Mercury outboard parts unavailable for months

[tfox2069]

I'm in the process of trying to sell a 2004 Mercury 4hp outboard (NO, this is NOT an ad to sell it!!). Back in October I brought it home to get it ready to show over the winter I realized the shaft seal was leaking oil. I dutifully took apart that section of the lower unit, and ordered the appropriate replacement parts online. Only a few parts needed to be replaced, including a bearing. I looked everywhere online and couldn't find the bearing in stock anywhere, even e-mailed a couple of Mercury authorized repair shops in MD, but no one had the part. The parts supplier I'm working with initially said Mercury promised a November ship date, but it's now January and they still have no idea when Mercury will make the part available. The 2004 parts are common with all the later models of Mercury 4hp outboards, so it's not a case of it being so old they don't still supply parts for it (maybe that's wishful thinking).

Has anyone else run into this issue with Mercury outboard parts? It's been 4 months since I originally ordered the part. Are there substitute parts for them (e.g. like the same motor being sold by another manufacturer)? Kinda tired of this thing sitting in my garage torn apart. Will really stink when snow finally arrives and my 4Runner is still out in the weather.

 

[Dave]

(NO, this is NOT an ad to sell it!!)

Thank you, much appreciated.

 

[twalker H260]

Have you tried taking the existing bearing to a bearing supply shop?

the bearing itself may have info on it that would allow sourcing or cross reference from somewhere that deals primarily in bearings. I wouldn’t expect mercury to manufacture their own bearings.

short version - measure the inner diameter of the bearing, the outer diameter and its thickness (use a micrometer- usually in metric - a digital one can usually be had for around 20$) and that should allow you to begin a basic search. Once you have a few hits back you can look to see if they are the right type (roller, ball, tapered etc and have the right options ,grease, seal type etc.)

a quick search for “bearings, Maryland” came back with a few locations you could try. Applied Industrial Technologies looks to have several locations in your state.
If you need seals - they may be able to point you in the right direction for those as well.

McMaster-Carr might also be an option for you.

 

[dlochner]

I have one of those old 4 hp 4 stroke Mercs taking up space in my garage too.

Tohatsu made the motor and rebranded with Mercury. Try an online Tohatsu dealer.

 

[tfox2069]

I have one of those old 4 hp 4 stroke Mercs taking up space in my garage too.

Tohatsu made the motor and rebranded with Mercury. Try an online Tohatsu dealer.

Just took your advice and looked for a cross-reference on Tohatsu motors. Kind of a bad news - good news thing. Turns out the Tohatsu parts are even harder to get, but in looking for the cross-reference I did run across the parts in stock on marineengine.com that are genuine Mercury parts, and a few other cross-referenced substitutes. That site seems very handy for cross-referencing like that.

Appreciate the pointers @dlochner and @twalker H260 . If the parts turn out not to be in stock I may start looking at a bearing supply shop. Will update later.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Thank you @dlochner and @twalker H260 for advising. I appreciate your help and support helping here

Tohatsu also built outboard motors for Nissan, Mariner and Mercury. They no longer make motors for Mariner nor Nissan. I have been told but unverified Tohatsu no longer makes the Mercury outboards.

Dave alias Crazy Dave

 

[SailingLoto]

What's the part number? I have an extensive mercury/mercruiser parts department. I will gladly check out stock for you.

This isn't uncommon. I had a customer wait nearly a year for a dts shift solenoid for a very common 200 outboard. Parts availability is a disaster since the pandemic.

 

[shemandr]

A 20 year old 4 hp Mercury/Tohatsu outboard would not rate space in my garage. Especially if I had to walk around it.

 

[dlochner]

A 20 year old 4 hp Mercury/Tohatsu outboard would not rate space in my garage. Especially if I had to walk around it.

It is a very lightly used motor for the dinghy. If it has 50 hours on it, I'd be surprised.

 

[tfox2069]

What's the part number? I have an extensive mercury/mercruiser parts department. I will gladly check out stock for you.

This isn't uncommon. I had a customer wait nearly a year for a dts shift solenoid for a very common 200 outboard. Parts availability is a disaster since the pandemic.

Here's what's taking forever:

 

[tfox2069]

A 20 year old 4 hp Mercury/Tohatsu outboard would not rate space in my garage. Especially if I had to walk around it.

You've obviously been talking to my wife.

 

[tfox2069]

Update:

I just ordered one of 2 "in stock" at marineengine.com. We'll see if that turns out to be true. It wasn't with the last vendor.

 

[Terry Cox]

Has anyone else run into this issue with Mercury outboard parts?

Yes, sort of. Our 1990s 5HP two cycle gear box has two small machine screws; upper one to fill with oil, lower to drain. Fumble fingers gave the upper one to Davy Jones. Dealer price for a replacement was $16.50 (not a typo). Tacoma Screw had one that worked for under a dollar. Sheesh!

 

[kloudie1]

I just sold a 2005 4 HP 4 Stroke Merc for $200 .. It was given to me . I could not find parts from Mercury and ended up buying what I needed from Tohatsu and eBay.. I think I spent about 4 hours playing with it and roughly $25 on parts. It was a short shaft.. very good runner..

 

[Nichole340]

I read where you said you ordered the part, but your not that confident about getting it.
Did you try Crowley Marine? When I typed in your reference number it came right up as available.
Just in case you don’t get it from the other place.

 

[tfox2069]

I read where you said you ordered the part, but your not that confident about getting it.
Did you try Crowley Marine? When I typed in your reference number it came right up as available.
Just in case you don’t get it from the other place.

Crowley is where I ordered from back in Oct, and they did deliver all the other parts I needed except for the bearing. A couple of times the part has shown as available when I check their website, but when I ping customer service they consistently say "Oops, sorry, not available" and change their website. I will say Crowley is SUPER responsive, even if their website isn't always accurate as to parts availability, and they are dependent on Mercury in this case, so it's not their fault the part isn't available. I would order from them again, but this particular part they haven't been able to come through.