Cost estimate for carb work? 98 Evinrude 115 SPL

[ChadJ55]

I'm trying to get a feel for what it will cost me to have my carbs worked on. It is a 98' motor so I am told I should not need an entrire rebuild, just more of a check-up. I am thinking that there is either somehting floating and getting caught in one of the high speed jets or something may be wrong with one of the floats. And if that doesnt make sense, forgive, I do not know carbs well at all. FYI, the engine is intermittently not reaching full RPS at WOT. Checked all electrical components - OK. Engine is getting enough fuel according to the pump ball test. But when I push the key in, the engine momentarily jumps to life. I'm told this is a good indication of a carb problem. Sometimes it is effected by the planing angle of the boat and sometimes effected when hitting a big wave- motor jumps back to life.<br /><br />So, if anyone can give me a ball park figure as to what I should pay for a basic cleaning/check-up for the carbs, I'd really appreciate it.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />-Chad

 

[ChadJ55]

Re: Cost estimate for carb work? 98 Evinrude 115 SPL

for a complete history of what I've tried and whats worked vs. not worked, see this post:<br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=17;t=018480

 

[plywoody]

Re: Cost estimate for carb work? 98 Evinrude 115 SPL

All ballpark guess would be two hours per carb at $75/hr shop time, plus parts (probably about $35 to $40 per carb.)<br /><br />Maybe some of the professional mechanics on the board can get closer, and don't hold me to this estimate, but around $400 for a twin carb engine is somewhere in line, I think. That of course assumes they don't find major problems.<br /><br />It is not that big a job, and with a manual and this board I'm sure you could be walked thru it--looking over the previous discussion, I would almost be that the problem is some simple electrical problem--somewhere something is not getting properly grounded, maybe???<br /><br />If I was going to take this engine into a shop, I would tell him to trouble shoot it and find the problem and call with an estimate--rather than tell him do the carbs. He'll do them, charge the $400 and it may not fix your problem. A good mechanic with access to the engine can usually track down the real problem pretty quickly. It could of course be the carbs, but why put out the money unless it is necessary.

 

[aeronutt29]

Re: Cost estimate for carb work? 98 Evinrude 115 SPL

I could say "If you can afford that motor, you can afford the repair bill", but that's not what this forum is all about. We help each other as much as possible to do the work ourselves! Even if you work only 1/4 as fast as the mechanic, you are paying yourself $20 per hour! Those carbs are VERY simple compared to the carbs on automobiles. Almost nothing to go wrong when taking apart and reassembling. Just watch where everything comes from, do 1 at a time so you have the other one to look at, and follow the instructions in your manual. You do have a manual don't you? As long as you have the carbs off, be sure to buy a bucket of carburetor soaking solvent at NAPA and give them a really good cleaning. The spray cans are OK for a quick cleanup of nothing is clogged, but there's just no replacement for an overnight soaking in solvent.<br /><br />Do a search for "carb cleaning" and you'll find more info than you could possibly use!

 

[DJ]

Re: Cost estimate for carb work? 98 Evinrude 115 SPL

Agree with aeronutt, about one hour per carb.-professional!<br /><br />Get a manual-$25.00 and do it yourself. They're simple. It's the linkage that will mess you up.<br /><br />But! Are you SURE it's a carb. problem. A good tech. with a test tank is worth mucho $$$.

 

[ChadJ55]

Re: Cost estimate for carb work? 98 Evinrude 115 SPL

I am deffinitely going to be getting a manual. Right now, I cannot even identify the carburetors when looking at the engine. I have no clue what I'm looking for. (It would be enormously helpful if someone could describe them and their location to me). I can't say I am SURE it is the carbs, but from what I have been told and read, the "choke test" is usually a great way to isolate a carb problem. Mine does indeed react to being choked- the engine picks back up for a quick second. No change when pumping the primer bulb so I doubt it is a fuel pump issue. Replaced power pack and plugs to no avail. The problem is intermitten and can change with bow angle or big waves. This is why I am very suspicious of he carbs, primarily the floats and/or jets. To the best of my knowledge, the boat has never sat for a real long time. It is a 98' motor. I bought the boat earlier this summer and the problem was intermittent, but is becoming a more common occurence. Most every time out it will act up at one point. Or, at times, never run right all day. Next day start it and it runs like a champ for a while. Totally random. I'm still open to ideas. Is there a way, without doing a complete rebuild, to inspect/clean jets and floats? Or are they totally burried and I must take the whole carb off?<br /><br />Always appreciate your input.<br /><br />-Chad

 

[workinoffsho]

Re: Cost estimate for carb work? 98 Evinrude 115 SPL

Chad The manual will walk you through step by step and as far as the linkage mark it with a sharpie black marker to give you a refrence when they go back together. The kits will run in the neighborhood of $20 each. Being new at it you should be able to do both in a couple hours. To get a mechanic to do it wou are looking in the neighborhood of $150 to $250 depending on hourly rates and how fast he does it. I know car/marine engines but outboards is something I never messed with until I got the manual. Give it a try it's not as hard as it seems. Good Luck and Happy Boating.

