Mercury Tune Up?

[blackmax135]

I'm taking my 94 mercury black max 135 to get worked on because the temp sensor constantly stays on and will not go off.  So i was wanting to get a tuneup while I was there. because the nearest mechanic is an hour away and I want to get everything done at once.  When I take it I want to make sure this mechanic is doing everything he should be doing. What Kinds of question should I ask?  He is saying its going to be almost $400 dollars.  That seem fair?

Thanks BlackMax

[WRB]

Depends on what is causing the alarm sensor to activate.

This vintage engine could be a oil/gas mix or oil injection, I believe the mix gas is safer regarding burning too lean damaging cylinders/piston. It's not difficult to test a sensor, change the water pump impeller, install a water pressure gauge (recommended) . If the mechanic is rebuilding the power head, $400 is OK, if not it's way to high. 

Tom

[Nitrofreak]

The first question I would have is exactly what work is performed for that 400 bucks, it take little to no time at all to properly install a set of plugs and a fuel filter, if that's all it consists of then that's way to much, they may add into the list that there are numerous checks which makes it sound as if they are doing an awful lot of work when in fact 98% those checks are something even the most mechanically handicapped can perform themselves, if their list of parts to be replaced is larger than the checks they perform it could be a good enough deal, every business is in business to make a profit, some are in business to make a killing.

[blackmax135]

18 hours ago, Nitrofreak said:

The first question I would have is exactly what work is performed for that 400 bucks, it take little to no time at all to properly install a set of plugs and a fuel filter, if that's all it consists of then that's way to much, they may add into the list that there are numerous checks which makes it sound as if they are doing an awful lot of work when in fact 98% those checks are something even the most mechanically handicapped can perform themselves, if their list of parts to be replaced is larger than the checks they perform it could be a good enough deal, every business is in business to make a profit, some are in business to make a killing.

Yea I sure hope they aren't thinking that they are just replacing plugs and filters.  I already did that, that's easy stuff.  What would you consider a tune up and what should I expect? My motor needs some loving and I have never never been to much into knowing about motors so I'm learning.  I'm a nervous person and this boat is my baby and I'm worried. 

Thanks

[slonezp]

$400 for a tune up is a lot. I think I pay $250 for a tune up with winterization, plus the cost of the NGK iridium spark plugs which ain't cheap. Includes gear lube, fuel additives, fuel filter, grease the shaft and whatever else the ProXS maintenance requires. I used to do the work on my old ELPTO myself, and still do it on my 15hp Evinrude, but those motors are dinosaurs compared to this one  I'd sure hate to make a $15k mistake

[Nitrofreak]

5 hours ago, blackmax135 said:

Yea I sure hope they aren't thinking that they are just replacing plugs and filters.  I already did that, that's easy stuff.  What would you consider a tune up and what should I expect? My motor needs some loving and I have never never been to much into knowing about motors so I'm learning.  I'm a nervous person and this boat is my baby and I'm worried. 

Thanks

I don't do it that way, I have seasonal services like a winter service which includes everything from bow to prop including the care of the trailer, that includes wash and wax, that's what you would get for 400 bucks with me, depending on the size of the craft.

I usually address my customers concerns with a diag that includes parts pricing outside of any service, it's to the point and very clear what your getting.

 

 

 

[WRB]

You started out asking about alarm constantly going off, that needs to be resolved before you continue to operate the engine or you could be looking at rebuilding the power head.

Tunning starts with cleaning the fuel injectors or carbs, whichever one you have. Fuel additives help, but ultra sonic cleaning is needed periodically, you engine is 22 years old!

If the engine is hard starting, rough running and not damaged by over heating, your power packs may also need to be changed, if you have new spark plugs and cleaned the injectors/carbs. Older engines have older wiring, fuel lines, oil lines, etc, etc.

Get a itemized quote before spending your money.

Tom

[blackmax135]

On ‎2‎/‎11‎/‎2016 at 6:01 PM, Nitrofreak said:

I don't do it that way, I have seasonal services like a winter service which includes everything from bow to prop including the care of the trailer, that includes wash and wax, that's what you would get for 400 bucks with me, depending on the size of the craft.

