Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

[Doc_Vegas]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

Here is the only picture I have BEFORE I took possession. This was directly from the dealer's web site.

 

[Doc_Vegas]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

This one may be better - zoomed a bit with better resolution.

 

[torcano]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

From the picture that you posted the bilge looks dirty but relatively dry. If so, it suggests that the water/oil in the bilge is a recent occurence. I am assuming that the pictures were taken recently while the boat was in the water. If you didn't take the picture, you should be able to read the date from the digital photo. If it was taken while on land, then the photo is of no value. You should be able to identify the location of the power steering resevoir from your Mercruiser manual. You can/should unscrew the cap and check the level. There is a small dipstick attached to the cap. I would check your oil level as well. There is a dip stick just like a car. I would also check the level of the gearlube in your resevoir. Finally, I would check the level of fluid in your power trim resevoir. I have a a different size engine but I am pretty sure you should be able to read the sterndrive fluid level by just looking at the resevoir. If it is filled with Quicksilver High Performance gear lube, it will look bluish in color.
$420 for a complete detail of the boat sounds right for its size. The other charges don't seem that far off at least for east coast standards.
On a positive note you describe the engine as being able to attain proper RPM at WOT and you stated that it is handling well. I assume your guages have been indicating normal oil pressure and temperature. I would not take it out again until you are certain that you have operating fluid levels for all these areas.
As far as the seller having the boat surveyed, I wouldn't place much value in that unless you were given a copy of a signed survey report from a certified marine surveyor. Hopefully, there will be a simple explanation and fix to your problem. Perhaps just a loose bolt or clamp. Even if you had to replace the power steering pump, that shouldn't be too bad.
Let us know what they find.
Good luck,
RK

 

[torcano]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

I just re-looked at your engine photo. It looks like the power steering pump is just forward (towards the bow) to your white oil filter and down lower. There is also a resevoir just aft of the white oil filter. It looks like the sterndrive gearlube resevoir form the photo.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

Just a side note - your bilge blower needs an intake hose that reaches a little deeper.

 

[nlain]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

I just re-looked at your engine photo. It looks like the power steering pump is just forward (towards the bow) to your white oil filter and down lower. There is also a resevoir just aft of the white oil filter. It looks like the sterndrive gearlube resevoir form the photo.

I agree with the items and locations given. There may not be warranty since it is a used boat but the dealer should make it right, especially since it is happening so quick.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

It is too late for this to help you, but maybe it will help someone else. AN INSPECTION BY THE DEALER IS NOT THE SAME AS A MARINE SURVEY!!!!!!
There is no written procedure for inspecting a boat like there is for inspecting a car in most states. If a car has been "inspected" in states that have an inspection process, you know EXACTLY what has been checked and can find out what was needed for the vehicle to pass inspection. Since there is no generally accepted procedure for "inspecting" a boat it can mean anything from a thorough survey, to sending the least qualified person in the dealership out to make sure there are no big holes in the hull! At this point you need someone qualified to determine two things.
1. Where did the water in the bilge come from.
2. Where did the oil in the bilge come from.

Once that is determined the need for and extent of repairs may be determined.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

When you get a complete detail done on a boat would you expect them to clean the engine compartment as well? Same thing with a compression test, where are the results? The boat was completely checked out before you bought it and they never noticed a bilge full of water and oil? You spent good money on the boat and service,I would expect better service.

 

[lkbum]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

Hey doc,
what became of this issue?? Just curious....

 

[Bondo]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

$420 was for a complete detail. The dealer actually suggested I skip it, but I insisted. In retrospect, it was a waste.

Ayuh,....

That's where you got Screwed....
They should have Degreased the bilge, while it was on the rack.....

Can someone explain the power steering??? Where would the pump be located and could I look for a leak?

The P/Steering consists of the Pump, mounted on the portside, forward corner of the motor,...
The Lines, 1 Hi-pressure that runs down, over,+ aft, to the P/S actuator mounted to the transom,...
And, the Return line which runs down, over to the Oil Cooler,+ then back up to the Pump....

