08 MCX Exhaust -- how hot is too hot?

[fbroen]

My understanding is that there is now a formal recall out to get this issue addressed for certain serial numbers. So if you are smelling burnt rubber you may want to see if yours is covered.

Our boat had insufficient tolerances and exhaust elbows will be swapped out. I am very happy to get this issue taken care of and put to bed.

Oh, and ours is a late 07 build as well.

[jsnipes]

I'm picking mine up tomorrow after the repairs. They replaced both manifolds and at least one if not both hoses. Only one side was having the problem but they wanted to play it safe, although maybe the recall has them doing both regardless. I'll let you all know how it goes. Seems like a well understood problem and I expect no more issues.

The dealer said that they did a water flow check on the old and new manifolds and the difference is clearly obvious. Said he would show me the bad one.

Hats off to how Carolina Mastercraft has handled this issue that was not their fault. MC should have caught this with either a water flow test of the manifolds or worst case on the water test of the boat. Tssskk, Tssskk!

Jamie

[kev88]

I purchased my 08 X-2 in September 07 - was prob. built in late July/August. Anyone had problems with an early build 08?

[Engine Nut]

I purchased my 08 X-2 in September 07 - was prob. built in late July/August. Anyone had problems with an early build 08?

Let me clear the air on this issue. We issued a service bulletin to the MasterCraft dealers asking them to inspect the exhaust elbows on a group of 2008 model MasterCraft MCX engines starting with engine serial number 144278 and ending with serial number 146784. Some of the engines in this group may have been built with exhaust elbows that have restricted water passages that will not allow sufficient water flow to cool the exhaust hoses adequately. This is issue didn't show up at our end of line test at Indmar or at MasterCraft's lake test because the engines are not run long enough or under the right conditions to have the problem occur.

Inspection is simple. We have provided a measuring tool to the dealers to allow them to remove the exhaust hose and measure the gap between the inner and outer wall of the exhaust elbow. If the gap is too small, they are to replace the elbow. The whole process is pretty simple. If you have an engine in this group and already have some hours on it without experiencing a problem, your exhaust elbows are probably just fine. Most of the failures we have seen have occurred in the first 10 hours of operation.

Indmar is very sorry about this situation. We are dedicated to provide our our customers withthe best products possible. Unfortunately when you are on the leading edge of technology, unexpected problems occur.

Larry Engelbert
Director of Customer Service
Indmar Marine Engines

[c_craig]

Back out today with the new exhaust elbow. Absolutely no problems. Heard from the dealer that Indmar is handling this all the way. Thanks Larry.

[jsnipes]

Thanks for providing the information, Engine Nut! I think most of us know that problems can and do occur ... the key is communication. Updates like yours on this site and the service bulletin issuance go a long way toward maintaining consumer confidence through situations like this. I appreciate your willingness to bite the bullet.

On a related note, I picked my X2 up on Sat and spent several hours out with no problems after the "fix". Both exhaust elbows on my MCX were changed out. There was zero burnt rubber smell. So ... if you have an MCX and smell any hint of burnt rubber don't wait for the hole to form in your hose. Get it in to the dealer for the warranty repair!

I would like to note that I incorrectly have been saying "manifold" instead of exhaust elbow in my previous posts on this thread. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

I think this is a closed case for me. Great job Carolina Mastercraft on handling the issue very quickly and efficiently, even before the service bulletin was issued.

Jamie