140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

[mbecke2]

Recently my motor started giving me trouble. I would be cruising at 35 and all of a sudden it would drop speed to about 25. Kept doing funny stuff like that until one day it jus would sputter in gear and kill. Sometimes it would run but no power, wouldnt get on a plane. But it started fine and idoled fine. So I reluctantly took it to a mechanic and he calls me today and says the reed valve is bad and needed replacing and it was goin to be 440 plus tax and he had to fix that before he could further diagnose it. Ive never heard of a reed valve until today. I was wondering what caused this and also if this is a fair price. And also is this REALLY the problem?? I did notice the top carb coughing and spitin out alot. Also had like a creamy foam whitish color and thought it could be water in the gas tank. But we'll see what the greedy mechanic has to say about it. Jus not sure if its worth it to pay all this money to get an old motor running.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

I just went through a little reed problem myself, had a zip tie stuck in the reed.

Symptoms-

Constantly fouled the plug where the reed issue was

Would idle but didn't sound right

Had hardly any power

I had to pull the powerhead on my 15 and then the intake, at best a 2 hour job, the 140 might be a whole lot more work. Ask him what was bad about it and tell him you want the old reed, hope for his sake he can produce it and post a pic. Sounds more electrical than a reed but who knows.

 

[F_R]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

Well, I sort of doubt the diagnosis, but the mechanic is there and I'm not. Just for the benefit of the doubt, I looked up the reed box (valve) assembly and it is $129.00. Add a few more dollars for gaskets and such. Not knowing his hourly rate, often around $100 per hour, he is figuring a couple of hours, plus.

I suppose the real question is just what really is the problem? Whatever damaged the reeds could have gone on through the engine and caused extremely serious damage. Seems to me the mechanic owes a better explaination, or you aren't hearing what he said.

Send you WIFE in to talk to him. Women aren't afraid to demand an explaination. Us guys are suckers because we are too macho to admit we don't know anything. Women don't have that problem.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

Compression, ignition timing, greedy, tell us what you do, maybe we never heard of that either

 

[mbecke2]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

Recently my motor started giving me trouble. I would be cruising at 35 and all of a sudden it would drop speed to about 25. Kept doing funny stuff like that until one day it jus would sputter in gear and kill. Sometimes it would run but no power, wouldnt get on a plane. But it started fine and idoled fine. So I reluctantly took it to a mechanic and he calls me today and says the reed valve is bad and needed replacing and it was goin to be 440 plus tax and he had to fix that before he could further diagnose it. Ive never heard of a reed valve until today. I was wondering what caused this and also if this is a fair price. And also is this REALLY the problem?? I did notice the top carb coughing and spitin out alot. Also had like a creamy foam whitish color and thought it could be water in the gas tank. But we'll see what the greedy mechanic has to say about it. Jus not sure if its worth it to pay all this money to get an old motor running.

So the *****hole called me and said he put everything back together and ran the motor and its still has a miss on cylinder 3. So he said its the power pack and he recommended I get a new one which cost 260. I laughed at him and said dont replace it Ill do it myself. So he starts telling me theres a special way to put them in and you have to get the timing right. I bought one brand new for 120. So they call me back and say come get your boat its 520. So I am paying 520 dollars to go pick up a boat that is broken and basically the same condition I brought it in. Im ragin with anger but I dont know what to do now. I dont even know if the reed valve was even a problem. Those rarely EVER go bad. I just cant understand WHY and HOW he can get away with this. I hate taking my boat to a mechanic. Always rip you off!!!!! Then he says they only accept cash/check and I have to come pick it up because they are busy and need the space. I CANT BELIEVE it!!!!!!! If I would have let him change the power pack it may have been up to 900. Just not worth it ya know.

 

[mbecke2]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

compression, ignition timing, greedy, tell us what you do, maybe we never heard of that either

i am a research scientist at a university and i dont go around being dishonest and taking peoples hard earned money. This mechanic is a greedy *** and i know it. So obvious!! His labor and his time is not worth that much. Not even doctors make 100 an hr. And they work on people.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

Yup,takes all kinds. Reed valve, may as well told you it was a solar flare or quasars. Small claims court works well but hard to prove, did you get the reed valve at least?

 

[nymack66]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

I seriously doubt the technical ability of this mechanic. If you can find a new place to fix your engine or buy a manual and fix it yourself using the expertise of the guys on this site.
I went through hell with my engine but quickly learn if I own it I must know how to fix it.
Its unfortunate some of these scum bags wants to make a killing whilst doing there jobs.
It ain't rocket science give it a shot yourself you be glad you did.
Good luck

 

[F_R]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

Everybody wants to slam the mechanic. Trouble is, there are so many dishonest people out there posing as "mechanics". Or plumbers, or carpenters, or yes, doctors. I am a retired outboard "Technician" as OMC used to call us. I sort of resent being grouped together with those crooks. I am proud to say I never ripped anybody off in the 24 years that I worked in that field. There are crooks everywhere, just don't go 'round calling everybody one.

 

[nymack66]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

Everybody wants to slam the mechanic. Trouble is, there are so many dishonest people out there posing as "mechanics". Or plumbers, or carpenters, or yes, doctors. I am a retired outboard "Technician" as OMC used to call us. I sort of resent being grouped together with those crooks. I am proud to say I never ripped anybody off in the 24 years that I worked in that field. There are crooks everywhere, just don't go 'round calling everybody one.