I usually address my customers concerns with a diag that includes parts pricing outside of any service, it's to the point and very clear what your getting.

 

 

 

Well I got my boat done.  Took them 2 days.  The reason for the horn going off was that whoever removed the oil reservoir did not remove it properly and it caused an error.  The total price ended up being $499.  That's with replacing fuel lines, water lines, fuel pump, water pump, changing lower unit oil, spark plugs, and something else that's not major.  This sound right?

[ww2farmer]

1 hour ago, blackmax135 said:

Well I got my boat done.  Took them 2 days.  The reason for the horn going off was that whoever removed the oil reservoir did not remove it properly and it caused an error.  The total price ended up being $499.  That's with replacing fuel lines, water lines, fuel pump, water pump, changing lower unit oil, spark plugs, and something else that's not major.  This sound right?

Thats not too bad..................I have my water pump done every 3 years, and the last time, 2 years ago, the bill for that alone was $300...........at the same time it was in for the water pump, I had a new control box (throttle and shift lever, kill switch, trim switch) installed because I fell in the boat on the original one and broke it, plus while they had it apart, I had them put new shift and throttle cables on it too, and had both my props sent out for rebuild...........my entire bill was almost $1000.

At those prices, I do my own tune-ups and minor service/repair work, like plug changes, fuel filter changes, oil and filter changes ( I have a 4 stroke) , winterizing, and lower unit oil changes. The only major repair I ever tackled myself was the water jacket gasket and cover. It started leaking 2 years from being new, and was under warranty, I had them do it, but their turn around time was awfully slow for my liking, and they didn't torque down the cover to the jacket properly and warped it. I made them pay for a new jacket cover and gasket, and installed it right myself, and it hasn't leaked a drop since. There are a couple mechanics at this Marina, and I now request one guy, as I don't trust the others. 

[Nitrofreak]

2 hours ago, blackmax135 said:

Well I got my boat done.  Took them 2 days.  The reason for the horn going off was that whoever removed the oil reservoir did not remove it properly and it caused an error.  The total price ended up being $499.  That's with replacing fuel lines, water lines, fuel pump, water pump, changing lower unit oil, spark plugs, and something else that's not major.  This sound right?

I'm with Farmer, that's not too bad at all, most of the shops around my area here are at or over $100 per hour, sounds like yours is not far off from that, Way2slow gave me some good advice on my engine issue and I found out about what it takes to properly remove my oil injection and the problems I could have if I didn't follow through, sounds like you have a decent shop, hope all goes well for you !!!

Good luck and be safe !!!

[BaitMonkey1984]

Someone else recently I have a 2001 Ranger R81vs with 150HP Yamaha 2 -stoke. It was cherries by its original owner and has been cherries by me for the past 5 years. My marina charges $90.00 per hour in labor. I don want to lose any time here in the summer , because we already have short seasons so I am very good with routine and preventive maintenance. I was unaware of the last time the boat was tuned up so after year 3 of owning the boat, and not having a single issue with the boat I had a full tune up. If memory serves me correctly it was about $300.00. That was money well spent for me. 

 

For you, I think it is money well spent. Now you know it had a thorough tune up. Keep a log of all repairs and maintenance, so that as the years come and go you will know what routine and preventive maintenance needs to be done. 

[slonezp]

Here's my take on paying a mechanic. I have used the same mechanic for almost 20 years for annual maintenance. My son had his first job at 16 working in the marina. I never complain or question any of the repairs or charges as I believe them to be fair. I think during that time there have been a few minor repairs that needed to be done. They were always at the most inopportune moment like the day before a tourney or a vacation. I can call them in the spring when they are backed up for weeks with work and have my boat worked on the same day if needed or within 24 hours. This past August there was a charity tourney on the lake and Iconelli was there with Zona and Dave Mercer. My son wanted to fish the tourney but I couldn't see paying a $2500 entry fee, charity or no charity. He did however call and they let him work security and meet the fishermen. Can't put a price on that. 

[Weightless Lizard]

Nice!  Those guys are great!

[Slade House]

sounds like you got a great bargain there chief. Mercury has this thing with the low oil sensor , mine did the same thing, and i just disconnected it.