($14,000 P&L). It was installed in March 2021 following our hard freeze, so it was right at three years old and had maybe 25 hours on it. Jasper's warranty is two years. So now I'll have another rebuilt Jasper engine. However, this time I will drive it til I run out of gas money. If this new engine's as weak as the last one, at least it's going to fail during the warranty period.

[billk2632]

I would run the pi$$ out of it as it sounds like the failure in the other engine was likely a rebuild issue, just didn't show up in the warranty. Maybe you already have, but I would talk to Jasper about some consideration -- you are buying your second engine from them in what 3yrs? Maybe at least give you something for the old one - which they would likely fix and sell again.
I think you said insurance covered the first one - freeze damage - any help there with this one?
Honestly it would hurt me to dump that kind of $$ in an engine -- but if I had your boat with an 8.1 I probably would do it. they are not making those things anymore! Sure a new Cobalt you can get a 430hp 6.2, but it's not a big block like yours.

Hopefully a few nice days on the water will leave the sting of this your wake!

[groberts4]

Appreciate the comments, billk. So here's an update for you: I got the boat back with the new (rebuilt) Jasper Marine engine and it ran great - for about 5 hours. After carefully observing the break-in time and then running it around the lake at varying speeds I got a vicious knocking sound - about 5 hours into this new (rebuilt) motor. I called the shop and let them listen to the sound over my phone and they said bring it in right now. A week later they notified me: engine blown, sending off to Jasper, new one will be here in 3 weeks. So now I wait patiently for another Jasper Marine rebuilt engine to put into my Cobalt. And cross my fingers that third time's a charm.
This kind of information deserves a significant post of its own but I think I'll wait till I get my boat back

[AsLan7]

.
Way to stay patient Gs4. As we say these are 1st world problems. Frustrating though. Keep us posted.

[jhnmdahl]

That's terrible luck. I've heard good things about Jasper engines, but your string of bad luck makes me wonder how good their quality control really is, or if the installer's not doing the best job getting things set up right.

[jhnmdahl]

Update: after one month in the shop I finally heard from the service manager that they had exhausted all options, and realized they needed a special tool to test the pump system (suspect somewhere in the drive system for the pump). They then came back and said probably a bearing, will need to send out to machine shop, hope engine is not ruined. The next day (today) I got a call saying they'd called all around, no one could even look at it for at least a month, so you have to replace the entire engine. $13,000 estimate P&L. I approved it because I've been 33 days without a boat during the most beautiful weather of the year and I have gone insane. Also, I have no choice.
PS: The engine that failed was a recently rebuilt engine from Jasper Marine ($14,000 P&L). It was installed in March 2021 following our hard freeze, so it was right at three years old and had maybe 25 hours on it. Jasper's warranty is two years. So now I'll have another rebuilt Jasper engine. However, this time I will drive it til I run out of gas money. If this new engine's as weak as the last one, at least it's going to fail during the warranty period.

I agree that Jasper should be looking at cutting you a break on the new engine, but I think I would expect the installer/reseller to be automatically advocating on your behalf with Jasper given the low hours on the last engine. Please keep us posted on how this resolves.