Xesvuli420
Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2009
- Messages
- 144
I haven't been boating but for 3 seasons. I knew nothing about a boat when I got her, but I know quite a bit now. I do have a background in engine, electrical, and moderate mechanics. I graduated from MMI(motorcyle part, not Marine). Ive had 4 years Auto Tech in school, and worked on my own stuff all my life... I Just dont know ANYTHING boat specific (except what I've learned in the last couple years).
Last year was the first year I did the whole 4th of July on the lake. It was great (except for my problems with the boat but we havent got their yet). If you want the details read the LONG story. Otherwise I placed the key bits, or at least what I think is key in the SHORT story part. I know the long story is, well.... LONG but thats everything I can remember. I appreciate you taking the time to read this!
~~~Long Detailed story~~~
Somewhere around April of last year I started noticing that when I went into reverse, if I put a moderate load on the throttle, the stern would "kick" like its popping out of gear. It only did it when I gas'd it pretty good so I didn't rush home to grab the wrenches. After about 2 more times on the lake, I started really loosing reverse, but again, It was only reverse. I had paddles if I needed to go backwards. Now please don't judge me at this point, I want you to understand that maybe 2 weeks prior, I had just replaced one of the hydraulic lines for the trim, and it was a nightmare getting the stern back on by myself. I'm not the type to let something just ware slap out before I fix it, BUT I assumed it was in fact the shift cable and like a noob I put if off. Well finally it started effecting forward. So I decided I had to get something done. I knew I was going to pay someone to fix it to save me the headache of messing with that stern, but it was 35 days away from this july 4th trip I had been planning since the year before.
~~~RANT on MANN MARINE!!! Next paragraph is the outcome.
I called around to get estimates, and found a place called Mann Marine in Kernersville, NC. I told them I knew it was 35 days away, But I wanted to be sure that under no circumstances would they need to keep the boat until the weekend of the 4th. I was promised numerous times that the boat would be back to me, in my garage, no later than 2 weeks before, At worst they would keep it for 2 weeks. We also agreed on a flat price for the parts, taxes, and shop labor for the job. I agreed, so I took it to them. I'm not the type to rush or bother anyone when something has been agreed to so I didn't call them until the end of the second week. At this time they informed me that they had been behind, and hadn't even looked at my boat. They told me to give them 1 more week and they would make sure it was finished. A week later the same story. I told them I was just going to come get the boat, and the guy said he was really really sorry, he knew he had promised me the boat back last week but please just give him one more chance. 1 more week and he guaranteed it would be done, and he would even tune the carb for me for free for my trouble! Ok so another week goes by, I give them a call, and the guy said that he had just pulled it into the garage, it was going to be started first thing in the morning. I was a little pissed, but since it was finally getting done, whats another day. I agreed and got off the phone. Later that evening I started thinking, something just don't sound right, so I jumped in my truck, and made the hour long journey to see if it was really inside. Guys the boat hadn't moved since I parked it! I drove back home and waited for the next day to call again. The next day I called and questioned the guy about him "just pulling it in" and "it would be looked at first thing in the morning" and he said that he had to pull it back out for the night. I asked him then what was the point of pulling it in? excuse after excuse. I told him to forget it I was on the way to pick it up. He acted like he didn't care, but people I didn't make it 15 minutes down the road before he called me (for the first time ever) and actually had looked at my boat. He must of ran outside, climbed in, and looked around... But by the way he had talked I could tell that he at least had LOOKED at my linkages. Anyways he said to let him work on it, he would call me in a couple hours when it was finished. Again, a lie. The next morning was July 3rd, 1 day from the big event, and 2 weeks past when it was supposed to be back home. So again I called him and said have it ready, I was on the way fixed or not it was going with me. He said to wait he was working on it right then. I said NO and hung up. By the time I got there I didn't see my boat. I went in and asked if it was finally being worked on, and a different guy said it had been taken to the lake to be test rode. I decided to hang out in the lobby until it got back. It was actually funny because while I was sitting there a guy walked in the shop asking why his boat was a week behind schedule. He got told the same story I was, but he actually told them to get his boat he was taking it somewhere else. His boat was actually in the garage area. They also got a call, and although I only heard the business side I came to the conclusion it was the same kinda thing. "Hello.... oh hello soandso....yea we are trying to get a look at it now... its been a hecktik week around here...I know, I know, but I promise it wont be much longer...(insert 5 minutes of excuses)... well I can't stop you from coming to get it but if you'll be just a little more patience...hello?...Hello? I couldn't help but grin. At least I wasn't the only one who was getting screwed! Anyways I looked around the shop, and waited for about 45 minutes, and finally here come my boat.
