Choosing The Right Mechanic

[LuvBoating]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

As I've said before, we ARE the customers and deserve to be treated that way! My wife isn't happy at all about the "upfront" money we've had to give him, but we are living with it. The "time delay" isn't our fault at all. In fact, he told me today that he has to finish the boat he is working on so he could have the money to buy a new bilge pump and hour meter for us. He told me that he has a boat sitting there that he isn't continuing to work on b/c the owner hasn't given him anymore money yet. Just how can someone run a business with ZERO capital in the bank for the business????

Your pressure on the assistant that day at very least added to the problems at the shop and at most may just be the incident that put him over the edge. Everything you have done so far at the wife's behest has only added to your delay time. I would have to let her know that her pressure applied thru you is most likely the cause of these latest delays.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

7/27 Update: Hadn't heard from the shop owner/mechanic since I talked to him last Friday when I gave him the cash for a new alternator. Stopped by his shop this AM and he was there......and so was his assistant that he told me last Friday he had fired. When I looked at the assistant and said "well, I see you're back" and he told me he'd been on vacation. The shop owner/mechanic was sitting right there when his assistant said that and simply "smirked" a smile. Don't really care either way (fired/rehired or vacation). HOWEVER, I do know that the shop owner/mechanic missed his helper! The shop owner/mechanic also told me that his back was real sore last week and he didn't work.

Actually, we don't know what to believe! All we want is our boat finished!

The new alternator came in, as well as the new "high performance" spark plugs were there (not installed though). There was a new water hose sitting on to of the engine (not connected) also. He told me that he had messed up our other one and so he bought a new one (won't charge us for it). I said "guess that's it for buying stuff" and he said "yep, got everything". Then, I thought about the new bilge pump and hour meter. He told me he had to finish up the boat he and his helper was working on in order to buy the bilge pump and hour meter. The dude doesn't have enough capitol in the bank to buy those two items??? My wife doesn't want to "upfront" him anymore money either!!
When I said "another week or two before it's done, hugh?", he said "no, should be the end of next week". I thought to myself "when I see it, I'll believe it!". I told him, "if I don't hear from you by next Thursday, I'll stop by again" and he said "you'll hear from me before then". All I could say to myself was "ok".

We just want to get this thing done and paid for!

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

Well, from the way it looks (no responses), nobody is interested in our boat repair situation anymore..........which is ok.
Do want to thank everyone who did respond.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

At this point I suspect that his unwillingness to upfront any cash probabally has to do with you and your wifes attitude. He probabally figures that you folks will not pay him in full when he does get done.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

Our "attitude"???? We haven't begun to get an attitude with him yet, but we could, but WON'T. Right now, we really don't care what the "H" he thinks, we just want our boat done and back to us! We can't do anything about past experiences he's had with other boat owners who haven't paid him and abandoned their boat with him. I'm not a "shrink"......wife and I are CUSTOMERS that require (ok, request) the job to be done and done good. End of story!

At this point I suspect that his unwillingness to upfront any cash probabally has to do with you and your wifes attitude. He probabally figures that you folks will not pay him in full when he does get done.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

You don't get it and seemingly never will - good luck and I hope that you get your boat back soon.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

8/2......PROGRESSING! Called this AM. I was told that the engine is in the boat and so is the new bilge pump and hour meter. And, from what I understand, the new alternator, plug wires and water hose are also installed on the engine now. I told him that I would stop by tomorrow and put a bottle of ethanol treatment into the gas tank. We put one in early this year, after filling up the tank, but since the engine hasn't been started for the last two months (engine out of the boat), we want to make sure we have a new bottle of it in the tank.
I'm really curious at how the new engine (block) looks inside the boat now. My wife will want me to make sure that there is a oil filler cap on the valve cover and the loose bolt that she seen (from a photo I took) laying on top of the engine is gone.
When he does a little "break-in" of the engine on the water, we can only hope that he doesn't run the boat like it's a race boat........of which it definitely is NOT.
We will just be glad to pay him and get our baby back!

