When do you say enough is enough

[msojjo]

Hi, i have posted on here several times now, and i just want to say thanks to thoes of you with knowlege in all that is marine. Basically i purchased a used i/o that i thought i checked over, but i know not good enough, because it ended up having a cracked block. I took the boat to a dealer spent over 5500 bucks and had a mercury remanufactured long block put in, and when i got it back was always sceptical of what they actually put into it. (Supposed to be a 350 mag, just dosen't seem like it has the power). Anyway, when i got over that, reproped it and got it to where it seamed rite, basicaly used it for a matter of an hour of two, saw that the power steering armature was leaking, because when the put the motor in they cross threaded the pressure fitting, and it leaked. The replaced the part which cost them close to 700 dollars, that they ate with out too much bitching. So now i finaly got it back, so i'm going to basically use it for the second time, and i can't get the thing started, luckly i'm not new to boating and i didn't detach it from the trailer until finally got it going by starting it with the throttle partialy open, never had to to that before. It runs extreamly rough, and i cant get it to plane with me and my wife in the bow, yes i was in the bow too trying to get it to go. Once i did get it up out of the water, at 3500 rpm it sounded loud and like it was running at about 6000 rpm. I just had the tach replace when they did the power steering, the old one was jumping around. Now i have no dash lights, and the steering sucks, it's very loose, (is this ajustable?) So basically, when is enough, enough. Can i take it to another dealer and get if fixed and have them pay for it? I just want to sell the stupid thing. I have about 4 hours on the thing.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Ohhh Boy! Youre emotional, I would be to. Sorry for your bad luck.
Is this new motor covered under some sort of warranty now? It should be. There is no reason that a new motor should not work or perform up to specifications. If this motor is covered under warranty mercury will let you go to another dealer. Look on their website, they have a listing of autorized dealers under your zip code. You have spent to much money for your boat not to work correctly. At a minimum, I would have the mind set that I am going to have a merc dealer get the engine running correctly. At that point I would then make the decision on selling it to try and cut some of your losses. Dont give up, you have invested too much $$$$ and time.

 

[msojjo]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

I do have a one year warranty on the motor that was replaced from merc. But i don't think that covers anything that was previously on the boat, i just had a long block put in, so injectors, throttle body, water pump, and so on that were swapped out wouldn't be covered i don't think. But with this authorized merc dealer that i went to, i seem to have to bring it back because something is always a miss. Like i said i have no dash lights now, what the heck, i was messing with the trim to fit it into my garage and that didn't work, i was able to find a disconnected wire, and did it myself, but still, that should not be. Everything should work when it leaves the dealership. That's why i'd love to take it to some one else and get it set up, and back charge the dealer who f*&^%^ it all up.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Take the boat back to the mechanic (after you calm down) and explain the issues you're having. Give them the chance to make it right. As a business owner, I know that I would like to exhaust all possibilities before losing repeat work. But, you can't treat them like garbage and expect them to want to help you out. This could be something simple as an electrical component left unplugged after the last service work. Give them the opportunity to make the repairs.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

....yup, or it could be that it's a problematic boat that you just put a remanufactured motor into. Look at it from the dealer's side, if someone brought in a boat and had you put in a motor, you can't be expected to have everything else working unless the customer said, "Go through the whole boat and make sure that everything is in working order." Had you said that, the shop hours would have added up but you'd get your "dealer repaired" boat. If you just have them slap in the motor, everything else is on your nickel.

My point here is to make sure that you are level-headed approaching the dealer because it may not be an issue they are responsible for handling. It sure is frustrating when things don't work and you've spent the money that you have.

 

[msojjo]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

I agree with you there, and i am and have giving them a chance to make it right. I have been very pleasant to the mechanic and the owner of the shop. I have not vented to them, just keep asking the question why? What is going on? Why do i keep having to bring it back. So no i haven't been pissy to the people at the shop, because things to happen, but at the same time, where is the test run? Why arn't they finding these errors, and i have to discover them when i finally get the time to get on the water. like i said, not even a total of 4 hours out this year. They have literally spent more time working on the boat. 10 hours to replace motor, 5 hours to fix power steering, now who knows when i'll get it back. Maybe i'll just have them winterize it. Ha Ha. At least i still have a sense of humor.

 

[msojjo]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

....yup, or it could be that it's a problematic boat that you just put a remanufactured motor into. Look at it from the dealer's side, if someone brought in a boat and had you put in a motor, you can't be expected to have everything else working unless the customer said, "Go through the whole boat and make sure that everything is in working order." Had you said that, the shop hours would have added up but you'd get your "dealer repaired" boat. If you just have them slap in the motor, everything else is on your nickel.

My point here is to make sure that you are level-headed approaching the dealer because it may not be an issue they are responsible for handling. It sure is frustrating when things don't work and you've spent the money that you have.

Captain caveman, the boat was running great until i took it into the dealer again to have the steering repaired. I understand the dealers point of view that's probably why i'm venting here (thanks by the way) and i did tell and have them go through the whole boat, and they replaced, let's see. Water impeller, 2 injectors,(wireing was fraying) engine coupler, fuel filter, oil pressure sender, distributer cap, power steering cooler, plugs, a plastic cover that was over 100 dollars a new tach and belts. So as you can see i did have alot gone through, and replaced because i didn't want to be in this situation. All together i put in 5700 bucks with the motor, plus a new prop, because the prop that was on there wouldn't get the boat out of the water.(that's why i'm sceptical about the 350 mag they say they put in.)