Once he parked my boat, the guy acted like we were best friends, but procedded to tell me that the shift interrupt switch wasn't working. A micro switch that allows the linkage to kill the engine long enough to shift to and from gears, and this was most likely why the cable had stretched to begin with. Someone had forced it. I said I would keep that in mind, and would fix it at home. He told me it was a safety issue, and the boat couldn't leave the shop until it was fixed. I said we would see about that. I told him if he didn't un-hitch my boat from his truck I would do it myself, and if he gave me any more trouble I would call the police. He said to let him go talk to his manager to see if he could release the boat in that condition. Sure enough the boat was released. I had to sign a waiver eliminating the shops responsibility if something happened, but I would die before this shop got another second on my boat. I went inside to pay, and the bill was 80 bucks more than we agreed. I asked him why, and he said it took longer than expected. I told him that didn't matter, I wasn't going to pay any labor except what the shop book called for on that job (When you work flat rate you have an alloted time to do a job. Any longer and the tech loses money, the idea is to be quicker and start on another job. Thats how most dealership mechanics get their pay). This guy knew I was a mechanic too, I don't know why he thought he could screw me over on the tab. Long story short, I paid exactly what I agreed to begin with, hooked up my boat, and drove off looking in the mirror PRAYING the shop would explode.
So that's the deal with this HORRIBLE, WRETCHED, SAD EXCUSE FOR A MARINA. Skip down to "Issue"
~~~Short story~~~
I was told my shift interrupt switch is bad by a very un-reliable source (MANN MARINE, NC, BEWARE!!!)This was the diagnosis after having them replace my shift cables. I would have done it myself but I had JUST put the stern back on from a previous repair, and did NOT want to wrestle that thing again in such a short time. They actually tried to force me to let them make the repairs, but I refused and threatened to get the law involved if they didn't release my boat. If you want the whole story, just read above.
~~~Issue~~~
All I know is that I cannot shift into neutral, and shifting out of neutral gives a slight "Clunk" into gear (which I was told on here last season that was normal).(only when in the lake. when its muffed*, it either seems to work, or at least doesn't give so much trouble)
Anyways, it makes it impossible coming into the dock smoothly, or in heavy traffic areas. I actually have to kill the motor with the key to put it into neutral, crank it back up, just to go into the opposite gear. I've heard that on this model OMC that the motor idles only on 3 cylinders, and doesn't go into using all 4 until once its in gear. And that helps it shift. That tid bit is also from a guy who swears my motor is an Iron Duke, although Im fairly sure Iron Duke is only Pontiac. Either way I figured his tid bit was worth mentioning!
I have a multimeter, plenty of tools, camera, whatever you need. I just need someone to help me figure out where the problem is. I assume that if it is in fact a switch I can check it with my meter, but I have to know specs and what switch to check.
Guys can you find it in your heart to help me? Shoot me some resources, talk me threw it. I'm willing to do the work, just need a little expert guidance. I promise in return when I get all expert and stuff I will pay it forward to the next new kid on the block.
Thanks again guys
Ive got to figure this out, hopefully you guys will help.
Last year was the first year I did the whole 4th of July on the lake. It was great (except for my problems with the boat but we havent got their yet). If you want the details read the LONG story. Otherwise I placed the key bits, or at least what I think is key in the SHORT story part. I know the long story is, well.... LONG but thats everything I can remember. I appreciate you taking the time to read this!
~~~Long Detailed story~~~
Somewhere around April of last year I started noticing that when I went into reverse, if I put a moderate load on the throttle, the stern would "kick" like its popping out of gear. It only did it when I gas'd it pretty good so I didn't rush home to grab the wrenches. After about 2 more times on the lake, I started really loosing reverse, but again, It was only reverse. I had paddles if I needed to go backwards. Now please don't judge me at this point, I want you to understand that maybe 2 weeks prior, I had just replaced one of the hydraulic lines for the trim, and it was a nightmare getting the stern back on by myself. I'm not the type to let something just ware slap out before I fix it, BUT I assumed it was in fact the shift cable and like a noob I put if off. Well finally it started effecting forward. So I decided I had to get something done. I knew I was going to pay someone to fix it to save me the headache of messing with that stern, but it was 35 days away from this july 4th trip I had been planning since the year before.
~~~RANT on MANN MARINE!!! Next paragraph is the outcome.
