Pulled th' boat today!
Don't know if anyones interested, but I've pulled the boat today (onto it's trailer) and am going to do a couple 500 hrs services on a pair of Honda 115Hp 4 Strokes in comming days!
These will include replacing the old impellers with new impellers!
If anyones interested I could probably photograph the essential stages and post up a step by step 'how to' thread - for anyone wants to do their own servicing / maintenance on their 4 strokes OB's?
I shudder to think what this would cost in a boat shop - but just the parts (filters etc) and oil alone for 2 x 115 Honda's was about $550.00
Add in the numbers of hours for each engine @ $60 or $70 / hours and I'm guessing the bill would probably get no change from $1200 or so!
So - anyone wants to save emselves a quid (and waiting in line without your boat till your yard can find time to get around to it) then maybe watch this space! ;o)
I don't claim to be any sorta mechanic, but I have me a ball pein hammer and a monkey wrench so I'm good to go, right? ;o)
Hey - maybe you'll get to see some one screw up $40k's worth a perfectly good engines - that alone should be worth the price of admission! ;o)
Cheers!
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15610
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Nice one
Definately keen to see a bit of a how to Flywest. If you could take a few happy snaps and let us know whats going on that would be awesome. Can't say I'm overly knowledgeable about outboards, but keen to take onboard a few tips n techniques. Fire away, oh, and I hope everything goes sweetly, atleast you'll have the photos to fall back just incase you forget where something goes. lol.. :)
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mitch
Posts: 1285
Date Joined: 14/08/05
impeller
yeah ide be keen to see the honda impeller pics .biggest impeller job ive done is a 25 hp merc. so would be interesting to see a bigger donk with the leg hanging off
always in it just the depth that varies
scuttlebutt
Posts: 446
Date Joined: 24/03/06
look forward to it. Your
look forward to it. Your estimate sounds pretty close - last time I got my 90hp 4stroke Mariner serviced cost me $460 and that was just standard stuff.
cheers,
steve
Andy
Posts: 522
Date Joined: 08/10/05
servicing
I am an outboard mechanic. Basic 4 stroke servicing is resonably easy. oils, filter, plugs, gear oil. When you start taking down legs and servicing water pumps it can be a very expensive if you make a mistake or leave something out. For example forgeting to put an impeller key in could cost upwards of $2000 if it cooks. If anyone is considering servicing their own outboard and is not 100% leave it to a mechanic. Outboards can get pretty complex, we dont do a 4 year apprentiship for nothing. $1200 probably sounds a bit steep, We would charge approx $400 a motor.
Fly
Posts: 485
Date Joined: 04/02/06
Cost?
Usually not just cost is the consideration - it's waiting in line.
Specially for pro's - your livelihood is your boat, you need it to go to work - you do NOT 'leave it at a yard until they have time to get around to it' (yeah after all the recreational ones are done first!)
You see - often such places have no idea of what their custmers real needs might be!
Imagine your a tyre changer, who gets paid per wheel & I am going to repair / service your rattle gun...
Your not getting paid while I fix someone elses hobby rattle gun or stuff round with the wrong parts and delays from the delivery guy etc etc etc...
So it is with pro's. Thats why most do their own servicing!
Most pro's are qualifed, in that they have to be, to get their skippers ticket. They know enough to get by with regular servicing...it isn't exactly rocket science - in fact it should be an annual thing to replace impellers, moreso for pros who do lots of hours - yet we see yards selling SOME OB's claiming no servicing needed for 300 hours?????
For some recreational boats that could be 5 or 6 years "normal use"!!!!
IMHO - thats too long...and just another reason some boaters have little faith in boat yards to do servicing!
Sure, if it's something beyind the average guy in the street, then leave it to the experts...but regular servicing (in which I include changing an impeller) is something every boater IMHO should be able to do!
You know - when my son did his vocational marine course at Busselton Senior high school - he replaced two impeelers...now if kids can do them - we can't in all seriousness suggest an average boater cannot!
Changing plugs and oil and filters etc does not require a 4 year apprenticeship, I'm sorry, it's gravy for boatyards that kinda work...which of course they love and have a vested interest in maintaining!
Reality is, most guys with a few basioc tools and a bit of savvy can do it!
What really bugs boat yard mechanics, is when someone brings in their 1959 Johnston thats "acting up"...and want it repaired...everythings corroded to buggery - bolts snap off, there are no spare parts available etc etc...the mechanical cost alone is worth more than the entire OB..
These are the ones mechanics inavariably end up with...and it is understandeable that your average guy in the street might have trouble with something like this!
Best thing you can do is sell them something new and reliable!
Next you'll be suggesting to us, not to service our own vehicles!
Hey look at it this way - if enough of us bugger it up - you'll be in full time employement fixing our goofups! ;o)
Cheers!
mitch
Posts: 1285
Date Joined: 14/08/05
service
ive got to agree with ya flywest .general servising and impellers and things like that on OB iwill tackle myself .it helps just in the knowlege you gain to be a bit more aware on how the whole thing works and can save you some bucks as well . i also found with my old boat with a 4stroke i was serviceing it more i.e changing oil and filters closer to 25to30 hrs same with the leg oil.mined you it was only a 40 horse so didnt take much oil so the expense was minimal .BUT if i was to get serviced bye a dealer it would of run into the hundreds im sure
always in it just the depth that varies