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Don't feel too bad. When I first got into boating.
The boat we bought was in the shop EVERY week for the first summer.

I finally told them I don't want this %&$^(#@ boat back until it can last a whole weekend !!

$1.600 bucks later all fixed up & She ran great for the next 3yrs without a breakdown !!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: When do you say enough is enough

there are so many things, connected and unconnected, that can go wrong on a boat. And sometimes, new parts parts fail or are wrong. For example, I'm wondering if your new prop is the wrong size, or is spun.
Maybe you can prevail upon the mechanic to sea trial with you. It would be worth it to pay him for this.

 

[msojjo]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

homecookn, i know the prop is correct, because i came on this site, and gave all of my symptoms, and advised me to go to a 17 pitch prop, because i couldn't even get up to 4000 rpm's wide open throttle. I had a 22 pitch on there, and came down to the 17, and i can ski, tube, or just cruise with 9 or 10 people in the boat and not have a problem planing out, or have any lack of power. Now it's like i have half of the power, and it runs like crap. and now new issues of no lights, loose steering, ect.

It makes me feel better to know that i'm not alone in this matter, and i know that when you buy used there is always something to repair, thanks for giving me the feeling of i'll get there.

 

[dirtdiver]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Did you name it yet?

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

First I'd like to say I feel your pain. Dealing with boat problems can turn a normal person into a wanna-be serial killer! Ha. I did like your humor about the winterizing....If the long-block came from a factory authorized dealer I'm thinking it should have a serial # or some other type of identification. That would let you know if you got the 350 mag that you paid for. Secondly, the dealer will want to protect his reputation and I believe he will do everything to make the situation right. If that doesn't happen perhaps a call to Mercury might get things moving in the right direction. The squeeky wheel gets the grease, but if the squeek is irritating it might not get the best grease, just enough to quiet it down. Sounds like your doing things the right way and yes you're not alone. Make a list of things for the dealer to correct or check and compare notes when you go back to pick the boat up. Just telling them what you want and not writing it down can result in things being overlooked or forgotten .Best of luck to you.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Did you name it yet?

A good name right now would be .....

The Money Pit . .


Sorry msojjo, I couldn't help myself on that one. .

 

[msojjo]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

A good name right now would be .....

The Money Pit . .


Sorry msojjo, I couldn't help myself on that one. .

thanks alot, see it's good to talk to others who have a sense of humor. Actually i have three small boys, and one more on the way, i was thinking Nauti Buoys. My wife isn't so keen on that one for the fact of me being out with my buddies and not living the single life anymore.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

i was thinking Nauti Buoys. My wife isn't so keen on that one for the fact of me being out with my buddies and not living the single life anymore.

Tell the Admiral that you're going to call the boat ....

The Other Woman. , Since you can't use Nauti Buoys

 

[msojjo]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

i'm guessing that if i tell her that i'll be living in half of the "Other Woman" because she'll be kicking me out and taking her half.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Any marine mechanic worth his salt (ba dum bum) will go on a test run to see what the problem is. Could be as simple as adjusting the timing on the fly or putting those 2 crossed spark plug wires back in the right spots. Go for a ride, hand him a beer and see what he thinks. Heck, you might even make a friend out of it (good contact at least).

As far as the boat names...if I see one more Nauti-(whatever) or Aqua-(whoever) or Bouy-(whenever), it'll be too soon. Come up with something original. Four boys and the two of you, too? Here's one that will make sense on 2 levels: Six-pack.

 

[msojjo]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

Any marine mechanic worth his salt (ba dum bum) will go on a test run to see what the problem is. Could be as simple as adjusting the timing on the fly or putting those 2 crossed spark plug wires back in the right spots. Go for a ride, hand him a beer and see what he thinks. Heck, you might even make a friend out of it (good contact at least).

As far as the boat names...if I see one more Nauti-(whatever) or Aqua-(whoever) or Bouy-(whenever), it'll be too soon. Come up with something original. Four boys and the two of you, too? Here's one that will make sense on 2 levels: Six-pack.

I did talk to the dealer today, he said that he took it out for a test run and it ran great, so basically, from the time that i picked it up and it sat in my garage and i used it something must have gone wrong. Thanks. I was told the timing is all electronic, and i'm hoping crossed plug wires, or i'll even hope for a injector, but a computer is not on my list of things i want to replace, what do thoes go for 4 - 5 hundred bucks. As far as a name i'll have to keep working on it i guess.

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

deep breath, find a fax machine, printer, something you don't use and go office space it.

Then think, next year this time my boat will be in perfect shape after these issues are resolved.

Continue to take junk that you can destroy from neighbors and friends until boat is in proper working condition

 

[njrextreme]

Re: When do you say enough is enough

The boaters blues! It happens to alot of boaters. You sound like your close to fixing it all. Give it some time and do alot of research on here. They will get you fixed up before you know it.