Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

[playyas4u]

I went to the dealer today to get an estimate on getting my boat ready for the summer. I just bought the boat last year, so I don't know what's been done to it. I was quoted $500 to do a tune up whic will include changing all ignition componets, spark plugs, wires, rotor, cap. They will also pull the drive and do the lower unit, replace impeller, lube, and grease everything. Does this price seem to be reasonable and should I question anything? Thanks.

 

[Robj]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

Sounds very reasonable to me for all that work. Parts alone are probably close to $200.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[dcg9381]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

I went to the dealer today to get an estimate on getting my boat ready for the summer. I just bought the boat last year, so I don't know what's been done to it. I was quoted $500 to do a tune up whic will include changing all ignition componets, spark plugs, wires, rotor, cap. They will also pull the drive and do the lower unit, replace impeller, lube, and grease everything. Does this price seem to be reasonable and should I question anything? Thanks.

How old is your boat? What is it's configuration?

 

[Out of Bounds]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

With my annual services on a v8 with all of that we charge 550 and I do it mobliey .Here in ca that is cheep most dealers are upward of 620 and above

 

[playyas4u]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

Its an 1992 OMC 3.0

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

for that price I`d buy you dinner too.

 

[rocky100]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

Well, now i wonder exactly how often do u have to change the wires, cap, and rotor?
once a year seems maybe too often, what does everyone think?

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

Just replaced the wires , cap rotor and impeller on my boat this year. All was origional and still looked good 18 years

 

[Don S]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

Just because someone can go 15 to 20 years without a tuneup means nothing, Yea, they might get away with it, But I would bet money it wasn't running it's best, couldn't get WOT rpms, slow to get on plane, used a LOT of extra gas. But hey, you saved a tuneup. Just because something looks good to a DIYer, does not make the parts good. Even brand new parts (aka "Looks Good") can be bad right out of the box.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

dunno, tune ups are like rebuilds or boxs of chocolates.
ya never know what your gonna get till ya bite it.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

I would change the plugs every other year. Let me tell you what happened to me. I had a miss last year at idle so I decided to change the plugs that were only three years old. All looked good until I got to Cylinder #5 . When I pulled the plug the tip the Electrode had Burnt/broken off and was in the cylinder because I could hear it tinkling or so I thought. We pulled a compression check and there was no compression in the #5 cylinder so I took the Boat to a Marina and they wanted $3,000 to replace engine Block. They stated internal damage. I then took it to a friend and neighbor who runs an Engine shop and he said. He would tear it down and do a complete valve job, Replace any bad valves for $250 a head. Of course if the cylinder wall was damaged it would be a lot more. I had him tear it down and there was no damage done to the cylinder wall. The Spark Plug Tip. THE ELECTRODE had gotten caught in the Intake valve and damaged the Intake valve. The valve lost it's seet. So he replaced both the intake and exhaust valves #5 cylinder and milled both heads and ground the valves on both heads. Done a Compression test and FOUIND ALL CYCLINDERS EVEN AND IN SPECS.Total $550 .

He stated though this scenero is rare.it is not unheard of and he showed me about four he had kept that he had worked on off Automobile engines. Why it happened we do not know? It had the correct plugs according to my Engine Owners manual. The manual stated I could use either Ac or Champion plugs.


Well I have came to a Three conclusions.
(ONE)I think the reason the tip burnt/ broke off was because the plug reached a hair farther Champion than the AC Spark Plugs do into the cylinder wall even though owners manual says both will work. I think the plug tip got too hot and that caused it to Burn/Break off.
(TW0) Spark plugs cost $2.00 each. That's a whole lot cheaper than a valve job. So I'm going to change them every other year no matter what they look like.
(THREE) The engine is a 4.3 Leader GM Block. Champion is Ford. I will never run Champion or any Ford products in a GM Engine again regardless of what any book says I may do.

Now I suppose I've opened a can of worms but still $12-$15 for plugs is a whole lot cheaper and less stressful than a top half engine overhaul. By the way the plugs only had about Lets see 35 hours the first year, 50 hours the second and 80 hours this last year. A total of 165 hours on them. NEXT YEAR IT"s ALL NEW PLUGS FOR ME! You BET!


By the way the tinkling sound apparently was just the water passing through the manifold because it is still tinkling. The Mechanic said he checked the manifolds and they were clear and clean.

For all that work, Tune up and pull lower unit and replace impeller. That's a pretty fair price.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

Reasonable.....

 

[playyas4u]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

I want to make sure that they are using the correct/best parts for my engine. What type spark plugs and what should they be set to for my engine. Also does it matter what brand wires, rotor, and distributor cap they use? My engine is a 1992 OMC 3.0L.

 

[Don S]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

Then you tell them "BEFORE THEY START THE WORK" to use only OEM parts.

 

[playyas4u]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

I decided to just let them pull the drive, grease everything, change the lube in the motor and drive, and change the impeller. Total cost of $240.00. I feel comfortable enough to do the tune-up myself provided I can get the right parts and specs for the spark plugs & timing. Can anyone provide me with a list of parts and brands to do the tune up right? Also what parts need to be marine grade or does it matter when it comes to the spark plugs, wires, distributor, rotor, etc. Any help would much be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[JMRuth72]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

I will always try to do all of the work myself. One it is a good excuse to get new tools because I will eventually use them again. Two I know that it gets done. Three I know that it gets done right. I have been doing most of the maintenance work on my cars for as long as I can remember and when I get my boat up and running you can bet I will do the same. Of course since I will be installing the running gear I will know where everything is and I am going to make mods as needed to make it as serviceable as possible. I think that this would be a good time to learn how time permitting. Good luck.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

Defender is probably the cheapest also West Marine or Boaters World if you have any of these around will have everything you will need.

As stated before by "Don S" Just make sure the parts are OEM

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

Guy brought a check list from a marina down the street in and asked what I would charge for a service only. No Tune up. Told him a couple hours labor plus parts. The marina down the street, $650. But then they did include touching up the paint on the engine if needed.

 

[Lakester]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

One it is a good excuse to get new tools

as in... more!



regards
lakester

 

[JMRuth72]

Re: Is this a reasonable price for a tune up & lube change?

Yep, the more the better. I am lucky that I have a wife that understands that generally when I buy a tool there is a reason. We have been married a little over two years and probably spent about $6k in mostly mechanics type tools. Because of this I have probably saved us about $2k maybe more in maintenance costs and I won't have to rebuy any of them unless I loose them, which I doubt. I just finished the 30k mile service on our Grand Cherokee and I overheard the dealer quote a guy that had the same drivetrain in a different platform $1200. I bought the parts and fluids and did it myself for about $260. Sounds like a good reason to buy tools to me. I have actually used just about every tool that I have more than once for something. Gotta love it!!