I called around to get estimates, and found a place called Mann Marine in Kernersville, NC. I told them I knew it was 35 days away, But I wanted to be sure that under no circumstances would they need to keep the boat until the weekend of the 4th. I was promised numerous times that the boat would be back to me, in my garage, no later than 2 weeks before, At worst they would keep it for 2 weeks. We also agreed on a flat price for the parts, taxes, and shop labor for the job. I agreed, so I took it to them. I'm not the type to rush or bother anyone when something has been agreed to so I didn't call them until the end of the second week. At this time they informed me that they had been behind, and hadn't even looked at my boat. They told me to give them 1 more week and they would make sure it was finished. A week later the same story. I told them I was just going to come get the boat, and the guy said he was really really sorry, he knew he had promised me the boat back last week but please just give him one more chance. 1 more week and he guaranteed it would be done, and he would even tune the carb for me for free for my trouble! Ok so another week goes by, I give them a call, and the guy said that he had just pulled it into the garage, it was going to be started first thing in the morning. I was a little pissed, but since it was finally getting done, whats another day. I agreed and got off the phone. Later that evening I started thinking, something just don't sound right, so I jumped in my truck, and made the hour long journey to see if it was really inside. Guys the boat hadn't moved since I parked it! I drove back home and waited for the next day to call again. The next day I called and questioned the guy about him "just pulling it in" and "it would be looked at first thing in the morning" and he said that he had to pull it back out for the night. I asked him then what was the point of pulling it in? excuse after excuse. I told him to forget it I was on the way to pick it up. He acted like he didn't care, but people I didn't make it 15 minutes down the road before he called me (for the first time ever) and actually had looked at my boat. He must of ran outside, climbed in, and looked around... But by the way he had talked I could tell that he at least had LOOKED at my linkages. Anyways he said to let him work on it, he would call me in a couple hours when it was finished. Again, a lie. The next morning was July 3rd, 1 day from the big event, and 2 weeks past when it was supposed to be back home. So again I called him and said have it ready, I was on the way fixed or not it was going with me. He said to wait he was working on it right then. I said NO and hung up. By the time I got there I didn't see my boat. I went in and asked if it was finally being worked on, and a different guy said it had been taken to the lake to be test rode. I decided to hang out in the lobby until it got back. It was actually funny because while I was sitting there a guy walked in the shop asking why his boat was a week behind schedule. He got told the same story I was, but he actually told them to get his boat he was taking it somewhere else. His boat was actually in the garage area. They also got a call, and although I only heard the business side I came to the conclusion it was the same kinda thing. "Hello.... oh hello soandso....yea we are trying to get a look at it now... its been a hecktik week around here...I know, I know, but I promise it wont be much longer...(insert 5 minutes of excuses)... well I can't stop you from coming to get it but if you'll be just a little more patience...hello?...Hello? I couldn't help but grin. At least I wasn't the only one who was getting screwed! Anyways I looked around the shop, and waited for about 45 minutes, and finally here come my boat.
Once he parked my boat, the guy acted like we were best friends, but procedded to tell me that the shift interrupt switch wasn't working. A micro switch that allows the linkage to kill the engine long enough to shift to and from gears, and this was most likely why the cable had stretched to begin with. Someone had forced it. I said I would keep that in mind, and would fix it at home. He told me it was a safety issue, and the boat couldn't leave the shop until it was fixed. I said we would see about that. I told him if he didn't un-hitch my boat from his truck I would do it myself, and if he gave me any more trouble I would call the police. He said to let him go talk to his manager to see if he could release the boat in that condition. Sure enough the boat was released. I had to sign a waiver eliminating the shops responsibility if something happened, but I would die before this shop got another second on my boat. I went inside to pay, and the bill was 80 bucks more than we agreed. I asked him why, and he said it took longer than expected. I told him that didn't matter, I wasn't going to pay any labor except what the shop book called for on that job (When you work flat rate you have an alloted time to do a job. Any longer and the tech loses money, the idea is to be quicker and start on another job. Thats how most dealership mechanics get their pay). This guy knew I was a mechanic too, I don't know why he thought he could screw me over on the tab. Long story short, I paid exactly what I agreed to begin with, hooked up my boat, and drove off looking in the mirror PRAYING the shop would explode.
So that's the deal with this HORRIBLE, WRETCHED, SAD EXCUSE FOR A MARINA. Skip down to "Issue"
~~~Short story~~~
I was told my shift interrupt switch is bad by a very un-reliable source (MANN MARINE, NC, BEWARE!!!)This was the diagnosis after having them replace my shift cables. I would have done it myself but I had JUST put the stern back on from a previous repair, and did NOT want to wrestle that thing again in such a short time. They actually tried to force me to let them make the repairs, but I refused and threatened to get the law involved if they didn't release my boat. If you want the whole story, just read above.
~~~Issue~~~
All I know is that I cannot shift into neutral, and shifting out of neutral gives a slight "Clunk" into gear (which I was told on here last season that was normal).(only when in the lake. when its muffed*, it either seems to work, or at least doesn't give so much trouble)
Anyways, it makes it impossible coming into the dock smoothly, or in heavy traffic areas. I actually have to kill the motor with the key to put it into neutral, crank it back up, just to go into the opposite gear. I've heard that on this model OMC that the motor idles only on 3 cylinders, and doesn't go into using all 4 until once its in gear. And that helps it shift. That tid bit is also from a guy who swears my motor is an Iron Duke, although Im fairly sure Iron Duke is only Pontiac. Either way I figured his tid bit was worth mentioning!
I have a multimeter, plenty of tools, camera, whatever you need. I just need someone to help me figure out where the problem is. I assume that if it is in fact a switch I can check it with my meter, but I have to know specs and what switch to check.
Guys can you find it in your heart to help me? Shoot me some resources, talk me threw it. I'm willing to do the work, just need a little expert guidance. I promise in return when I get all expert and stuff I will pay it forward to the next new kid on the block.
Thanks again guys
Ive got to figure this out, hopefully you guys will help.