It could be leaking Anywhere, in Any of those parts...
But,... I'd suspect the Lines, or the Cooler, especially if the boat is exposed to Freezing Temps....

Whether you can Find the leak, depends on how much of the boat you're willing to Remove,.....
And,.. Just how Limber, or double-jointed you are....

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

To clean you bilge go to an auto supply store and get your self some oil spill mats (cheep like 5 cents a mat). They will only soak up the oil and no water. Work fantastic. Then you can get rid of the water. In our crew boats we line the engine compartments just in case of a spill. The best part is thay will show you were the oil leek is with out the mess. Hope this helps.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

doc; where are you sliped at on mead??
i have a slip on A dock at lake mead marina.

i priced a complete wax and buff and they were talking around $250 in slip so i took a pass and did it my self. $450 sounds about right for a full detail
did you have your work done there at the marina?
if you did, you have to rember, no one commercial turns a tap in the park with out a concession. =$$$ every one gets a cut

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

I say give the dealer a chance to make it right.

If he cares about his customers he will.

Me i would double check what my workers do, and make sure everything is ok cause it's his name on the building.

So lets see what the owner says.

 

[Doc_Vegas]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

Hey Guys:

Sorry for the belated response! I have been running wild since Christmas and have only been home a week. I am typing this message from Boulder Canyon on Lake Mead... just sitting, sipping a beer, and enjoying the sunset

Well, here is the report. The dealer's mechanic looked at it and said it is leaking oil from the valve cover. I have not gotten deep enough into it to verify. He claims it only has 1/2 quart too much oil in it, but I am sure it was least a quart too much when I first checked.

The gave me two choices on the solution. 1) I pay around $350-400 and they would replace the gasket or 2) they would try to tighten down the valve cover and see if it stops leaking.

I appreciate the comments on the power steering, I mentioned that but they did not seem to believe that is the problem. That said, I do not trust them completely at this point, so who knows. There is still the unanswered question of why the power steering leak can was on board.

For now, I am just enjoying it when I can and waiting for more word from their mechanic - who seems to work at his own pace!

Thanks Again, Doc

 

[Doc_Vegas]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

doc; where are you sliped at on mead??
i have a slip on A dock at lake mead marina.

i priced a complete wax and buff and they were talking around $250 in slip so i took a pass and did it my self. $450 sounds about right for a full detail
did you have your work done there at the marina?
if you did, you have to rember, no one commercial turns a tap in the park with out a concession. =$$$ every one gets a cut

Hey, we are close! I am on Lake Mead Marina as well - B dock near the marina. PM me when you are out at the Lake and we can get together. I live in Boulder City, so it is a close run for me.

Cheers!

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

Hey Guys:

Sorry for the belated response! I have been running wild since Christmas and have only been home a week. I am typing this message from Boulder Canyon on Lake Mead... just sitting, sipping a beer, and enjoying the sunset

Well, here is the report. The dealer's mechanic looked at it and said it is leaking oil from the valve cover. I have not gotten deep enough into it to verify. He claims it only has 1/2 quart too much oil in it, but I am sure it was least a quart too much when I first checked.

The gave me two choices on the solution. 1) I pay around $350-400 and they would replace the gasket or 2) they would try to tighten down the valve cover and see if it stops leaking.

I appreciate the comments on the power steering, I mentioned that but they did not seem to believe that is the problem. That said, I do not trust them completely at this point, so who knows. There is still the unanswered question of why the power steering leak can was on board.

For now, I am just enjoying it when I can and waiting for more word from their mechanic - who seems to work at his own pace!

Thanks Again, Doc

Valve cover gaskets are dirt cheap, and easy to replace...check another dealer. Overtightening them does nothing, they have torque spec's for a reason. They'll just crush the gasket and make the leak worse...if that is in fact where the leak is. Best of luck...

Ian

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

Thats a real piece of s--t business owner. Stupid also. How they stay in business i'll never know.

You don't see oil leaking down the sides of the valve cover ?

Maybe just a 1/2 inch turn of the screws will fix it if that is the problem.

