$532 For Motor Service Reasonable?

[Bassn Blvd]

I had my motor serviced today and the bill was $532.54. I don't believe the mechanic installed any unecessary parts, but question the prices for parts.

My motor is a 2006 Mercury Optimax 90hp. I had it serviced at 20 hours, 100 hours and now at 168 hours.

Here is what they did and prices.

3 spark plugs @ $64.50. $20 for a spark plug seem high.

Filter @ $39.92. I assume fuel filter.

Water pump @ $42.08

Ger Lube @ $15.00

Belt @ $55.90. I kept old belt, which looks fine to me, but I'm not a mechanic. Was told if belt goes, then it would foul out plugs and a new service would be required, so be cautious and replace the belt.

Total parts $217

Labor $285

Tax $30

Questions;

Is labor usualy taxed?

Does the price seem high for the service/parts?

Is their a standard "book" fee for hourly rate? If work was done in two hours, but book says standard is four hours then would they charge me for the four hours?

How difficult is it do do this task on own, providing I'm not a total non-do it yourselfer, haha.

The company who did the service is a certified Mercury mechanic and seems to do alot of business. He is friendly and seems to know what he's talking about, but he coulda said run strawberry juice through the motor and I would have to believe him, almost.

I don't mind paying the $500, as long as it's in the ballpark for this type service.

Thanks for the help.

[Shane Procell]

Not too sure about that bill. I know the shops have alot of overhead. I would not expect to pay more than $100 per hour. But if any of you need service work in South Florida, I highly recommend Don's Moblile Marine. He has a shop in Pompano as well. He is totally fair and sells parts at cost. I have had him rebuild a 50 hp Merc for $600 plus parts. He also changed out my power pack for less than $200 plus parts. His number is 954-245-8419.

[jrsmith_80]

Spark plugs- way to high in my opinion and a simple change for a do it your self person

Fuel Filter- that's a not a bad price an it's a fairly simple fix for a do it your self person

Water Pump- from what I've priced that seems about right. It's a little more complicated fix but the do it your selfer can do it if you want.

Gear lube- decent price and an easy fix

Belt- not sure what belt you had replaced so I really can't comment.

With all that being said, you also need to remember that all of the parts were probably OEM Mercury parts which run high(all factory parts are higher priced).

I would say the price charged is a fair price but you could probably save yourself quite a bit of money doing things yourself with manual.

[Bassn Blvd]

Shane- thanks for the contact. Do you know if he's near central Palm Beach?

JrSmith- Thanks for replying. I think I'll have one of those mobile mechanics come over to my house and service it next time. That way I can watch and learn. I can't imagine it being too difficult.

For now, at least I have peace of mind knowing it was done right. Even if it cost an extra 30-40 bucks.

[slonezp]

You're fortunate there are no shop, rag disposal, or enviromental fees. I think I spend about $250 out the door every spring for plugs, fuel filter, gear lube, and engine treatment. Don't know if that's high or low.I've used this shop for 13 yers or so I do know can trust their work. I've had emergencys before tourneys where they will drop everything to get me going. Had a power loss issue on the water with the TM. Turned out to be a bad battery. He said $140. I'll put it in right now. I said I can get a battery for under a hundred bucks. He said $99 and handed me a wrench. If you can trust their work and depend on them in a pinch, paying a little extra may be worth it. I've heard too many stories about guys drop off their rigs and they are gone for weeks with nothing getting done.

[Shane Procell]

Shane- thanks for the contact. Do you know if he's near central Palm Beach?

JrSmith- Thanks for replying. I think I'll have one of those mobile mechanics come over to my house and service it next time. That way I can watch and learn. I can't imagine it being too difficult.

For now, at least I have peace of mind knowing it was done right. Even if it cost an extra 30-40 bucks.

His shop is located in Pompano just off U.S.1. He is also mobile and like I said before.....extremely fair. He dropped everything and met me on the water once when I was broke down within an hour.

[TRYTOFISH]

optimax plugs are pretty high. talked to a couple different mechanics and they say that they have aridium or some high dollar metal in them. have replaced them my self and the cheapest ones i could find anywhere was $18 bucks. and that was 2 yrs. ago. mechanic told me they hardly ever go bad just clean them and put back in.

[Siebert Outdoors]

The plugs for my boat are about 15 ea and I install them.

Tax should not be on labor. That might depend on state though.

I had to have my boats computer rebuilt and a new starter and a couple other things. 3k later I was poor. Most shops around here are 99-101 dollars an hr from the few I called.

[Fontana Finesse Man]

Had mine serviced about the same day as you and my bill was $518. Had new plugs (cost about same as yours) new foot oil, no belt or pump, but had some other things fixed. Mechanic worked on it while I waited all told about 4 hours. He was upfront and told me that the plugs were expensive. Price was about what I had budgeted for it.

Good thing is it doesn't have to go back for another 100 hours hopefully and then it will include a pump.

[salmicropterus]

$18-20 is the price for Optimax plugs-you can't substitute out cheaper plugs. The belt I assume is for the compressor. If it breaks, you'll shut down but that said, it's not a usual replacement unless appears brittle or damaged. You should, especially in Florida (grass and grit), have had the thermostats checked and replaced if necessary. In Florida, labor is taxed if there is any parts install component to the bill, even if the customer supplies the parts.

[Bassn Blvd]

Thanks for all the replies. It appears what I was charged is somewhat reasonable for shop work.

[Basscat7]

Fairly reasonable price.......most shop labor is billed around $ 80.00 per hour.

THhe belt was the compressor belt on the Opti. That goes out and you an develop major problems quick.

[Bassn Blvd]

Fairly reasonable price.......most shop labor is billed around $ 80.00 per hour.

THhe belt was the compressor belt on the Opti. That goes out and you an develop major problems quick.

I don't remember what belt was replaced, but he said the same thing. That is why he replaced, just to be on the safe side.