Question for the Mercury Techs

old_dog

Cadet
Joined
Jan 14, 2010
Messages
13
I had the following replaced on my 1986 Alpha One with a MCM 170 inline four cylinder, the gimble bearing, drive shaft bellows, exhaust bellows, shift cable and both trim tabs plus all adjustments and lubrication. All the work was done by a Certified Mercury Mechanic, I have not had the chance to take it out for a test spin but I think he did a great job.

My question is for those who would have the knowledge, how many hours do you think he would charge for just the labor to do all of the above. The receipt shows times he worked on it via punches in and out on a time clock. But the final time was 10 hrs total, just seems a little much.

When you get say a water pump replaced in an automobile the labor is usually looked up in a flat rate manual and charged accordingly say 3.4 hrs x $60 an hour which would be $204. Just looking to see if I should question the labor cost or are they in the ball park.

Foot Note, the job went smoothly I know the bellows replacment is hard work, the boat is old but ?Cherry? has been kept in a garage its whole life and runs and looks awesome. Thanks for your input.

Old_Dog on Lake Wapogasset Amery Wi
 

JustJason

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 27, 2007
Messages
5,321
Re: Question for the Mercury Techs

To a degree, there is no such thing as flat rate on boats.... Fresh water vs salt, age, access to the engine etc.
Based on what you described, 10 hours sounds reasonable.
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: Question for the Mercury Techs

Sounds about right to me too...
I never quote an exact amount on labor.You never know what issues you will run into.
It is always the jobs you expect to be fast and easy that always bites you on time.
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: Question for the Mercury Techs

a non saltwater drive?
that job is normally 4 to 5 hours for the drive part.
access and corrosion if its ever been in salt can increase the time rapidly.
now, trim tabs?
trim tabs are not part of the drive and cost more labor hours to deal with.
trim tabs are part of the hull systems.
 
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