78Galaxy
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2008
- Messages
- 35
See most recent post for updated info/picture...
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Hey all-
I first want to say hello, as I just bought my first boat this past weekend. I am glad that there is a forum on the web that addresses these types of issues, and perusing the past threads, it seems that everyone here is courteous and helpful. I'm glad to be a part of this community.
Now, to business...
The boat I recently purchased came with a 1970-something ('78 or '79, I think) v4 Johnson SeaHorse engine. It allegedly has a 'bad cylinder' according to the reputable mechanic who inspected the engine. I was specifically told that a cylinder has low compression, and 'must be replaced' at some point. I was told that the engine runs as is, but 'it will leave [me] somewhere, sooner or later - could be 2 hours, could be 2 weeks' if I run it (once again, according to the mechanic I was referred to).
Now, that being said, I was quoted $3,000 to fix the problem. Clearly not worth it. I called another reputable mechanic, and he said that his price would be about the same because the part needed to fix it is $2,100. The part needed escapes me, however, he deduced the part from the information I have stated above.
With that in mind, I have considered several options:
1) Get a membership with Sea//Tow or Boat US and just run the darn thing until it dies and subsequently buy a new engine after I get towed. (I won't be taking this boat out much farther than swimming distance of shore, by the way.)
2) Get an exact fix on what the part is, and try to locate it elsewhere for less money, then pay the mechanic to install it.*See footnote
3) Suck it up and try to find the $3,000 somewhere so I can pay to fix it (this probably would take longer than the remaining boating season to do, so I am not excited about this option).
4) Suck it up and buy a new engine. See #3 above.
5) Use a reputable 'independent' mechanic to fix the problem as is or install the replacement part that I procure. A close associate of mine has a shade-tree mechanic who he has trusted for years and who guarantees his work.
*If I do need to locate the replacement part, what degree of interchangeability am I looking at as far as 85HP engines? I.e., are the parts from a '78 and '79 85HP SeaHorse interchangeable? What about other years?
In any case, what are your thoughts?
Thank you so much!
James
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Hey all-
I first want to say hello, as I just bought my first boat this past weekend. I am glad that there is a forum on the web that addresses these types of issues, and perusing the past threads, it seems that everyone here is courteous and helpful. I'm glad to be a part of this community.
Now, to business...
The boat I recently purchased came with a 1970-something ('78 or '79, I think) v4 Johnson SeaHorse engine. It allegedly has a 'bad cylinder' according to the reputable mechanic who inspected the engine. I was specifically told that a cylinder has low compression, and 'must be replaced' at some point. I was told that the engine runs as is, but 'it will leave [me] somewhere, sooner or later - could be 2 hours, could be 2 weeks' if I run it (once again, according to the mechanic I was referred to).
Now, that being said, I was quoted $3,000 to fix the problem. Clearly not worth it. I called another reputable mechanic, and he said that his price would be about the same because the part needed to fix it is $2,100. The part needed escapes me, however, he deduced the part from the information I have stated above.
With that in mind, I have considered several options:
1) Get a membership with Sea//Tow or Boat US and just run the darn thing until it dies and subsequently buy a new engine after I get towed. (I won't be taking this boat out much farther than swimming distance of shore, by the way.)
2) Get an exact fix on what the part is, and try to locate it elsewhere for less money, then pay the mechanic to install it.*See footnote
3) Suck it up and try to find the $3,000 somewhere so I can pay to fix it (this probably would take longer than the remaining boating season to do, so I am not excited about this option).
4) Suck it up and buy a new engine. See #3 above.
5) Use a reputable 'independent' mechanic to fix the problem as is or install the replacement part that I procure. A close associate of mine has a shade-tree mechanic who he has trusted for years and who guarantees his work.
*If I do need to locate the replacement part, what degree of interchangeability am I looking at as far as 85HP engines? I.e., are the parts from a '78 and '79 85HP SeaHorse interchangeable? What about other years?
In any case, what are your thoughts?
Thank you so much!
James
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