Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

[fishhunter]

Hey guys,I am needing to take my boat for engine repair,it's flooding at low rpm ...needle stuck , dirt in carb? parts to rebuild carbs=$100 let the mechanic do it=$300 (estimate over phone) I have never rebuilt a carb , but have been in on a few(watched friends doit) none on a boat motor.Ive decided to take it to a mechanic but I want to make sure i only get work that is necessary, I told the mechanic on the phone my problem (runs like a bat outta hell wide open then floods out and stalls when slowing down) rebuild all carbs and install filter is watt iam thinkin,I told him the boat was in the shop befor i bought it and the compression check was good 130 on all but #2&#5=125,he told me they do a different comp. test where they pump air into the cylinder and see how long it holds... I think this sounds like a bad idea myself but...iam an electrician not a boat mechanic(unfortunatly) Anything i need to be wary of to make sure i got a good mechanic? As usual all responses are greatly appreciated i love this place<br /><br /> Steve C.

 

[DJ]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

fishhunter,<br /><br />The alternative compression test you mechanic is speaking of is a "cylinder leak down test". This is helpful in finding leaking valves in a four cycle engine. I'm not sure of its validity in a 2 cycle. Not sure what they're after.<br /><br />You can rebuild the carbs. They're actually quite simple once you get them apart. Just take your time and plan an entire day. You do not want to leave disassembled carbs laying around. Those little parts have legs and YOU WILL forget how to put it together.<br /><br />If you have digital camera, take pictures. I find this VERY useful when I'm working on something completely foreign to me. This is especially true when trying to remember linkage hook ups and hose routings.

 

[CAPTBLACKSMARINE]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

you may want to keep in mind also that depending on the mechanic if you go in and tell him you need a carb job .you will probably get one and if that is not the problem you still have to pay for it ,because he was just doing what you told him to do. if you are not certain tell him how the motor is acting and that you do not know what is wrong . or that you think it is carbs but he needs to check and find the problem .if you are worried about cost tell him to diagnose it and call you with an estimate before he makes any repairs.if you have doubts about the mechanic then ask around to other boat owners and see what they have to say ,before you spend your money.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

I hope the mech is describing a cylinder leakage test in where you actually monitor the pressure building in the cylinder while applying a constant volume. If thats what he meant, you're ok.<br /><br />Anyway, the problem your experiencing sounds fuel related, and the last compression test sounded good. Get the carbs done first. The money he'll charge for a compression test could be spent on buying yourself a compression tester.<br /><br />

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

good advice CAPTBLACKSMARINE, let the tech make that call on whats wrong.....

 

[JB]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

Am I missing something here?? Where does anyone tell us what kind of engne this is?? It must have at least 2 cylinders, because Fishhunter talks about #2.<br /><br />Is it inboard, I/O, outboard, 2 stroke or 4 stroke, what make, what model, etc., etc.???<br /><br />It seems likely to me that it is a big sucker, if carb parts are going to run $100.<br /><br />With no other info, I think you need to follow CaptBlacksMarine's advice.<br /><br />If, on the other hand, you can give us some details and history, we may be able to guide you to doing it yourself.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

the "recent posts" in his profile will tell you that....

 

[Walter]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

I'm behind Capt. Black's advice 100%.<br /><br />Let's assume your mechanic knows his stuff. He should be able to troubleshoot the problem with your 200 hp Merc flooding at idle fairly quickly because it appears to fail regularly. Just be certain you make it crystal clear with the tech what you're asking him to do. Sure, you'll have to pay for the time he spends diagnosing the problem, but that's money well spent...especially if he finds the problem is a fairly simple fix.<br /><br />Good luck...<br /><br />Walt

 

[Walter]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

JB:<br /><br />In an earlier post, Trent identified FHunter's Merc as 1979 model. FHunter said it's 200 hp.<br /><br />Had I not read that post, I woulda been like you asking, "Huh? What you guy's talkin' 'bout here?" <br /><br />Walt

 

[JB]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

Aha! Thanks, Walter. Further proof that one topic needs ONE thread.<br /><br />Now, Schematic, is it reasonable to ask one to do a search just to find out what your question is? Not gonna get much help that way.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

Hi JB<br />No, I agree, doing a search would be asking too much. What I meant was,(a little trick) if you click on profile.....<br />

<br /><br /><br />Then click on recent posts....<br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />It gives you a history of his last posts, and usually the topics tell you his engine. I'll go the extra clicks if someone is as polite as he was......It only takes two clicks total.....<br /><br />

<br /><br />Hope I didn't ruffle ya....it wasn't meant to. Hope this helps...

 

[fishhunter]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

Thanks to everyone for the the helpful responses. I took my boat to a mechanic and just explained the sequence of events and asked him to diagnose the problem .He told me what we all have been saying sounds like dirt in carb,he will check it out and call me. So iam anxiously waiting,,,,thanx again everyone I love this place!

 

[JB]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

No offense, Schematic. Just accumulated frustration with the dozen or so posts we get each month that often SCREAM HELP!!! and say something like, "My motor broke!!! OH HELP HELP!!! What is wrong?"<br /><br />Yeah, a serious exaggeration, but sometimes they seem like that.<br /><br />NOT intended as a shot at you, Fishhunter, but it is very helpful to us if all inputs are on the original topic entry, and include everything you know about the problem, even if it seems irrelevant to you.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[ODDD1]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

Don't backpedal too far on this, JB...I always thought make, model and year in every post was just a common courtesy.....as far as hunting for posts as schematic described, never would have found/thought of it on my own....incomplete posts get passd by....

 

[fishhunter]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

MY bad guys....Please forgive me Iam a newbie here and dont wanna make waves, I was wrong assuming that every1 read all my previous post's , next time i will be sure to include all the info. to make it easier to respond to...after all it's to my benefit.However it was a good lesson from shematic that i will use daily while reading the post's tnx Schem. And thanks again to all u guys for the reponse. I love this place!<br /><br /> Steve C.

 

[Walter]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

Well...it does help A LOT when the topic remains on one thread. Perhaps if I had Schematic's understanding of how to manuever around in here as he does...then it wouldn't be a big deal. I don't know about the rest of you guys...but I'm often amazed at the things he posts in here. He's definitely a bit more computer literate than I...<----major understatement!<br /><br />Anyway, I'm happy Fishhunter is getting his problem resolved. I hope he keeps us all up to speed once he's back on the water again.<br /><br />Well, it's Saturday night and I've got a fresh six pack of cold Labatt's waiting for me in the fridge...sitting right next to a 14 oz. New York steak just awaitin' to go on the barby...<br /><br />Later guys..<br /><br />Walt<br /><br />Walt

 

[JB]

Re: Me vs. The mechanic..... avoiding unnecessary repairs

Oh, Walter! PLEASE enjoy!!<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB