How long does it take to change power heads

[stopngo]

Hello folks
I am trying to determine whether I am being overcharged.
Question..... how long does it take to remove a blown powerhead and replace it with a rebuilt powerhead on a 9.9 2 stroke Mercury approximately 1990 model.

Thank you

 

[racerone]

And how much are they charging you?------It may involve more than switching the powerhead.----Removing parts from blown motor.-----Inspecting those parts before installing on rebuilt.----Replacing impeller.----Test running.-----What exactly are you asking them to do ?----Why not do this simple work yourself?

 

[Mc Tool]

Hello folks
I am trying to determine whether I am being overcharged.
Question..... how long does it take to remove a blown powerhead and replace it with a rebuilt powerhead on a 9.9 2 stroke Mercury approximately 1990 model.

Thank you

Well I had to replace the powerhead gasket on my 18hp Tohatsu ( which may be surprisingly similar ) new rebuild ( I screwed up and had a water leak ) any how I had to disconnect the throttle link and the reverse lock out link which takes about as much time to do as it takes to type it, then the fuel line ( always a friggin battle ) ,the kill switch wires , the 4 bolts that go up from the mid section and into the bottom of the powerhead and lift off the powerhead . Assembly is the reverse of the above plus there is a bit of arseing about with the choke link .
From start to finish , inc gasket scraping and threebond application took me about 40 mins .
The thing is that when you pay a mechanic to do just a powerhead swap you gotta be real specific about what you want .
To put the blinders ? on ( them things you put on hosses so they cant see out the side ) and rip the old one off and bung the new one on .....is that what you want , or would you like the gasket surfaces cleaned up 1st , do you want a proper gasket or is RTV ok for you . Would you want the mechanic to tell you if he sees something dodgy with the new powerhead , or just fix it and add it to the bill , or even just say nothing .
Water pump is something you should def have checked , or if you are pretty damn sure you know why the old powerhead died before you commission the new one least it immediately suffer the same fate as its predecessor.
So I guess it would take about 4'6".
If you want a real close est from us lot tell us what was done ( pic of the bill would be good ).
If your not mechanicy (and I suspect not ) , and the mechanic has done a couple of extras that make sense ( he has a good explanation ) Id probly just thank the guy and pay him and be happy that your just that bit safer. Nobody likes rowing home ..... specially from a maiden voyage.

 

[Scott Danforth]

First, consider yourself lucky you found a dealer to work on your 35 year old motor. Most will not

Next, they are probably considering they will run into problems. They also are going to charge your their prices for gaskets, impeller, hoses, incidentals, etc

They will be checking everything out because they do not want a "bring-back". So they will be thorough

They also have to make the job worthwhile to them as that is what covers the overhead (keeps the shop open and the wages paid)

My guess, they are going to charge you 4 hours of labor and about $100 - 150 worth of gaskets, impeller and incidentals. So my guess is your bill will be $500-650

BTW, financially, it doesn't make sense to pay a dealer for labor on a 35 year old used motor that you can look around and buy a running example of for $200, or fix yourself

 

[flyingscott]

I agree buy a different motor and keep yours for parts.

 

[Mc Tool]

First, consider yourself lucky you found a dealer to work on your 35 year old motor. Most will not

Next, they are probably considering they will run into problems. They also are going to charge your their prices for gaskets, impeller, hoses, incidentals, etc

They will be checking everything out because they do not want a "bring-back". So they will be thorough

They also have to make the job worthwhile to them as that is what covers the overhead (keeps the shop open and the wages paid)

My guess, they are going to charge you 4 hours of labor and about $100 - 150 worth of gaskets, impeller and incidentals. So my guess is your bill will be $500-650

BTW, financially, it doesn't make sense to pay a dealer for labor on a 35 year old used motor that you can look around and buy a running example of for $200, or fix yourself

