Hookedline&sinker wrote: Searched for a good mechanic and find one with some good reviews (in these forums). 20mins away not exactly close but happy if good work). Put boat in for pre-Xmas repair and maintenance. Spent $1k on other work e.g. steering and some basic motor work. Says it's ok for 12 months until service. First trip to take family out. Boat idles ok but stalls when any throttle applied. From ramp back to mechanic. Nothing not even an apology. Am sure the mechanic doesn't want to see me again as much as I don't want to see him but a little customer service never goes astray. A week later pick it up again add $400 for full service. Mechanic suggests may need a good run to flash carbs although have been cleaned. Two trips out and back, no issues. I tend to travel about 20-30min trips one way from marina. Third session last week, motor stalls after power applied. Happens several times. After running with choke, motor gets going. Out and back ok. This week try to take family out. Boat stalls after going from marina speed to higher power. Get towed back from just outside marina by kind fellow boatie. Pls note idles fine. could idle all day. We are now one from three successful family trips. Wife wondering what we spent all the money on and so am I. This has now stuffed key part of holiday as mechanic closed and leaving to go away for two weeks. We do a four hour drive to get away. Not taking the boat as feels like waste of time. Not willing to launch where even less boaties around to help if in trouble. Am coastguard member. Closest mechanic 1.5 hours away (one way). Which means paying for ferries and no boat fishing. Feeling pretty jaded. How do I get this thing fixed? So it works right with confidense? I have no experience with boat motors but happy to try suggestions and even Googled. Given work done feels like fuel starvation but not sure how to fix. At what point do you cut losses and try a new mechanic? Seems to know what he is doing and am sure has plenty of other satisfied customers. Maybe just not the right boat mechanic combo? (Pls note am not interested in naming and shaming - not the purpose of this post). When should I stop paying and the mechanic cover the work until it is done right? In retail you get a free replacement if any item is faulty. Am not keen to replace boat. Don't want anyone else to get these hassles and also way less expensive to fix.Although am questioing what price lost time and effort? |
smudge wrote: The first thing I would change is the fuel line and primer bulb. Not saying it is that but it is an easy thing to eliminate |
Joker wrote:
I agree with Smudge the fuel line and primer bulb has been the cause of too many fuel delivery problems in the past. |
Hookedline&sinker wrote: Thanks for following up @Smudge and sorry all for tardy reply to all. Have been away off the grid with sporadic reception and then working to get this addressed and then partly trying to forget that there were some magical glassy days where we were with other boaties out.. In terms of an update...spoke to the business owner mechanic and voiced concerns. This was a good step as gave opportunity for response. Took the boat in - mentioned suggestions above with some of the responses i recall - condenser - there isnt one, fuel lines/filter - fine/look new ). After investigation they identified dirty plugs which were replaced at no cost. I did ask why this wasn't picked up at the original reviews. Suggested i use 91 instead of 95/98 as potential cause of fouling (which tbh i was using as thought it was supposed to be cleaner fuel). They ran the boat in the water to confirm fixed with no concerns (noting used own tank, lines and bulb). I mentioned the bulb not filling when i went to pick up and this was replaced on the spot. Apparently you should hold it vertical to use - who new?!). Plan to take the boat out tomorrow and provide a further update after then. Another key tip i have noted is to run the fuel out (disconnect tank) which reduces chances of carbs fouling as well. Although only need to worry over longer period >1month i am now super wary. Just wanted to say thanks again all for your suggestions and thoughts on this issue. Hope this is the end for a while. Update to come. |
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