When do you say enough is enough

[jgoeden]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Yeah they're the ones who installed the manifolds on the new engine. That's their responsibility in my opinion.

I would go to another Merc dealer and have them fix it under warranty.

 

[the rebel]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Dammit son, do those guys have it in for you?
Let's start over, this is getting harder to figure out. You say you had a cracked block. Did you see the cracked block and where all was it cracked? Was water getting into the engine?
You stated that the boat ran good when you were running it before the new long block install and it has not run well since then. If water was entering the engine, is it possible water was entering through cracked manifolds instead of a cracked block?

 

[avenger79]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

this is beginning to sound like they think they found an open checkbook and they're going to use it for as much as they can.

isn't there another shop you could take it to? did you get your old parts back from the other work they've done. (old block excluded of course)
are you able to see what they are saying is wrong?

do you have friends with boats who could recommend a shop they have good experience with? if not go to a lake and start asking around. you'll find someone who can recommend a good shop.

 

[msojjo]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Dammit son, do those guys have it in for you?
Let's start over, this is getting harder to figure out. You say you had a cracked block. Did you see the cracked block and where all was it cracked? Was water getting into the engine?
You stated that the boat ran good when you were running it before the new long block install and it has not run well since then. If water was entering the engine, is it possible water was entering through cracked manifolds instead of a cracked block?

I did have a cracked block, took it to two different shops and they verified that it was a cracked block. Water pouring into the bilge and into the oil. Verified it by seeing the block when it was out of the boat. There were large cracks on both sides of the block both internaly and externaly. It did run excellent with the cracked block, and they did have it running very well after the repower until they took it back to replace the powersteering. That's when they told me it needed a fuel pressure regulator, and when he pulled off the manifolds i was told there was water in the manifolds, and getting to the cylinder. I know there is supposed to be some water in the manifolds but where it enters and how it supposed to flow, i'm not quite sure. (I do know it goes out with the exhaust)

 

[msojjo]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Yeah they're the ones who installed the manifolds on the new engine. That's their responsibility in my opinion.

I would go to another Merc dealer and have them fix it under warranty.

I would love to go to another dealer, but my problem is mercury won't let me go to another dealer to have it fixed under warranty, because the manifolds are not covered, the manifolds are part of the original motor, not part of the new long block assembly. And yes this should have been addressed when they found that it was a cracked block, manifolds should have been tested then.

 

[msojjo]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Of course there's water in the friggin' manifold. There's supposed to be. But, where? Who did the pressure test?

I was just told that the manifolds were shot, and water was getting into the cylinder, but not bad enough to soak the plugs. I'm not sure who did the pressure test, but the mechanic said that he had to take them to a different location to have them tested.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Wow. Really sorry to hear about your luck. It happens to the best of us.

When they installed the new longblock did they suggest new manifolds? Not putting new manifolds on a new block is kind of like putting worn tires on a new car. Doesn't really make any sense, especially when that block was cracked and may have overheated.

In regards to the comments about mechanics, dealers, etc., I understand your frustration. I've been burned in the past. However, I have also found some really good ones. I am currently using a mobile mechanic. He's a young guy - early 20's - graduated from MMI, and is no more expensive than the marina. He comes to me and doesn't charge mileage. He has gone out of his way to be helpful and now has a customer for life.

Have a few beers and spend some time in your engine compartment. Look for anything that seems to be out of place. You might also have the ignition checked out. I had a 7.4 in the old boat that would run intermittenly. Some days great, some days not at all. Turned out to be the ignition module although all of the professionals I spoke with were SURE it was the carb.

 

[howlnmad]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

When do you say enough is enough? When your checkbook is overdrawn, your savings is wiped out, credit cards have been maxxed out, you refinanced your home, you've closed out your retirement plans, the bank tellers point and laugh when you walk in and your kids have hidden their piggy banks. Those are usually good signs. I hope this has helped to lighten your burden.

 

[msojjo]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

When do you say enough is enough? When your checkbook is overdrawn, your savings is wiped out, credit cards have been maxxed out, you refinanced your home, you've closed out your retirement plans, the bank tellers point and laugh when you walk in and your kids have hidden their piggy banks. Those are usually good signs. I hope this has helped to lighten your burden.

Yes, i feel much better now, lol. Havent' reached that point yet. I think first thing i need to do is name the boat. Then start a fund in its name to keep it on life support.

 

[msojjo]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Wow. Really sorry to hear about your luck. It happens to the best of us.

When they installed the new longblock did they suggest new manifolds? Not putting new manifolds on a new block is kind of like putting worn tires on a new car. Doesn't really make any sense, especially when that block was cracked and may have overheated.

They didn't suggest new manifolds, because he said at the time he thought they were ok. I'm guessing he didn't have them tested before he put them back on, he also said that they were pretty rusty.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

They didn't suggest new manifolds, because he said at the time he thought they were ok. I'm guessing he didn't have them tested before he put them back on, he also said that they were pretty rusty.

