2004 175 Johnson OceanPro repair - Am I being treated fairly?

[AquaHawk]

I am so happy to have found this forum. If a thread containing this information exists, please re-direct me, but I couldn't find anything doing a search.<br /><br />I purchased a 2004 AquaSport 215 Osprey with a 2004 Johnson 175 OceanPro last summer. Due to hurricanes, winter and the birth of my son, the boat sat for about 8 months. I was only able to put about 5 hours on the boat before letting it sit. I did not prepare the boat to sit for so long and did nothing to it during that time. As you can imagine, I had some problems when I took it out on Saturday.<br /><br />After messing with it (adding new gas to existing, adding fuel additives, etc.) I just couldn't get it to run for more than 1 - 2 minutes so I took it to the service center. They are now re-building the carbs b/c they are all gummed up and gave me a quote of $650. Yes, I am obviously a novice to boat repair, etc. I couldn't diagnose and fix the engine myself, so I am trusting that these folks are doing "what really needs to be done to fix the probelm" and are charging me a fair/standard price. <br /><br />Feedback is appreciated. Thank you in advance!

 

[DJ]

Re: 2004 175 Johnson OceanPro repair - Am I being treated fairly?

You can bet that your carbs were indeed fouled.<br /><br />I would also dare to mention that your fuel is garbage too.<br /><br />$650.00 does not seem steep if they have to rebuild the carbs, look for lean running damage and clean your tank.

 

[AquaHawk]

Re: 2004 175 Johnson OceanPro repair - Am I being treated fairly?

Thanks for the reply, DJ! I am already making myself sick for not running the boat for so long and then not handling the motor's downtime as I should have; so it makes me feel better that they are doing 'the right thing'. <br /><br />They should know enough to let me know if the gas is indeed garbage and if there is any lean running damage, right?

 

[jim dozier]

Re: 2004 175 Johnson OceanPro repair - Am I being treated fairly?

Since you were only able to run it for 1 to 2 minutes you probably didn't damage anything. Once you get it fixed you should know as you have probably guessed by now that boats don't like to sit. They will last longer if you use them frequently than if you let them sit. If you can't go boating at least fire the mother up on a hose and run some fuel through it. Carb cleaning isn't rocket science but it does take time, you've got 6 I think and it isn't done with a pressure washer from the outside.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 2004 175 Johnson OceanPro repair - Am I being treated fairly?

That's great advice. It doesn't work too well, though, up here in Minnesota. We get to use our boats from May through, maybe, October. Then it just gets too cold, even to use muffs. In fact, we have to shut off our outside faucets.<br /><br />So, it takes the winterizing up here.

 

[DJ]

Re: 2004 175 Johnson OceanPro repair - Am I being treated fairly?

CA,<br /><br />As a former MN resident, I feel your pain.<br /><br />Add SeaFoam (available at NAPA stores)<br />to your fuel-all year.<br /><br />It's a great fuel stabilizer and helps keep things clean-too.

 

[AquaHawk]

Re: 2004 175 Johnson OceanPro repair - Am I being treated fairly?

Thank you as well, jimd. I am sure people are thinking what a ...@##!$#%!$#, so i appreciate taking it easy in me. <br />Checked with the service center and he agreed that since i only ran it on the hose in the driveway, there probably is no lean running damage...but to be sure it would come up on a compression check.

 

[jim dozier]

Re: 2004 175 Johnson OceanPro repair - Am I being treated fairly?

Aquahawk are you in New Port Ritchie?

 

[AquaHawk]

Re: 2004 175 Johnson OceanPro repair - Am I being treated fairly?

Yessir, jimd.

 

[AquaHawk]

Re: 2004 175 Johnson OceanPro repair - Am I being treated fairly?

So what type of damage can occur from running too lean? Can it be a quick-inexpensive-fix?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 2004 175 Johnson OceanPro repair - Am I being treated fairly?

Worst case scenario is that it will damage one or more pistons. Quick and inexpensive are, at that point, relative terms. <br /><br />Running a couple on minutes on the hose probably didnt hurt anything. Just make sure the $$$ includes getting rid of that fuel as the guys mentioned.