I failed at DIY Boat Maint

LmannyR said:
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If you decide to tackle the bellows yourself, do at the end of the day. The Florida heat IS brutal. Pace yourself and as JG3000DA said, one project at a time. Good luck!
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Who said that:huh:
 
Morpheus, look at it this way: You didn't actually fail; you were successful in finding one way of doing things that doesn't work. :grin:

Seriously, don't give up. Try to plan ahead next time and ask more questions before you get going.

The "mentor" idea is a great one. The more boating you do, the more likely you are to find someone to help. Usually, boaters are more than happy to help - although sometimes you have to buy them a beer or two, though. :wink:
 
Well it's at MM now and my quote is aprx $1000 (plus the $391 I already spent on parts) :smt089

Anyways anyone that lives near me that has a Bravo III and a MPI 5.0 that's want's to show me I'm all for it. I'll even do it for you as long as you tell me what to do and I'll buy the beer (Even though I don't drink beer)
 
That's my FL dealer and home port. Palm Island Marina and MarineMax. I just left there on Thursday.

Are you working with Mike or Lori in service?

They've been good to me at that spot. Was a former Gulf Wind marine location before the buyout.
 
ChuckW said:
That's my FL dealer and home port. Palm Island Marina and MarineMax. I just left there on Thursday.

Are you working with Mike or Lori in service?

They've been good to me at that spot. Was a former Gulf Wind marine location before the buyout.
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Lori sent the quote but I've only spoken to her once on the phone I've been working with Pete Rose mostly, don't think I've ever met or talked to Mike.

Yes so far Cape Haze Marine Max has done a better job then Clearwater but this will be their big test. Clearwater MM said my bildge blower was not under warranty (I paid for extended warranty) but Cape HAze said it was, this was last year. I came by water (went aground first time) and had lunch at the resturant there while they changed it out. Although they don't have alot of room it was nice to not have any trouble (other then grounding) Anyone that goes by water the entrance is marked by channel markers on the north end of the property so when your coming from the south and there is only the one channel marker on the port side and nothing to starboard doesn't mean there is deep ater to starboard
 
Morpheus said:
Lori sent the quote but I've only spoken to her once on the phone I've been working with Pete Rose mostly, don't think I've ever met or talked to Mike.

Yes so far Cape Haze Marine Max has done a better job then Clearwater but this will be their big test. Clearwater MM said my bildge blower was not under warranty (I paid for extended warranty) but Cape HAze said it was, this was last year. I came by water (went aground first time) and had lunch at the resturant there while they changed it out. Although they don't have alot of room it was nice to not have any trouble (other then grounding) Anyone that goes by water the entrance is marked by channel markers on the north end of the property so when your coming from the south and there is only the one channel marker on the port side and nothing to starboard doesn't mean there is deep ater to starboard
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Pete's the service manager so you are in good hands. Lori handles the warranty claims with the OEMs so she will know what's in or out. All great people. Yes, its a small facility, but that's what makes it great, not too many people to bounce your around with.

Sorry you found our shoal. I found it 25 years ago when I was running on fumes and tried to make a "bee" line to the fuel dock coming from the south.:smt021 The channel is marked well now, once you hit the entrance from the right angle. Usually the gulls are standing there to give you a reminder...:wow:
 
Morpheus said:
I agree Frank, I have been looking but have not met anyone that can do exactly that. I even tried on Craigs List but then how do you know they really know what they are doing.
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Last I heard, Winglass was considering moving to Florida...

Morpheus said:
Well it's at MM now and my quote is aprx $1000 (plus the $391 I already spent on parts) :smt089

Anyways anyone that lives near me that has a Bravo III and a MPI 5.0 that's want's to show me I'm all for it. I'll even do it for you as long as you tell me what to do and I'll buy the beer (Even though I don't drink beer)
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If you can wait for winter when it's cold and snowing up here in the miserable north, you can pay my airfare to Florida and we'll git 'er done.

Best regards,
Frank C
 
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About the exhaust bellow, leave it how it is. You are in the majority. If you have them put it back on they will charge you about $30-$40 and it will just pull off again. The new ones don’t even attach anymore. Most of the people who say theirs is attached have never bent over and looked. It’s a crappy design that is now changed. Again, the new ones only attach on the housing side. The issue with one side not being attached is its louder if you have the boat running and the drive past the trim up position. In the normal trim position the bellow will be sandwiched and will work fine.


PS: Buy a pump and change the oil via the dipstick. None of the professional mechanics use those rubber tubes. Even with warm oil they take forever to drain.

PPS: Your prop anode is not close to needing to be changed yet.

PPPS: Turn on the water pump then touch it to determine if it’s running. They are not noisy. If it’s not running, check your breakers. If it’s running, just after the pump open the big round gray plastic thing, this is a screen filter, take it off and wash it then put it back on. They get clogged.

