Changing impeller (costs)

Jeffreyi

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
107
1989 85hp Force. I brought my boat in to the marina for some service (it's always in the water). I inquired as to the cost to replace the impeller. Does $350 sound about right?

Also, how often (in hours) should I have the motor lubed?

Thanks.
 

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: Changing impeller (costs)

If they charge $300/hour for labor, that would be about right. In most markets I'd say the price is absurd.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,764
Re: Changing impeller (costs)

$125 to take the boat out of the water.
$100 to change the impeller.
$125 to put the boat back in the water.

They got you by the short hairs if you have no alternative.

Got a trailer?
 

roadrash

Seaman
Joined
Apr 3, 2007
Messages
58
Re: Changing impeller (costs)

I also have a a force 120l drive among other boats(freikin nightmare) I think the whole water pump rebuild kit was like 60 bucks. Im not a ball of brilliance but i followed the book and it was pretty easy to do.
 

Jeffreyi

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
107
Re: Changing impeller (costs)

Thanks to all.

I went back to the marina to question the price (I've not decided to do this job) to "clarify" his pricing. He said that the part itself is the water pump assembly, which contains the impeller and he stuck to his price. He told me that the labor book calls for 3 hours of labor and the part is about $150.

Feedback??
 

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: Changing impeller (costs)

That's an hour job max! Go elsewhere. They obviously cooked their book.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,764
Re: Changing impeller (costs)

You can pick up just the water pump impeller for under $25.
Or you can buy the entire water pump housing kit for under $70.
 

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: Changing impeller (costs)

Are you in saltwater? If so, that would acount for some of the additional labor. Dealing with the corrosion can be a nightmare. But tripling? That's way out of line.

About lubing intervals, at least every season the gearlube should be changed and the zerks greased. Maybe more often with above normal usage.

How will the dealer be dealing with the boat? Will it be on a trailer you tow in or do they have to haul out and relaunch? Some facilities subcontract that out and/or have minimum fees to deal with. They might also charge cradle or yard trailer fees.
 

Frank Acampora

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
12,004
Re: Changing impeller (costs)

If The assembly contains pump housing, impeller, stainless plate, gasket and bottom plate (torpedo shaped plate with two seals and several O rings), then the cost could very well be 150 and time needed to replace pump and insert new seals, remove and replace leg could be 3 hours. He needs to tell you more about what he is doing.
 

Jeffreyi

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
107
Re: Changing impeller (costs)

I drive the boat to the dock and the take it out on a large forklift. Saltwater. Tech said that they would replace the entire waterpump assembly.

Thanks.
 

RRitt

Captain
Joined
Mar 30, 2006
Messages
3,319
Re: Changing impeller (costs)

list price on a water pump kit for your engine (p/n FK1204) is $65. You should be able to find it here on i-boats or on ebay for around $50.

I always do this kind of work myself for quality reasons. The local marina (southwest florida) does not like force engines and i think that they give them to their least competent mechanics. Which causes their hours to be higher and their quality lower.

I do my own annual service at an average cost of $50 per year per engine (including occasional starters and batteries). My annual service is to change impellers, change gear oil, replace gearcase seals (every 2 years), replace fuel pump diaphrams (every 2 years), synchronize carbs, adjust idle/linkage, new spark plugs, check anode, check battery cables. It takes one day to do both engines ('88 85HP).
 
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