Very good point, and I as everyone on this board should know the attacks in the blog are directed to the aforementioned mechanic and not to good honest folks like you. It is exactly why in my response I use words like "this mechanic" and "find a new place" to fix your engine.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

Everybody wants to slam the mechanic. Trouble is, there are so many dishonest people out there posing as "mechanics". Or plumbers, or carpenters, or yes, doctors. I am a retired outboard "Technician" as OMC used to call us. I sort of resent being grouped together with those crooks. I am proud to say I never ripped anybody off in the 24 years that I worked in that field. There are crooks everywhere, just don't go 'round calling everybody one.

Agreed Frank, you are as honest as they come, unfortunately not everyone is.

I can say I too am like you, I tell it like it is and give a deal when a deal can be given. I spent 7 hrs fixing a buddies 9.9, charged him $50 labour.

 

[jonesg]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

Problem is you don't know one way or the other , the reeds could have been shot AND the power pack. Problems seem to come in multiples and its over 20 yrs so...

 

[Solittle]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

Your original symptoms point to water in the fuel.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

a bad reed is easy to diagnose, it will be spraying fuel out of the carb at WOT. but it is almost certain the problem was the Power pack. easy to diagnose with a DVA adapter. good mechanics are hard to find...thats why I do it myself, now all my friends bring their boats to me. its easier and cheaper just to guess at it my self and maybe replace a few unnecessary parts than trust some of these bozos out there, and a good quality mechanic will usually be backed up 3 or 4 weeks by July. miss half the summer waiting on him to fix it.

 

[mbecke2]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

So I had my brother pick up the boat today and the mechanic told him the main problem was the reed valve on cylinder one. But my brother said on the receipt it says 60$ was charged for the reed gasket. So Im not sure if he jus changed the gasket or the actual valve. I ordered a power pack cause he said ther motor is still missing out on cylkinder 3. he wanted to charge 260 for the power pack. i bought one on iboats for 120. BUt Im not sure if the power pack is the problem. I will post back when i install the ppack. But i cant understand this mechanic to charge 460 for labor and then give me back a motor thats not even running. Anyway Im not tryin to bash all mechanics....just this guy. So i am already 520 +120= 640 under and I only paid 600 for the motor in the first place. I jus hope the motor runs good for a few yrs to come cause i fish and catch fish very often and take kids on board and have lots of fun and good memories in my boat. I just wouldnt know what to without it. my boat is my life!!

 

[jonesg]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

Thats why we come here and ask questions, then DIY if possible.
The best answers come from professional outboard techs anyway so...

 

[mikesea]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

If there is ANY way to get your money back ,I would do so.I agree with the DX of possible water in fuel.But it could also be a bad coil,dirty coil connections.My experience with powerpacks ,is,they are bad or good,not intermittent.That said.powerpacks for your engine are SIMPLE to replace,2 3/8 head bolts and a couple pull apart connections.No hi tech there.Sorry the half wit ,is taking you over the coals.Pisses ME off.The guy is not a mech.he is a POOR parts changer.Anyone that was or is in the business would have started with a spark and compression test.With TESTERS,not a simple grounding of a spark plug.So he pulled your carbs off,and intake ,to find the reeds were OK.Gave you back the rig in the same shape ,and hit you for $$$$.I wouldnt be suprised if its just a bad ground or bad pug wire.On the v-4's often the plug wires ground out on the cowl handle,a coil will be intermittent,especially if its a bad or dirty connection.You best way to DX.that problem is with a spark tester,another way is,run the eng.on a hose,pull the plug wires as it runs and see if you find weakness in a perticular cyl.If you find weakness it could be gas,spark or compression.You can save yourself alot of grief ,especially if you have a built in tank by putting a water seperator in the fuel line,check it occasionally for water.Thee are many self checks YOU can do with a minimal amount of money out lay for the tools.Compression tester ,spark tester and a 12 volt test light are valuable tools to a boat owner.Saves you a big hourly bill often.You can buy them at autozone etc.Good luck,sorry to hear your troubles.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

Ah so magically not a reed problem but a gasket issue with the reeds (like I said, solar flairs) , if that were it it would be fixed. This guy just robbed you of your hard earned $$$. I'm with Mikesea, I'd be pissed off.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

A good mechanic is as hard to find as a good doctor--as you have found out. I don't think $100 an hour is that unreasonable by today's wages for a REAL mechanic. They have all sorts of problems to fix that pop up like broken bolts, brittle plastic parts, etc. SOme jobs they come out good on, some they go in the hole on---all according to what breaks. They also have the overhead of a shop, heating/AC, insurance, etc. Mechanics aren't doing the work for fun. They have to make a living, too. I don't have any problem paying a person for their knowledge and skill-----if they actually have it. However, with F-R and others here, I rarely need a mechanic. I figure they save me about $1000 a year.

I hope you get your problem fixed. THose powerpacks can surely be pesky.
JBJ

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 140 johnson 1989 MECHANIC says reed valve

Doesn't sound like there has been a lot of troubleshooting here.
For a miss:
Check the compression on that cylinder.
Swap the spark plug
Swap the coil and spark plug wire
Then blame the powerpack