Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

[papakevin]

OK guys, I'm looking for a little help here if you don't mind. First some brief history. <br /><br />I purchase a boat with a 1988 Evinrude 48 SPL. (Two new carbs were installed last year before I bought the boat). Motor seemed to idle a bit rough, checked spark and compression (both good) so I took it to the shop for them to look at it. They charged me $37.50 for adjustments and said it was fine. Took it to the lake, wouldn't idle, got it going, ran fine, but died again at idle. <br /><br />Took it back to the shop, and this time they charged my $311, claiming the gas tank had water in it and they had to pull both carbs and clean them piece by piece. They also claimed they had to pull the tank from the builge to clean it, thus the extra time.<br /><br />Question #1 - Does this amount seem high?<br />Question #2 - Was there an easier way/less expensive way to deal with the water in the tank?<br /><br />Any help IS GREATLY appreciated. Thanks.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

ANSWER #1:<br />seems absoluetly normal.<br /><br />welcome to boating.<br /><br />do yourself a favor, by a manual for that motor, weather it be a seloc, clymer, or actual OEM, but GET ONE! the best 35 bucks youll ever spend, and then the first time you use it yourself, youll save more money than you spent on the damned book in the first place.<br /><br />sorry , but this is normal.<br /><br />have you priced a NEW 50hp?<br /><br />ANSWER #2:<br /> get a fuel / water seperator

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

$ 4000.00 plus or minus...

 

[roscoe]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

Had to pull the tank?? Why not pump it out?

 

[Scali]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

Seafoams 6 bucks a can, I wonder if you couldve saved that all that money if you tryed first yourself ?

 

[papakevin]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

Scali... If only I have a little time. You're probably right on the seafoam. I went as far to troubleshoot the engine for spark and compression, but I got a little scared of the carbs (new 8 months ago, no manual, etc). Also the "itch" to get it into the water and the overtime at work had something to do with it.<br /><br />Thanks everyone for all the great information. It's helping us new guys to get an idea of what do to.<br /><br />Any suggestions on what I can / should do to avoid future problems? I really don't want to go thru this again! Thanks.

 

[Scali]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

I dont blame you, I understand your point.<br />& it's done right, I understand theres a remote possibility that a jet may get clogged doing it the seafoam way, not a good thing..

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

Yea, I understand where Kevin's coming from. Sometimes it's better to earn money for what you're good at, and pay the pro mechanics to do what they're good at. I've spend the money many times - and for us way-low on the learning curve amateurs, the peace of mind is worth something too.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

For the future:<br /><br />buy fuel from a high volume source like a busy gas station, not a remote lake resort marina.<br /><br />Get a water/fuel separating filter.<br /><br />Keep fuel tank full so there is less air to exchange and cause condensation.<br /><br />Use of Seafoam on a regular basis.

 

[Scali]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

Also use the boat !<br />These 2 strokes love to run, sounds like your working too much anyways , LOL

 

[papakevin]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

Thanks for the information. Running the boat this weekend. How often should one run Seafoam in a boat? Especially since the carbs have just been cleaned. Thanks again everyone!

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

run it in EVERY tank.<br /><br />some people add a capfull in each tank, some add more. the can has grat directions<br /><br /> just remeber to mix your oil AFTER youve added the sea foam and configured the sea foam in to the amount of fuel your mixing.

 

[xsbuilder]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

Well, I think you got a (not good but) pretty standard price for carb cleaning. In a big city at a high overhead repair shop, I paid 3 bills to clean one tiny little carb on my 15hp Johnson. A couple of years later, the same problem took me to a boatshop in a little out of the way burg. There a repair only cost me $50. Mostly because he didn't take the carb apart just put a can of cleaner through the carb. He also provided a lot of advice about using fresh gas, cleaning the tanks, running the carb fully dry before storage and how to clean the carb myself in an emergency. The benefits of small town service! <br /><br />-xsb

 

[JC1933]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

Sorry to but in, is sea foam and deep creep the same chem,in diferent containers? thanks. J,C,

 

[JC1933]

Re: Fair Cost for Carb Cleaning?

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