/// Valve job /// VOLVO Penta 305

[noahsinclair]

After hearing "popping" sounds and a rough idle and not being able to diagnose myself I took my boat (1988 Skipjack 20 open) with a rebuilt Volvo Penta 305 (aq235) to a mechanic. It was diagnosed and after was told I need a valve job. I was quoted $3500-$4000, this quote seems high to me but Im really not sure. Does that sound right? I was also told I have "85% leak down" ? Not sure what that means and was told I need exhaust work and was quoted $2000 for that. These prices seem high as Ive seen new or rebuilt engines for that price. Can I get some opinions form you guys and gals before I ok him or go get a second opinion. Thanks in advance!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Find a different mechanic. New heads are about $700 a pair, New manifolds and risers are about $500. Should be 2 hours labor max for the manifolds, and another 2 - 3 hours for swapping the heads.

The poping noise and rough idle could be a dozen things.

That mechanic is price gouging

 

[BRICH1260]

I think you could buy a whole new rebuilt engine for what he has quoted you.

 

[Fishermark]

Ouch! A man's gotta earn a living.. but wow! A agree with the above. Find another mechanic if you cannot do it yourself.

 

[noahsinclair]

Ya my engine is kept really clean and Ive heard horror stories on some if the rebuilt engines. I found a mechanic who quoted me $2000 which sounds about right. Id do myself if I had a shop and knew a machinist. Going ahead with the work and hopefully Ill be back on the water soon!

 

[Scott Danforth]

$2k for heads and manifolds? is that new heads or a valve job? if its a valve job, your paying over $1k in labor alone. if its a new set of heads, your paying about $700 in labor.

no need for a shop, you can pull heads off while boat is on a trailer in your driveway. I guarantee if you google automotive machine shop, there is one within an hour of you that charges about $100 for rebuilding a head (assuming your in the US)

 

[noahsinclair]

$2k for heads and manifolds? is that new heads or a valve job? if its a valve job, your paying over $1k in labor alone. if its a new set of heads, your paying about $700 in labor.

no need for a shop, you can pull heads off while boat is on a trailer in your driveway. I guarantee if you google automotive machine shop, there is one within an hour of you that charges about $100 for rebuilding a head (assuming your in the US)

2K at new shop is for Compression check (which Ive already had done and know one is low at 90psi), remove cylinder head and send out for valve job, renew gaskets, check exhaust manifolds and gaskets, carb cleanup renew plugs. Thats is what was written on my invoice anyways. The first mechanic I took the boat to quoted me $3500-$4000 just for the removal and and valve job, and another $2000 for exhaust.

 

[Scott Danforth]

$2k is still a bit high if all they are doing is checking the manifolds and removing one head, how much boat did they need to remove to get to the motor?