We call it gouging , greedy people tack on every extra they can and expect peeps to be stupid enough to pay .
A dealer could just swap the powerhead , stick in a china gasket and charge for the time spent , end of . Instead the potential customer leaves after such an attempted assault on his wallet, the opportunity for a bit of goodwill gone and the guy ( and his kids ) will probly not ever come back ......and he will tell several peeps about his bad experience.
I think it is a real stupid attitude ,
If that were me and the guy had a gasket ( send him to Ali for a cheap option ) Id probly do the job for a bag of cream buns for the smoko room .
I bought a used toyota ,previous owner has screwed up the stereo security code so bad it had to go to the dealer . He smirks at me and says it cost 150bucks , I ask if it any cheaper if I remove the head unit , " oh no we only have to hold down the right combination of buttons and turn on the power " . a blatant gouge ..... anyhow I read him his pedigree and left for good . So stupid ,If the guy had just fixed it I probly would have bought my next car off him ....but instead I just tell everybody what a pack they are . I rang the dealer in Dunedin and being as we are talking a 2003 Rav4 he just told me over the phone . When I need another car he is the 1st person I will contact .
small minds
mechanical snobbery
short sighted.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you are a business owner, with a limited amount of tech staff in this current marine market down turn. you just had to let half your staff go because no one is buying new boats, so your rigging and setup business is gone. you have to float a loan for any inventory as that comes out of your bottom line. you are now not only the business owner, however the sales person, receptionist and janitor because you just let them all go.

do you have your remaining guys working on 35 year old basket case motors that you will loose money or, or if all goes right, may break even at the end of the day after paying rent, wages, taxes, light bill, etc

or do you have your guys working on warranty / new boats / winterizing service / etc. where you can bring in some profit to maybe afford some Ramen at the end of the day because the price of parts literally have doubled in the last 4 years, environmental fees have gone up, etc.

call it gouging if you want, however walk a month in the business owners shoes in todays business climate.

 

[flyingscott]

We call it gouging , greedy people tack on every extra they can and expect peeps to be stupid enough to pay .
A dealer could just swap the powerhead , stick in a china gasket and charge for the time spent , end of . Instead the potential customer leaves after such an attempted assault on his wallet, the opportunity for a bit of goodwill gone and the guy ( and his kids ) will probly not ever come back ......and he will tell several peeps about his bad experience.
I think it is a real stupid attitude ,
If that were me and the guy had a gasket ( send him to Ali for a cheap option ) Id probly do the job for a bag of cream buns for the smoko room .
I bought a used toyota ,previous owner has screwed up the stereo security code so bad it had to go to the dealer .he smirks at me and says it cost 150bucks , I ask if it any cheaper if I remove the head unit , " oh no we only have to hold down the right combination of buttons and turn on the power " . a blatant gouge ..... anyhow I read him his pedigree and left for good . So stupid ,If the guy had just fixed it I probly would have bought my next car off him ....but instead I just tell everybody what a pack they are . I rang the dealer in Dunedin and being as we are talking a 2003 Rav4 he just told me over the phone . When I need another car he is the 1st person I will contact .
small minds
mechanical snobbery
short sighted.

Why should they put cheap garbage or take shortcuts on the Motor and risk the comeback. Your response shows you have limited knowledge of actually working on these motors. Or what that job actually takes. Does the guy who takes donuts as payment warranty his work? Will he warranty Alis cheap gasket and any damage it may cause?

 

[Mc Tool]

Your response shows you have limited knowledge of actually working on these motors.

Not true.

MODERATOR EDIT: removed profanity

 

[flyingscott]

Sorry ,I just dont think the guy you pay in donuts is the leading expert on the dealership Financials. Wouldn't it be nice if I could trade a bag of donuts for service work.

 

[Mc Tool]

Sorry ,I just dont think the guy you pay in donuts is the leading expert on the dealership Financials. Wouldn't it be nice if I could trade a bag of donuts for service work.