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

Friday 8/3 AM: Stopped by the marine shop and our mechanic was having his assistant put new shocks on his truck. He also showed me new tires he bought for his truck and is having them put on by his assistant as well. Guess he got some money that came in from a boat repair or two. Our boat was sitting off to the side w/the engine and drive back on, but with the full cover off. The cover is inside his shop. Sure hope we don't get a downpour of rain in the next few days! We have got the deck cover on it though. When I asked him how it was going, he told me that there is an electrical issue he has to look at and a couple of other small things. He has to run the engine some on the hose and do a water-test and an hour of "engine break-in" on the water. He said it should be ready next week. I told him (nicely), "please take it easy with her".
I put the ethanol treatment into the gas tank, pulled back the deck cover and took a look. He installed a new automatic bilge pump, hour meter and I could see the new alternator. There was also a oil filler cap on the valve cover now. The bilge pump is a Rule 500 gph one that goes on every 2 1/2 min to check for water and cost US $100. From what we could see, we've never had water in our bilge area.
Our biggest concern now is.......what this all will cost us! We've already given him "upfront" money for the long block and other things. My wife has a Bachelors in Business/Acctg and knows about invoices and finance.
He promised me before I left that the boat will run great when we get it back. All I can think of to say to myself is "ok".

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

Mechanic took our boat out on the water yesterday and told me this AM that there is some type of fuel problem going on. He got the boat up on plane (around 2,800 rpm) and then the engine started slowing down like the carb wasn't getting enough gas. He has taken off our carb and is cleaning/rebuilding it. This is the 3rd time this carb has been rebuilt. It was rebuilt a month/half before we bought the boat, but the owner didn't tell us. Even though it was rebuild then, it choked up and stopped while in idle during our test run with the owner. The owner took $500 off of his asking price so we could get the carb adjusted better. The mechanic who had rebuilt the carb before, forgot that he had rebuilt it and told us that he could either rebuild the carb or pour some chemical into the gas tank to help the carb. We chose to have it rebuilt and later found out that it had been rebuilt just before we bought it.


After the carb is rebuilt this time, it will go back on the engine and the mechanic will go for another ride in the boat. If the carb isn't the problem, he thinks it could be ethanol in the bottom of our gas tank and will try to get it out. The mechanic will also test our fuel pump to make sure it is ok. I took him a new fuel pump this AM that was given to us with the boat when we bought it.

From what I'm understanding, this fuel problem is only happening once the boat is up on plane. Wouldn't think that would be an ethanol problem though.

 

[samagy16]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

I feel for you for having to go through this. I cant believe your patience, props to you for that!

You MUST keep the updates until this is resolved, I've read 4 pages on this thread and surely don't want it to die without knowing the end of the story. This is like a novel now, and I must read the last page. LOL!

 

[ricohman]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

If the boat has had the carb rebuilt 3 times and still doesn't run right it may need more than a rebuild. The bushings on the throttle plate may be worn out ect. A new carb may be in order as well as a reman distributor and the new fuel pump.
It can be difficult to diagnose and repair a condition like this. And I've done plenty of this when installing new engines into trucks that have nearly everything else worn out.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

Also if the carb has been rebuilt 3 times, then maybe it is not the carb I'd be looking at everything from the fuel pickup on up the line - filters - pump. Ethanol in the tank is not going to have any impact on the boat except to clean all the gunk out of the fuel system.

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

The SAGA continues (pleased, but pissed as well)!

PLEASED b/c the mechanic told me today (over the phone) that the rebuild kit worked and the engine ran fine on plane. He took the boat out yesterday after doing the rebuild on the carb. He wanted me to bring over the two engine covers (cushions) that we took home with us in June. Each cushion had a tear in it, so I bought both home to repair. The deck cover goes over the engine area as well and we had that on.
I told him that I'd bring those cushions over tomorrow AM b/c it was stormy when I talked to him. The rain lightened up, so I decided to take the cushions over to him.
Now, the PISSED part: When I got to the shop, the deck cover was 3/4 off of the boat and and the interior was soaking wet, including the engine. I sure WASN'T happy about that! Our full cover is in his shop and he was gone! Then I checked the dual battery switch and it was in the ALL position! It's suppose to be in the OFF position so the battery/batteries don't run down/die. I was angry about that, but put the switch in the OFF position. I didn't say anything to him, but I did notice yesterday that the plug was still in the stern, our stern straps weren't on the boat and the coupler lock he has wasn't on either. We always have the stern straps on when the boat is on the trailer and the coupler lock in place as well. Thank God the plug was out! I put the engine covers/cushions over the engine and pulled/snapped the deck cover on.

