Raw water pump labor charge

Flytrade

Flytrade

Active Member
Feb 20, 2018
302
Bradenton, FL
Boat Info
2006 320 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 6.2L Mercruiser
I just had a new raw water pump installed on my Mag 350 engine, and was charged 4 hours labor at $105 an hour.
I certainly believe everyone should receive a decent wage, but this sounds excessive. I would have thought less than an hour to take off the old one, and less than an hour to install the new one. Am I out of touch with reality and being too picky?
 
In the past several years I had it done on 2 boats. Charged 2 hrs labor both times.
 
I paid a little more than 4 hours of labor to do two impellers, one pump housing and a coolant flush.

Maybe they broke a bolt...or had some other complications? Might be worth asking.
 
I think the only thing that takes an hour these days is writing up the paper work
 
This is off water pumps, but we had to have the compressor on our boat's SubZero Freezer replaced. Warranty covered the parts, but the service call to the dock and 4 hours of labor came to $1550! Why? - "Flat Rate" Manual price!
 
I change my own with the spare I keep as back up then change the impeller. It takes about an hour to swap one out and an hour to change the impeller. A spare raw water pump is $400 US. Four hours seems fair if all that was done was the pump. The mechanic had to get his tools together, find the parts go to your boat then back to the shop. Based on my boat there is stuff to move by the engine to access things if a mechanic has to move it he charges.
 
I can do each of mine in about 45 minutes. (first time took about 2 hours) Changing the pump doesn't increase the time. Mine are accessible, but probably not as accessible as a single I/O 260.

4 hours sounds insane to me.
 
Labor rates and the amount of hours spent comes up on every forum ...car, boats.... etc.

I usually ask for a ball park estimate before going into any repair so I'm not shocked when handed the final bill. Being somewhat a DIY'er I'll take on a challenge but I know when I'm going to get beat and will be happy to pay for a repair.

If they did you good work, boat as clean or cleaner than when they started be happy. If you use the same mechanic's for other repair and maintenance tasks I bet these charges will even themselves out over time.

BTW where are you located?
 
northern said:
I change my own with the spare I keep as back up then change the impeller. It takes about an hour to swap one out and an hour to change the impeller. A spare raw water pump is $400 US. Four hours seems fair if all that was done was the pump. The mechanic had to get his tools together, find the parts go to your boat then back to the shop. Based on my boat there is stuff to move by the engine to access things if a mechanic has to move it he charges.
Click to expand...

Where can I get a pump for $400? I had to purchase one locally a couple months back, over $500.
 
Flytrade said:
I just had a new raw water pump installed on my Mag 350 engine, and was charged 4 hours labor at $105 an hour.
I certainly believe everyone should receive a decent wage, but this sounds excessive. I would have thought less than an hour to take off the old one, and less than an hour to install the new one. Am I out of touch with reality and being too picky?
Click to expand...
Can you see your pump, or is it super hard to get to?

I changed my own and the first time was difficult. I have to move my water lift muffler (starboard side) out of the way first. Removing all those hose clamps takes a while.
 
On that model, the raw water pump is pretty easy to access. 4 hours is definitely high for a simple impeller change, but a good point was mentioned above... other gear in the bilge and whether or not corrosion or other similar factors got in the way. Ask for clarification.
 
Little Ducky said:
Labor rates and the amount of hours spent comes up on every forum ...car, boats.... etc.

I usually ask for a ball park estimate before going into any repair so I'm not shocked when handed the final bill. Being somewhat a DIY'er I'll take on a challenge but I know when I'm going to get beat and will be happy to pay for a repair.

If they did you good work, boat as clean or cleaner than when they started be happy. If you use the same mechanic's for other repair and maintenance tasks I bet these charges will even themselves out over time.

BTW where are you located?
Click to expand...

I have not seen labor rates or time to do a specific job on other web sites. If you have a link, please send it.
However, I like your idea of asking for an estimate before work is started. I'll do that in the future.
I live in Bradenton, FL.
 
SeadawgVB said:
Can you see your pump, or is it super hard to get to?

I changed my own and the first time was difficult. I have to move my water lift muffler (starboard side) out of the way first. Removing all those hose clamps takes a while.
Click to expand...

I can see my pump, but I have to admit that it's on the lower part of the engine, and hard to get it. Also, there appears to be hoses, etc. to take on/off to get the job done. Maybe I'm being a little paranoid. LOL
 
Flytrade said:
I have not seen labor rates or time to do a specific job on other web sites. If you have a link, please send it.
Click to expand...

I believe what Ducky meant was that your question ("Is this a fair amount that I paid") is a common question to be posted on forums... which it is - a common question, that is.
 
Flytrade said:
I can see my pump, but I have to admit that it's on the lower part of the engine, and hard to get it. Also, there appears to be hoses, etc. to take on/off to get the job done. Maybe I'm being a little paranoid. LOL
Click to expand...
Not paranoid - it's probably just not a job you're familiar with doing. Once you've done it a few times, it's quite easy. The access in your model boat really is pretty good.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,160
Messages
1,427,471
Members
61,067
Latest member
RoseyNerd
Back
Top