This is part of my point ......it doesnt need the leading expert to do such a job , the boy who sweeps the floor could do it .
I cant believe you couldnt spend 40 mins ( remember you would get paid for the time ) of your life , send the guy away happy to tell everyone what a great bunch of guys you are ..........probly the cheapest most effective advertising you could do ..... but no youd rather come up with a bunch of stupid reasons for not doing the job .
I managed the service dept for a nationwide company for 10 years , got paid a lot of bonuses so I dont need you telling me how to run a service dept .
I think you have forgotten you are dealing with real people , ones that dont pull up in a Bentley or a Roller.

 

[flyingscott]

Sorry If I was getting that job done in 40 minutes I would question what short cuts were taken. I guess a bag of donuts doesn't buy what it used to. But maybe some people like the 2nd bag of donuts for the return work.

 

[Mc Tool]

Sorry If I was getting that job done in 40 minutes I would question what short cuts were taken. I guess a bag of donuts doesn't buy what it used to. But maybe some people like the 2nd bag of donuts for the return work.

Dude , if you read my 1st post I explained just how I did it in about 40 mins , admittedly I was 100% sure that there were no other problems ( I did say it was a new rebuild ) so there was no complications , and I have done it a couple of times prior .
If your smart there is no return work that you'd be libel for ,you just gotta nut that out with the cust 1st , I mean fair enough some peeps will try it on , if he looks like an arsehole send him packing. , and I dont know why you keep going on about donuts .... I said cream buns

 

[Mc Tool]

you are a business owner, with a limited amount of tech staff in this current marine market down turn. you just had to let half your staff go because no one is buying new boats, so your rigging and setup business is gone. you have to float a loan for any inventory as that comes out of your bottom line. you are now not only the business owner, however the sales person, receptionist and janitor because you just let them all go.

do you have your remaining guys working on 35 year old basket case motors that you will loose money or, or if all goes right, may break even at the end of the day after paying rent, wages, taxes, light bill, etc

or do you have your guys working on warranty / new boats / winterizing service / etc. where you can bring in some profit to maybe afford some Ramen at the end of the day because the price of parts literally have doubled in the last 4 years, environmental fees have gone up, etc.

call it gouging if you want, however walk a month in the business owners shoes in todays business climate.

We have the same boat market downturn here , you just about cant give away a 2nd hand boat now, great if you want to buy one, 2 new boat retailers have closed up and the local manufacturers are struggling , . In town the franchise brands are going thru the same thing as you describe , the guy who has no brand allegance and will fix anything is doing well , well I mean he has about a 3 week out time but he will still do a small job while you wait and doesnt mind if you can double the value of your boat by filling the tank

 

[flyingscott]

Dude , if you read my 1st post I explained just how I did it in about 40 mins , admittedly I was 100% sure that there were no other problems ( I did say it was a new rebuild ) so there was no complications , and I have done it a couple of times prior .
If your smart there is no return work that you'd be libel for ,you just gotta nut that out with the cust 1st , I mean fair enough some peeps will try it on , if he looks like an arsehole send him packing. , and I dont know why you keep going on about donuts .... I said cream buns

Dude , if you read my 1st post I explained just how I did it in about 40 mins , admittedly I was 100% sure that there were no other problems ( I did say it was a new rebuild ) so there was no complications , and I have done it a couple of times prior .
If your smart there is no return work that you'd be libel for ,you just gotta nut that out with the cust 1st , I mean fair enough some peeps will try it on , if he looks like an arsehole send him packing. , and I dont know why you keep going on about donuts .... I said cream buns

I did read it and I read about your screw up. Like I said I question the short cuts taken. And if you actually ran a service department, I would think you would have a clue about doing the job rite.

 

[Mc Tool]

I did read it and I read about your screw up. Like I said I question the short cuts taken. And if you actually ran a service department, I would think you would have a clue about doing the job rite.

Oh now your just being childish ,

 

[tpenfield]

I'm going to lock this thread for now . . .

The OP has not posted additional information, and the dialog has taken on a life of its own, and not in a good way.

@stopngo , please reach out to a Moderator if you have additional information and want to re-open the thread.