Hosed by service center, you be the judge & the jury

[lucylou6]

I recently took my Honda 4 stroke 90 hp outboard to have the carbs rebuilt. After about two weeks I was called and told to come pick up my boat. I was given a fairly large bill. So about a week later I took my boat out on the water, from the moment the boat hit the water it ran like crap. Side note I used a new gas tank and new gas. I returned my boat and motor to the marine that repaired the motor a week and a half prior. The first thing was for them to try to charge an extra $300 for some kind of carb fuel system flush. Ilost my temper over the whole deal. They then told me they would make good on their work. They called me down to their shop yesterday to show me that my intakes were covered in something no one could figure out what it was. The inside of carbs, the jets , the bowls, was all shiny and new looking, but they (mechanics) told me this build up in intakes could only be my fault. My question is it possible to have about a 1/16 of an inch build up of stuff on the intake side of the carbs, but the inside of the carbs including the jets looked brand new. Oh! Side note. Iran the motor for 20 minutes on new gas in a new tank. So If any could help out with your thoughts would be very helpful. I FEEL XYZ Marine IS TRY TO SCREW ME!!!!!

 

[fossill]

Re: Hosed by service center, you be the judge & the jury

They should have covered all their bases the first time around and fixed it right and charged accordingly. It's a "comeback" and if they are reputable they will fix it on their dime.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Hosed by service center, you be the judge & the jury

It depends on what you were charged for and the current/continuation of the problem. If you were only charged for cleaning the carbs and a test run, then ANY other problem would not be covered. That would include the re-infection of the fuel system. Having said that, I'm puzzled how they could miss a "build up" of anything on the carbs as cleaning the carbs would entail the removal of any contamination on it or in it. It sounds like they are ducking responsibility for a **** poor repair, but....

 

[lucylou6]

Re: Hosed by service center, you be the judge & the jury

I paid one grand to have all four carbs completely rebuilt. I went to take pictures today and asked how they tuned the carbs. The mech. told me he did the tuning in the shop. I learned that with the Honda it has to be put under a load in order to be tuned properly. Also the inline fuel filter they installed had nothing in the filter. I'll try and figure out how to post the pictures later. Thanks for the help so far.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Hosed by service center, you be the judge & the jury

An ouuuuuch!! expensive bill, at recession times not good to throw big money to waste basket, if any shop would do a thing like that to me, and tries to charge again for their sloopy overall work, surely would burn that shop down with mechanic and owner included

Happy Boating

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Hosed by service center, you be the judge & the jury

I paid one grand to have all four carbs completely rebuilt. I went to take pictures today and asked how they tuned the carbs. The mech. told me he did the tuning in the shop. I learned that with the Honda it has to be put under a load in order to be tuned properly. Also the inline fuel filter they installed had nothing in the filter. I'll try and figure out how to post the pictures later. Thanks for the help so far.

I would ask a different Honda dealer what the book time is for the operation. It shouldn't have taken over 5 hours so the bill seems excessive to me, but I haven't done a carb job on that model personally and I may not be taking something into account that might justify a bill of that size.

 

[lucylou6]

Re: Hosed by service center, you be the judge & the jury

Just got in, thanks so far for the quick responses. I found out from one of the mechanics that while they had my boat in their shop for my first reaming, the dealer lost their dealer certification with Honda. I feel they new this was coming and I should have been made aware of this situation before they started the work on my boat. Now if they do end up fixing their screw-up they cannot order parts from Honda, parts will have to come from a second dealer.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Hosed by service center, you be the judge & the jury

Hi Lucylou6. For starters, anything is possible and it only takes a tiny amount of debris to clog up a carb. The good news is that, generally speaking, rebuiling carbs is something you can do for yourself. It sounds scary, but it's really not too hard. You just need take your time and be patient. I can tell right away from your photos that the butterfly valve on your carb is covered in goop and desperately needs to be cleaned. I'd bet the other carbs are just as bad. If there's goop there then there is probably also goop elsewhere. The ligheter molecules in modern gas evaporated quickly and leave behind a sticky goo which can then clog up all the passages, needles, etc...
First order cab kits fo your make/model of carb (generally $30-$50), then get a can or two of cab cleaner from the auto parts store and clean/spray out EVERY nook and cranny in the the carb. After is super clean reassemble with new gaskets and needles from kit and I bet you'll be in good (better) shape. 2 cans of carb cleaner=$12 vs. 5 days at shop=$1000. At leats worth a shot, plus you'll learn a lot about your motor/carb by rebuiling them. Just some basic observations and tips. Hope it helps. Good luck!

 

[hondon]

Re: Hosed by service center, you be the judge & the jury

It is true ,that it only takes a tiny bit of debris to make those carbs dysfuctional,but that tech should know that .5 hours on this job is not unreasonble but the results should be satisfactoriy.At least a water test after that investment.I've been working on these things since they came out of the gate and they can take a lttle tweaking after a carb overhaul,but you have to have the equipment and knowledge to accomplish that.There is a reason that this dealership is no longer represented by Honda.