What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

[yoster]

It's getting a little annoying.

Whenever I call to get a quote and tell them I have a 60-degree evinrude, they say, "stop right there, you know about the issues with that engine right?"

"What issues?"

"Overheating issues, sputtering from carbon buildup, and the recall"

"What recall?"

"The oiling system"

"The oiling system is fine, and the engine runs fine."

"Oh ok then! Please continue, what do you need?"


Argh, that's ALWAYS the reception I get (for the record all I was calling about was a quote for getting a water pump and new lower end seals installed. Nothing engine related).

I do notice though that EVERY dealer in my area is a Merc dealer; zero BRP dealers. Could that explain it? It's like every shop hates my engine. One guy didn't even want to give me a quote to work on it. What's up?

Side note, once I did get a quote, it was $375 for a new water pump and lower seals installed. Not too shabby I'd say for a shop.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

Actually the OMC 60* loopers are very good motors. Maybe it is a local culture thing? The early FITCH motors had issues, but the carb motors were great.

Sounds like you need a OMC service manual and some time to study it, and do your own maintenance.

 

[yoster]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

I've got the OEM manual and know a decent amount about the motor, but just no time to work on it. My job requires a lot of traveling so when I am home I'm spending time with the wife and getting ready for our new baby. When I DO have free time, I just want to go out and do some fishing Plus there's just no room in the garage to work on things right now.

I hate (HATE) to pay mechanics, but lately I've had to. I still refuse to pay for things such as oil changes or brake jobs though; those are quick enough that I can do at home in short order between honey-do's.

Thanks for the info on the engine! I haven't had it too terribly long but so far it has been running very well (after I had the carbs re-built).

 

[jonesg]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

What leads you to think it needs seals?
Water in the oil?
That usually occurs from bad seals on the drain screws.

To me...changing a water pump IS boating.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

Well, it's a good thing you came here, because you can learn how to do it yourself and thumb your nose at the shops.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

Responses like those in that scenario usually means the shop is very unfamiliar with your motor. Most likely they cannot buy parts directly from BRP. Most likely they do not have OE manuals. Most likely they do not have a tech who is current in BRP training.

If they are that uninterested in giving you a quote I doubt seriously if they are interested in working on it for you.

 

[AviatorJim]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

Hating to pay mechanics, but wanting them to invest in the training, manuals, inventory, and tools is a definite recipe for unhappiness on both sides of the equation. And since you did find one who gave you a good price on work in the past, why not just send all the work his way?

I'm a mechanic by trade, and if I get the impression I can't make a guy happy (not that I am unable or unwilling to do the work), I try to send him to a shop that can give happiness as well as good service.

I also suffer from an inability to buy anything that works when I bring it home, and think that a carb full of sour gas is useful as a table centerpiece and air freshener.

Cheers

 

[jtcarter]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

Well all i can say is there must be a short supply of decent mechanics everywhere. I've got one of these motors. Most of what i get is this. " They're great motors until something goes wrong with them, then they're a pain to fix".

I think my problem is ignition electrical though. Intermittent spark issues. Point the timing light at the timing wheel and it has the cylinder numbers at the top. Go from plug to plug with the light, some test out fine, but then you run across one or two that show the cylinder it should be firing on then you see another number in there too that shouldn't be there.

All i can say is i've had problems with this motor from day one and no one in the Nashville area seems to be able to fix it or find a problem with it. All i get is they're great motors, but this one isn't.

My advice, buy a mercury, that's what i'll be doing this spring.

 

[yoster]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

Sounds like you got a lemon. Lemons come in every brand.

I'm starting to think the guy got mine mixed up with a Fitch. All the things he mentioned (carbon buildup and cooling issues), are things after a quick google search that seem to be known issues on the Fitch motors.

But generally, all dealers here are Merc dealers. Not a single Evinrude one around, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it.

 

[jtcarter]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

Sounds like you got a lemon. Lemons come in every brand.

I'm starting to think the guy got mine mixed up with a Fitch. All the things he mentioned (carbon buildup and cooling issues), are things after a quick google search that seem to be known issues on the Fitch motors.

But generally, all dealers here are Merc dealers. Not a single Evinrude one around, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it.

Having that many Merc dealers around should probably tell you something. Yeah i've come to the conclusion that mine isn't going to be fixed ever. I've had both brands and far less problems with the Merc. I'll take that into account anytime i deal with boat motors again.

 

[yoster]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

Yeah my dad just went to a Merc; no particular reason, it just came on the Starcraft fishing boat he got a few years ago.

Growing up we had an old 1964(5?) 90hp Evinrude Electricshift. This was in the late 80's when we got it; put that thing through the ringer, but it always kept going!

After that it was a 1977 SeaRay with an OMC sterndrive. Never had issues with it except for that stupid gear system they had to raise/lower it. Tilt motor would always get water in it and freeze up. Replaced it twice then just got frustrated and manually raised/lowered it after that lol.. until the motor let go in 2003.

So after the SeaRay blew up, we bought a 2002 FourWinns 220 with a Volvo Penta outdrive; no issues but that's also probably because we bought it new (bought new in 2003, but was a 2002 model). Great boat, and it was so nice being able to trim the boat! First time we had PT&T since being in boating. SeaRay had power Tilt, but no trim. Have to say though, the old SeaRay did seem smoother in choppy water. Same length, but weighed more.

Father sold FourWinns about 5 years later (everyone was off and married by that time) and picked up a 1995 Starcraft with the Merc for fishing. Zero problems thus far with it. It's a 75hp.

We've been fortunate in that most of what we've owned has worked pretty well. I think the biggest reason for the Merc dealers here is the low boating population. We only have a few lakes, so back when OMC went under, I'm sure the few shops we had switched to being a pure Merc dealer. Also Bass Pro Shops/Outdoor World has a big presence here, and they do not carry anything BRP on the salesfloor. No new BRP sales, no reason to have a BRP service center I suppose. When I lived in Sacramento it was a bit different; Evinrude had a higher presence there.

 

[AlTn]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

have you spoken with forum member Fatzbullet in Mt. Juliet?

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

All i can say is i've had problems with this motor from day one and no one in the Nashville area seems to be able to fix it or find a problem with it.

have you spoken with forum member Fatzbullet in Mt. Juliet?

Yes he has and thats how he found that # 6 cylinder timing is off, going to meet him at lake one evening and swap packs...

 

[AlTn]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

I ever get over to the middle Tn. area,Fatz, I'm gonna look you up...Mt. Juliet can't be no big place...j/k...glad this storm front finally passed on through

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: What's with the constant bad reception I get from service shops?

Getting bigger everyday!!