Ridiculous Rebuilt Estimate?
 

The mechanic (from a reputable marine repair shop) found water in the
cylinders and bellows and, without knowing exactly what the problem is,
he says it is quite major (cracked block, head gasket, etc...). He
says he should probably push further (diagnose) only if I want to
commit to a rebuilt (as opposed to replacing the engine). They tell me
that whatever way I look at it, it should be at the minimum around
$5000 Cdn (approx. $4200 US).

The boat is a 1990 Bayliner with OMC Cobra 2.3L. I am talking to
people and a few think this is crazy and that I should be able to
simply buy (assuming I can find one around!) an already rebuilt engine
for approx. $1000 US and then maybe 7-8 hours of a mechanic time to
install it. All in all they say that I should be able to fix my boat
for approx. $2000.

Of course, that sounds better than the $5000+ that the mechanic is
talking about or the $11,000 Cdn they suggested it would cost to put a
new Mercruiser 3.0L in it. Any comments, suggestions, ideas? I live
in Vancouver, BC but can easily go to Washington to get a motor.

Speaking of motor, how heavy are they? If I was to attend to replace
my OMC 2.3L, would I need to have access to a special lift to extract
it or could it be done by 2 or 3 men?

Andre

I dunno if you have them in Canada but in the US, we have some used
marine "junk yards" of sorts ("shipwreck marine in Sacramento, Calif and
another one's near Stockton).

I'd opt for finding a block that is used somewhere.

As for weight, it wouldn't be that heavy but instead awkward to lift out
with 2-3 men. I'd suggest buying a "comealong" winch (Northern Tool Supply)
and hoist it out from a rafter or a strong tree (or build a temporary A-Frame
out of lumber). you could drive the boat to the proper location, hoist it
out and drop it in the bed of a pickup truck. Putting a different block in
it would cause you to have to relocate engine mounts and you may have
an issue with an outdrive that can't handle the additional torque.

b.

His advice is sound but the price he quotes seems awful high unless he is
thinking you have sterndrive damage as well.
JIMinFL

"Melandre" wrote in message
ups.com...
The mechanic (from a reputable marine repair shop) found water in the
cylinders and bellows and, without knowing exactly what the problem is,
he says it is quite major (cracked block, head gasket, etc...). He
says he should probably push further (diagnose) only if I want to
commit to a rebuilt (as opposed to replacing the engine). They tell me
that whatever way I look at it, it should be at the minimum around
$5000 Cdn (approx. $4200 US).

The boat is a 1990 Bayliner with OMC Cobra 2.3L. I am talking to
people and a few think this is crazy and that I should be able to
simply buy (assuming I can find one around!) an already rebuilt engine
for approx. $1000 US and then maybe 7-8 hours of a mechanic time to
install it. All in all they say that I should be able to fix my boat
for approx. $2000.

Of course, that sounds better than the $5000+ that the mechanic is
talking about or the $11,000 Cdn they suggested it would cost to put a
new Mercruiser 3.0L in it. Any comments, suggestions, ideas? I live
in Vancouver, BC but can easily go to Washington to get a motor.

Speaking of motor, how heavy are they? If I was to attend to replace
my OMC 2.3L, would I need to have access to a special lift to extract
it or could it be done by 2 or 3 men?

Andre

Sorry for a followup to my own post but when I was trying to find
the address of Shipwreck Marine with google, I stumbled on one
near your neck of the woods in Alberta: http://www.shipwreckmarine.com/

b.

Sounds like he's expecting some outdrive work as well since you mentioned
the bellows was bad. And I don't think a bellows will cause water in the
cylinders so I'm guessing a new exhaust system. Combine that with a fudge
factor because it's a 16 year old boat and a number of other items are going
to come up along the way. Bottom line is the price is no bargain but might
not be as far out as you think. Imho unless the rest of the boat is way
above average in condition I'd sell it for what ever I could get and shop
for a somewhat newer used boat with a merc. That omc drive is just going to
cost you more down the road. Or as you suggest do it yourself if you think
you're up to it. I would not use a few guys to get it out though. You need
to rig a hoist even if it is a come-a-long and a big tree branch.

"Melandre" wrote in message
ups.com...
The mechanic (from a reputable marine repair shop) found water in the
cylinders and bellows and, without knowing exactly what the problem is,
he says it is quite major (cracked block, head gasket, etc...). He
says he should probably push further (diagnose) only if I want to
commit to a rebuilt (as opposed to replacing the engine). They tell me
that whatever way I look at it, it should be at the minimum around
$5000 Cdn (approx. $4200 US).

The boat is a 1990 Bayliner with OMC Cobra 2.3L. I am talking to
people and a few think this is crazy and that I should be able to
simply buy (assuming I can find one around!) an already rebuilt engine
for approx. $1000 US and then maybe 7-8 hours of a mechanic time to
install it. All in all they say that I should be able to fix my boat
for approx. $2000.

Of course, that sounds better than the $5000+ that the mechanic is
talking about or the $11,000 Cdn they suggested it would cost to put a
new Mercruiser 3.0L in it. Any comments, suggestions, ideas? I live
in Vancouver, BC but can easily go to Washington to get a motor.