Again, what do you mean by an IAC muffler? Are you talking about the IAC filter?
 
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fc3 said:
Last I heard, Winglass was considering moving to Florida...



If you can wait for winter when it's cold and snowing up here in the miserable north, you can pay my airfare to Florida and we'll git 'er done.

Best regards,
Frank C
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Wow Frank givnig bad advice :lol: I'll pass on Winglass

As for your airfair if it's only airfair it might be worth it I think I would still save money or even if it cost as much as MM doing it atleast I would know how and next time would save money. So tempting :grin:

Presentation said:
What is a IAC muffler? Do you mean the little filter?
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Yes I couldn't believe it when I saw it a little piece of sponge/filter like material :wow:

tcontic said:
Greetings,

Where did you get the grommet for the GPS wiring?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsmoofy/3436533536/
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It actually came with my Garmin but Garmin Sells them they are on their website. And thinking about it I may not be able to change my oil but I did install my own GPS :smt038

Presentation said:
About the exhaust bellow, leave it how it is. You are in the majority. If you have them put it back on they will charge you about $30-$40 and it will just pull off again. The new ones don’t even attach anymore. Most of the people who say theirs is attached have never bent over and looked. It’s a crappy design that is now changed. Again, the new ones only attach on the housing side. The issue with one side not being attached is its louder if you have the boat running and the drive past the trim up position. In the normal trim position the bellow will be sandwiched and will work fine.


PS: Buy a pump and change the oil via the dipstick. None of the professional mechanics use those rubber tubes. Even with warm oil they take forever to drain.

PPS: Your prop anode is not close to needing to be changed yet.

PPPS: Turn on the water pump then touch it to determine if it’s running. They are not noisy. If it’s not running, check your breakers. If it’s running, just after the pump open the big round gray plastic thing, this is a screen filter, take it off and wash it then put it back on. They get clogged.

Again, what do you mean by an IAC muffler? Are you talking about the IAC filter?
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Yea they call it the IAC MUFFLER but it's just that little piece of sponge/filter like material I was suprised to see what it was.

Thanks for the PS, PPS, and PPPS I'll keep that in Mind next time. BTW For MM to Diagnose the Fresh Water Pump it's $109 in labor by the Mercruiser book but if it's just a fuse or something simple it's less.
 
the fresh water pump is not a mercruiser part. So there isn't a flatrate on it. there is a flatrate thru searay and that is to replace the pump. It should take the guy longer to uncover then cover the boat , then to diagnose the pump.
 
Morpheus said:
BTW For MM to Diagnose the Fresh Water Pump it's $109 in labor by the Mercruiser book but if it's just a fuse or something simple it's less.
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Wow- you can buy a replacement pump for $150... it really is an easy switch-out if needed. I hate to think what they'll charge you if they replace the pump :(
I've owned outboards and gas and diesel inboards, so I can't help with any outdrive issues...but I'm not far from you (NPR)- I'd be happy to show you how to troubleshoot the water pump problem, just pm me.
 
highslice said:
Which extended warranty? Some of the problems you had seem like warranty things to me based on my extended warranty experiences.
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I don't remember which one I'll have to look it up I'm at work so don't have that paperwork with me.

tobnpr said:
Wow- you can buy a replacement pump for $150... it really is an easy switch-out if needed. I hate to think what they'll charge you if they replace the pump :(
I've owned outboards and gas and diesel inboards, so I can't help with any outdrive issues...but I'm not far from you (NPR)- I'd be happy to show you how to troubleshoot the water pump problem, just pm me.
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Thanks for the offer but it's already in their hands actually it's been there over a week now and they have not touched it.

They keep sending an estimate and it's missing stuff and I keep telling them and they keep getting it wrong and now they want payment upfront :smt101
 
Payment before the work is done?
Are you kidding me??
How quick do you think they'll get to it if you pay 'em before they lift a wrench?
That's absurd.

No effin' way... never, ever...under no circumstances, never...

Did I say never?
 
tobnpr said:
Payment before the work is done?
Are you kidding me??
How quick do you think they'll get to it if you pay 'em before they lift a wrench?
That's absurd.

No effin' way... never, ever...under no circumstances, never...

Did I say never?
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Tell us how you really feel:grin:

+1 I agree.
 
I must be the most unlucky person with it comes to service. I still can't get them to put the correct info on the quote and not sure why they want my payment up front they have my boat not like I can sneak it out and not pay.
 
Ok well someone must of called them and told them to get their act togther as they corrected the quote and put on there that the Water Presure Sensor and Fresh Water Pump are to be submitted for warranty coverage. They still wanted a credit card upfront but said it's not charged till you sign the final bill not sure the point of that, I take my car in for service they don't ask for a credit card up front.

Atleast now it might get finished this week for some boating this weekend and then the week after next is our vacation time which involves A LOT of boating every day for a week.
 
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