But over filling the oil no excuse for that. I would write him a letter be nice but be firm. Have it delivered where he has to sign for it. And make sure you state at the end all communications must be in writing, give him 2 weeks in the letter to respond.

Tell him also in the letter that if the issues are not resolved, to your satisfaction that you will take legal action.

See what he does after that ? Wait 2 weeks no response, file in small claims court, that will light a fire under his behind.

But after you file, don't let him touch the boat tell him you want a certified mech from another dealership to fix it and then he should pay that guy.

He will pay less than you, and never let this guy ever touch your boat again.
Ether way your out the money cause you agreed to pay him that money.

The time to argue about the bill was when you paid him.

Here is a example, you bring the car to a dealership for a oil change, they discover, a leak in your oil pan,they should call you and have you ok the fix, can't just put a new oil pan in and say pay me.

Alot of dealerships have you come in and put your initials next to the work order sheet before doing work not covered on the original work order.

Good luck !

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

I took a ride in a buddies new to him boat with the same 7.4L engine, right away I could smell oil burning, a quick inspection showed the valve covers leaking oil onto the exhaust manifolds. We stopped at the auto parts place on the way home, he bought a pair of the two best quality Fel-Pro valve cover gaskets they had, (About $40), and we brought the boat back, pulled it in his garage, (Cold outside), and it took me about 40 minutes to replace both valve cover gaskets taking my time.
I removed the two plastic covers, only a few screws right on top, then the Valve Covers are in plain view. The lower screws are a bit tight but I had a small 1/4" drive swivel socket in hand that worked well on an extension.

So having done this, and seeing the dealers price to change two gaskets, then I take it he's charging about $310 per hour or so? To fix a boat his mechanics supposedly checked out prior to your buying it?

As far as the boat, fix it yourself, he more than likely can't be trusted to do an honest repair.

You could sue him in small claims court for the repair but is it worth all the time and hassles for a few hundred dollars?
I agree it may be the principle of the whole idea but probably more aggravation than it's worth.
My concern would be are there any other issues with the boat they missed at this point.

I've seen some pretty unscrupulous boat shops out there, the good ones are few and far apart.

Years ago in on a larger boat I had with twin inboards, I had one shaft seal leaking and it needed to come out of the water for the fix. The nearest marina told me $700 to pull the boat, $125 per hour for the fix. A 15 minute run up the river got it done for $125 complete and the guy did it immediately and had all the parts on hand. Didn't charge me anything for hoisting the boat or any hourly rate, he had the right tools, knew what had to be done and just did it. No hassles.
It was cheaper than me having the boat pulled, having to trailer it home, and spend an afternoon fixing it myself and then I'd had to pay to put her back in and hope it didn't leak.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

Reel post the name of the guy who fixed it so if someone else needs a good shop they will know where to go.

 

[KLINDWW]

Re: Would this bother you??? Worry or Not???

OK, I got to put my two cents in even though chiefalan put it about as well as anyone could. What a piece of s?t business owner. There are good business out there and there are some that just care about that first time customer. Get your money and run or in this case get your money and then want some more. I don?t know how the first time boat owners always seem to pick the bad ones. I know I did. I guess it is all of part the learning curve. If this guy was worth a s?t he would offer to change those gaskets out for free or at least just for the price of the gaskets, not try to charge you another 300-400 dollars. Quick story about a good business that wants repeat customers. Friend of mine had his outdrive rebuilt, while it in at the shop he has the prop sent out to an outside prop shop. This repair shop was a pick up point for the prop shop anyway. We he got the boat back, we were out fishing and the prop spun the hub. We limped back to the closest marina and my buddy called the owner of the repair shop. He asked where we were at and then sent his son out with a brand new prop and installed it on the boat, took the old prop and didn?t charge a dime and he wasn?t even the shop that rebuilt the prop. Guess where I started having my work done? Run from this guy, tell all you friends, put a posting on Craig?s List about him, put in a complaint with the BBB, I?m not sure if you can post his name here or not, but people need to be warned about business owners like him. These kind of people need to be put out of business and the only way to do it is to get their name out there along with the bad experiences that people have.

Sorry, got a little wordy there, just hit a nerve!