I called him and asked him why the cover was 3/4 off with it having rained so hard and he said "I forgot after we were working on it. I *&^%) up, ok, so what do you want me to do about it?" I didn't mention seeing the Dual Battery Switch in the ALL position and that I took care of that. Didn't tell him about the stern straps either. I did tell him that the winch strap was twisted and I straightened it out. All he could say is "Cody" in a sarcastic tone of voice. I told him "we take care of our boat".

I want to get this boat back more than ever now.......so does my wife!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

What is the matter with the boat that it matters if the battery switch is left on?

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

Nothing wrong with the boat. We were told by the marine service that installed the dual battery switch to always make sure the battery switch is in the "off" position when neither battery is being used so not to drain either or both of the batteries.

What is the matter with the boat that it matters if the battery switch is left on?

 

[Maclin]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

Time to ask your bilge pump installer how it is wired. That type of auto-sense pump will run down batteries all by itself even if there is no water in the bilge.

 

[Lakes84]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

Looks like I'm going to beat you back on the water lol. My boat broke the first part of July. After thinking about the situation, I realized a brand new motor was in order. I paid for a turn key 4.3 for my boat. I'm picking it up personally on Friday and my mechanic will have it installed by the end of next week. I wouldn't even mess with that carburetor any more. Purchase a new Edelbrock or a Holley 4160, they come preset and ready to go. Sure it might cost a little more, but your carb is suspect at this time.

I actually have learned from your thread and have not even spoke to him about what/how he's doing. I just call him with updates, because he's supposed to have had the motor already (distribution issue) He's ready to install, I just need to get him the motor! Hope you get your boat soon. BTW, we'll need pics

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

Saga is OVER!!
He told me yesterday, over the phone, what we owed him and we got a Cashier's Check this AM for him. The cost he came up with was for labor, carb rebuild, 2 water test runs (on the water) and taxes. When wife and I got to his shop, he didn't even have and invoice done (or even started)! Since my wife has been a Financial Anyalyst, Staff Accountant and now a Mortgage Analyst, she helped him figure out the invoice amounts. While she was getting her Bachelor's Degree in Business/Acctg., she worked during tax season for a company doing taxes. She does our taxes every year w/o a problem. She filled out our portion of the Warranty Card and we took it with us to mail (he already filled out his portion). He told us "I can mail it or you can" and I immediately said "we will" and got it from him. The Warranty Card is in the mail right now!

I got on the boat and checked all electrical (nav lights, cd player, fish finder, marine radio and all gauges that come on w/o the engine running).......everything worked. Hooked up the muffs to the drive and started the engine, all gauges concerning the engine worked and the engine purred! Darn thing started up so fast/easy, I thought we had EFI (which we don't). He did have us lower the drive all the way down to the ground, which I never did when I'm just starting the engine w/the boat on the trailer.

So.........when you put the muffs on your drive to just start up the engine and let it run to operating temp (on the trailer), do you lower the drive all the way down to the ground?? In the last 3 years that we've done that during the winter months, we've left the drive all the way up. The only time we lower the drive all the way down is when we check the operation of the drive/put it into gear.

He put 3 hrs on the meter and told us that when we put 7 more on (total of 10), bring it back to get an oil/filter change. The warrant won't cover the oil/filter change, so don't know if we should take it back to him or not. To have the warrranty honored, we do have to take it to him for any block issues. He told us if there are any problems with the block, it won't cost us anything.......the engine company will reimburse him for all labor/parts costs.


NOW, the funny part: We forgot and left the gas pump at his shop that I took over to him this past Tuesday when he was having a problem with the engine running smooth while on plane on the water on Monday. I called him a few minutes ago and asked him to please put the pump (inside a box) in his office and we'd come over later and get it. He said (somewhat seriously), "don't you want to give that to me as a tip? I could use it on someone else's boat engine." and I said "nope"!


So, the boat is back in our storage spot and this weekend we will clean it up. The drive is pretty dirty from sitting in his shop for almost two months. SURE GLAD TO HAVE IT BACK!!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

So.........when you put the muffs on your drive to just start up the engine and let it run to operating temp (on the trailer), do you lower the drive all the way down to the ground?? In the last 3 years that we've done that during the winter months, we've left the drive all the way up. The only time we lower the drive all the way down is when we check the operation of the drive/put it into gear.

You should at least lower it down below the lowest trailer position - running the motor with the drive in trailer is hard on the u-joints

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Choosing The Right Mechanic

Yes i would lower it at least to the max operating trim limit (~75%).

You should already be in that position anyhow (or lower) to prevent premature bellows failure while storing.