Speaking of motor, how heavy are they? If I was to attend to replace
my OMC 2.3L, would I need to have access to a special lift to extract
it or could it be done by 2 or 3 men?

Andre

Water in the cylinders is one problem (engine, riser, ... ); water in the
bellows is another separate (maybe just a recent rip in the bellows) problem
(outdrive). So the mechanic will tear down the engine/outdrive, identify the
problems and the extent of the damage, and will replace/fix all for around
$5K cdn ... I'd say that's very reasonable.

$11K for a new 3.0L Mercruiser ... I'm thinking that would include the
Mercruiser (alpha) outdrive ($5K cdn here on a good day) as well? If it does
not include the outdrive, controls, etc I would definitely forget it. If it
does, well ... I'd say that's also very reasonable.

The important thing here imo is that you have stated that you know you are
dealing with a reputable shop ... so whichever way you go with this shop
(repair/rebuilt/upgrade), when all is said and done, your boat will be
operational for another 15 years :-).

Whereas, having your buddies or yourself fix it for $2K (including the
outdrive if it needs work other than the bellows, doing the alignment,
topping up all the fluids, etc, etc ) ... will the boat be operational for a
week, let alone for another 15 years :-) If it was me, I'd say $5K is very
reasonable.

The mechanic (from a reputable marine repair shop) found water in the
cylinders and bellows and, without knowing exactly what the problem is,
he says it is quite major (cracked block, head gasket, etc...). He
says he should probably push further (diagnose) only if I want to
commit to a rebuilt (as opposed to replacing the engine). They tell me
that whatever way I look at it, it should be at the minimum around
$5000 Cdn (approx. $4200 US).

The mechanic is probably being quite reasonable. Tearing the engine and
drive down to find exactly what is wrong can be a substantial amount of
labor.

I have seen a few cases where a motor was torn down after being
replaced and comparitively little work required to get it running again
but it is something of a crapshoot.

If you decide it needs to be a do it-yourself job because of costs plan
on buying an engine hoist and stand. In the US about $200 total. The
engine hoist will let you remove the engine in a very controlled manner
which simply is not possible manually.

wrote in message
oups.com...
The mechanic is probably being quite reasonable. Tearing the engine and
drive down to find exactly what is wrong can be a substantial amount of
labor.

I have seen a few cases where a motor was torn down after being
replaced and comparitively little work required to get it running again
but it is something of a crapshoot.

If you decide it needs to be a do it-yourself job because of costs plan
on buying an engine hoist and stand. In the US about $200 total. The
engine hoist will let you remove the engine in a very controlled manner
which simply is not possible manually.


Most tool rental places get $20 / day for use of a engine hoist. Why buy?

I've found that very few automotive hoists have the lift clearance to get a
boat engine over the transom with the boat on a trailer.

"Bill McKee" wrote in message
link.net...

wrote in message
oups.com...
The mechanic is probably being quite reasonable. Tearing the engine and
drive down to find exactly what is wrong can be a substantial amount of
labor.

I have seen a few cases where a motor was torn down after being
replaced and comparitively little work required to get it running again
but it is something of a crapshoot.

If you decide it needs to be a do it-yourself job because of costs plan
on buying an engine hoist and stand. In the US about $200 total. The
engine hoist will let you remove the engine in a very controlled manner
which simply is not possible manually.


Most tool rental places get $20 / day for use of a engine hoist. Why buy?

"Melandre" wrote in message
oups.com...
The mechanic (from a reputable marine repair shop) found water in the
cylinders and bellows and, without knowing exactly what the problem is,
he says it is quite major (cracked block, head gasket, etc...). He
says he should probably push further (diagnose) only if I want to
commit to a rebuilt (as opposed to replacing the engine). They tell me
that whatever way I look at it, it should be at the minimum around
$5000 Cdn (approx. $4200 US).

The boat is a 1990 Bayliner with OMC Cobra 2.3L. I am talking to
people and a few think this is crazy and that I should be able to
simply buy (assuming I can find one around!) an already rebuilt engine
for approx. $1000 US and then maybe 7-8 hours of a mechanic time to
install it. All in all they say that I should be able to fix my boat
for approx. $2000.

Of course, that sounds better than the $5000+ that the mechanic is
talking about or the $11,000 Cdn they suggested it would cost to put a
new Mercruiser 3.0L in it. Any comments, suggestions, ideas? I live
in Vancouver, BC but can easily go to Washington to get a motor.

Speaking of motor, how heavy are they? If I was to attend to replace
my OMC 2.3L, would I need to have access to a special lift to extract
it or could it be done by 2 or 3 men?

Andre


Last fall I bought a 1995 SeaPro Citation 1900 cuddy cabin with a 3.0
Mercruiser Alpha 1 for US $4,000. The boat is in great cosmetic and,
apparently, mechanical condition. Nothing fancy and with basic
instrumentation, but runs well, looks good and is solid in the floors
and transom (all vinyl is good too). Anyway, what I an trying to say
is I would not put $5,000 into a 1990 Bayliner and end up with a 1990
boat with a 1990 OMC outdrive. I would get what I could out of the
boat as-is and begin the search for its replacement in the used
market.

The Other Dave Hall
Dave Hall

"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who
have not got it." -- G.B. Shaw