 

[DJ]

Re: Cost estimate for carb work? 98 Evinrude 115 SPL

Cahd,<br /><br />The carb's are on the FRONT of the engine. There is an air silencer covering them. It will be plastic and black.<br /><br />You have two carbs. one over the other. You will see two devices between the balck plastic silencer and the engine block, that's your carb's.

 

[ChadJ55]

Re: Cost estimate for carb work? 98 Evinrude 115 SPL

I really think I may take a stab at doing this myself after reading all of your posts. I was eager to buy the repair manual anyways, now I have an excuse. Two more questions-<br /><br />1.) If I wanted to visually inspect the carbs for any debris floating inside that could clog the jets, can I do this without having to do a total rebuild?<br /><br />2.) My last experience working on my engine was not so great. I was replacing the thermostats (a huge pain on this engine) and after about 6 hours of work, realized I mounted the housing without using gasket sealant. Duh! So, will I need any type of goopy gasket sealant if I remove the carb to do the visual inspection I spoke about above? I'd really like to be able to at least look inside at the carbs to get a feel for what I'm dealing with this weekend. But I don't want to pull something off that can't be put back on easily.<br /><br />Thanks for all of you help with this.<br /><br />-Chad

 

[aeronutt29]

Re: Cost estimate for carb work? 98 Evinrude 115 SPL

The only way to do a proper inspection is to completely disassemble the carbs. You are likely to find very little on first glance. A piece of debris that is 0.25 millimeters in diameter could cause all kinds of problems if it lodges in just the wrong place!

 

[Russrio]

Re: Cost estimate for carb work? 98 Evinrude 115 SPL

Chad,<br /><br />I think I have the same motor as yours, 98 115hp Spl.. When I first bought it(used) I had some similar problems likes yours, but mine would also cut out when trying to get into a pier etc... I ended up going to a Marina and they ended up rebulding the carbs.. That was 2 summers ago, Engine ran great till about 1 month ago, now engine starts fine Cold, runs great. If you run the engine for about 2 or three hours, pulling kids on tube etc, engine still runs fine and starts.. When you park the boat and let it sit for a few hours, when you go to start it, it cranks fine, but does not even attempt to start.. If you wait another few hours, it then starts right up like nothing was ever wrong or If you spray some starting fluid in the Carbs, engine starts right up, I think I might have a faulty Weak fuel pump...But if I were you I would have the Carbs rebuilt, It cost me about $250.00

 

[ChadJ55]

Re: Cost estimate for carb work? 98 Evinrude 115 SPL

Thanks russrio. It really seems like this must be my problem then. Now my only dilema is whether to do it myself or pay the mechanic to do it. I'm still on the edge there. I'm going to try a visual inspection of the carbs this weekend. I'm still waiting on my repiar manual so I don't want to try something and end up having to pay a mechanic to fix my mistake. I appreciate your input and sharing the experience. I'm also glad to know the engine has run well since! Thanks<br /><br />-Chad

 

[ChadJ55]

Re: Cost estimate for carb work? 98 Evinrude 115 SPL

***Salvation?***<br />Ok, not 100% sure, but my engine MAY be fixed...<br /><br />Today, with the tip from djohns19, I found the carbs and ran some berrymans b-12 sparay carb cleaner through them for a bit. Now, my problem has been intermittent, but very preddictable lately. Today, I COULD NOT duplicate the problem after cleaning the carbs. And I ran it very hard. Shut it down, restarted, still ran perfectly. I ws out in the boat late last night (with the lady;-) ) and the problem was there, and acting as usual. Today, after the cleaning... PERFECT! I'd love to think it was this easy but am not celebrating until it runs perfect a few more times.<br /><br />Thanks so much for all of your help everyone. I will be sure to update you all soon with the thumbs up or down. Maybe the problem could have been this simple...?