I purchased a '99 Bayliner Trophy with a '00 150ELXPTO S-W Mercury from MacDonald Marine (Frankfort, MI) on 05-21-05. This boat and motor were estimated to have between 30-40 hours use. Which was the reason I drove 700+ miles to purchase the boat and motor.

On or about 07-05-05, while running the Mercury at approx. 3, 000 RPM I heard what I thought was excessive engine noise. I shut the engine down and subsequently had it checked out by a marine mechanic.

He found the #1 & #3 starboard cylinders were without factory clips installed on the piston pins and subsequently were wearing grooves in the piston cylinder walls. I have attached a photograph for your reference.

I have since had the engine repaired at my expense due to Mercury's denial of defective assembly.