He said that they were "pretty rusty" & didn't have them pressure tested? At the least he should have had that done, or suggested that u replace them. Your boat is 10 yrs. old. That's about the lifespan of manifolds that were run in freshwater. I'm not trying to blame anybody, maybe he was trying to save u a few bucks. But, he should have explained to u what might happen & given u the option of replacing the manifolds or not. I think he should give u a break on the labor charges.

 

[98Shabah]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Sorry to read about your misfortune, but I'd say that 100% without a doubt, this service dept is milking you for all your worth. Boats with I/Os are MUCH less complicated than car engines/drivetrains.. They're also much more accessible, at least in my opinion. Outside of having he longblock replaced, a shade tree mechanic could do all the other things that this shop has done for you. Run away, start turning wrenches yourself, and if your a bit unsure of your abilities maybe pay a small hourly amount to someone who can assist you in your own garage/driveway..

 

[msojjo]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Ok, so were getting there. I just got off the phone with the owner of the marina. My bill is under 1500, so that's good. There just finishing putting the manifolds on now, and have to button it back up throw on a starter selinoid, and serpintine belt and it should be good to go. He said they will have it on the water by 5 this evening. they replaced the fuel regulator and the old one was rusted and looked like absolute crap, so he thinks this is definatly the problem. So with the fuel regulator which is 150, serpintine belt which is just under 50, from what i found, a starter selanoid about 20 and two manifolds at 350 each, that's 920 in parts and about 550 for labor. That sounds about right dosen't it? I think the biggest part of the job was moving the seats out of the way in the back of the boat and getting to the bottom side of the motor to replace the fuel regulator. He did tell me that he is going to make it manditory to pressure test all manifolds off a cracked block, because this should have been done, and checked before the motor was reassembled. He did tell me that he had to take the manifolds to a radiator shop in town to pressure test them. I think that i may have my boat for the weekend, well maybe i shouldn't get too excited, it hasn't been water tested yet.

 

[soaringhiggy]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

did you ask him for a cost reduction as this should have been caught by the mechanic when they put in the long block. I would ask for several hours labor to be taken off as most likely that is what was lost during this adventure.

 

[Stachi]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

must be a wis thing. bought mine 3 seasons ago. got at least 3 hours of use after spending tons of money on that great little gem.

i can work on motorcycles,trucks, and houses but boats just baffle me. problem is when your at the mercy of a wrench monkey they will screw you over. must be a jealousy thing, they hate you can have things. i don't know what it is for real but i'm in the same situation as you.

i have decided to try one more time. this time with a more normal engine config to me. the i/o style.

the present boat is going either to my son as a gift or to rawhide.

lessons learned since buying my boat: boaters trying to sell are lying thieves.

boat mechanics are incompetent swindlers looking for an easy buck because they are incapable of doing a good job.

nothing we can do about it really but at least you know you're not alone

wrench monkey ????...excuse me ?

 

[avenger79]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

wrench monkey ????...excuse me ?

don't feel bad I've called myself worse things like DAGBY and cannon cocker, nail pounder, grease monkey, and gear head at one time among other things. should have heard what I called the tire twit when I found out he decided to "check my truck for other defects" while he was changing my tires. the only apology I gave them was when I promised they would never have to see me in their shop again. a month later when I bought rims and tires for my Jeep I called another shop. Got great service, fair price and pride in their work guess where I'm going for the rest of the tires I purchase.

if people would simply do the job they are paid to do. do it right, do it promptly and do it with pride as though they were working on their own possessions. there would never be a dissatisfied customer. ok I'll take that back, I've watched a couple excellent bike mechanics deal with people who wanted their bikes basically rebuilt for the price of an oil change. point is if you charge someone $125 per hour to wrench on something there is no reason on earth why mistakes should be made or "things suddenly found out". that weren't broke before. I work on a lot of vehicles and I fully understand while in a location of a part you may notice something else is bad, or you may even say hey should we change this while we're in there and won't have to charge you labor to tear it all apart again. This is not that type of situation though is it? Or are you saying you think these guys have done a great service for the OP? are they doing a good job? with pride?

oh that tire twit, I watched a guy pick up his truck while I was there (after yelling at the guy to get the hell out from under my hood) funny thing, he went down the road and came back two minutes later. screaming at the manager, "why doesn't my truck shift now"? managers answer? oh yeah the "mechanic" found a trans leak, it started leaking really bad while it was in there, we could fix that for you. somehow the thought of a guy fully qualified to mount tires working on a transmission just doesn't appeal to me.

so many stories could go on this subject but I digress, if it hurt your feelings I apologize. We all know there are good wrenches out there and we all know there are bad ones. it's just a matter of finding the good ones and promoting their business daily so the lousy ones can simply be run out of business.