Summerizing seems expensive

[jeep2001]

I had my boat winterized last fall and I called for an oil change today. They said it would be $100.00 dollars for an oil change. Then they said I need the boat summerized because they have to get the antifreeze out of the engine that they put in to winterized for $150.00 more dollars. I said what else to you do for the $150.00 and they said they will check the lights and horn. I did not get the oil change done last fall because I only had 3 hours on that oil but they said it was dirty. Do these prices sound right to you guys? This is a 1997 4.3 mercruiser. I just think the price is a little high to remove the antifreeze and to check the light.
Thanks
Jeep2001

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

This is a common complaint. But do it yourself once with an imaginary labor rate of $100 an hour. Heck use $75/hour if you wish. The shop needs to hook up to your boat, get it into the shop, hook things up that were disconnected during winterizing. Drain the anti-freeze, drain the oil, remove the filter, install a new one, dunk the outdrive, fire the engine, and verify it is not leaking oil. The boat is then returned to its storage location. And then you need to recycle the oil and filter. Labor rates do not start when the first wrench is turned.

 

[woody66912]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

Silvertip is right, working on a boat is very labor intensive. Just hang by your feet one time and remove your oil filter, keep in mind that you can't make a mess when the filter is removed. Just try it once you will gain a new respect for what they do.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

Very good explaination of what is included in working on a boat. You only forgot to mention that the shop also needs to make a little profit in order to stay in business. They need to stay in business so you can hire them when you need them, like winterizing your boat again this fall so it doesn't freeze and break the block.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

To "get the antifreeze out" just hook it on muffs in the drive and start it up. It should have biodegradable antifreeze (pink rv stuff) So going down the drive is no big deal. Oil should be changed in the winter. If it only has 3 hours... i would leave it in until next winterization. Now that leaves you a ton of free money for fuel and beer

 

[jeep2001]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

That's exactly what I have been thinking. I'm surprised they did not metion this when I picked the boat up in the fall. I know the dealers do a good job but, sometime I can't justify the labor price. I'm not cheep but I don't like to waste money either.

Thanks
Jeep2001

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

To "get the antifreeze out" just hook it on muffs in the drive and start it up. It should have biodegradable antifreeze (pink rv stuff) So going down the drive is no big deal. Oil should be changed in the winter. If it only has 3 hours... i would leave it in until next winterization. Now that leaves you a ton of free money for fuel and beer

First point is spot on.

But second point about not changing the oil is wrong. You need to change the oil.

This is why I say when someone says "I am looking at a used boat thats 5 years old but only has 20 hours.", 'Really, what maintenance items did they skip?' Changing the oil is usually #1 on the list.

It's pretty simple Jeep, paying someone to do winterization and summerization to your boat is a WASTE of money. It's easy to do yourself and as you have just found out, will save you at least $200. I'll bet that's a months payment on the boat, isn't it?

 

[jeep2001]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

Yes I will get a manual and learn how to do this. Yes you are right I would love to save some money and would not have to go to the boat dealer for this. I change the oil in my car so I dont think the boat will be is that much harder, I hope. I seen some U tube video on winterizing and they look pretty good. I am just wondering how many of you guys out there do your own oil changes and winderizing.
Thanks
jeep2001

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

If the engine is "winterized" correctly, the only thing you do to "summerize", (other than check oil and other fluids) Is put the boat in the water and go boating.

If someone used anti-freeze, It should be the bio-degradable type.

In the future, you don't have to use anti-freeze. Just drain the water.

A Wise man once said: "Air Don't Freeze" (at least on this planet!!)


ALWAYS CHANGE THE OIL as part of winterization. (don't leave possibly contaminated oil in the engine all Fall, Winter, and Spring!!)

 

[Bondo]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

Yes I will get a manual and learn how to do this. Yes you are right I would love to save some money and would not have to go to the boat dealer for this. I change the oil in my car so I dont think the boat will be is that much harder, I hope. I seen some U tube video on winterizing and they look pretty good. I am just wondering how many of you guys out there do your own oil changes and winderizing.
Thanks
jeep2001

Ayuh,.... Keep Hopin',...

Ya can't drain a boat motor, ya pump the oil out, 'n dependin' on Where the filter is mounted, changin' it can be a Challenge...

Most All of Us here do our own work,....
That's Why We're here explainin' how too, to the rest of you fellas, so's you can do the same....

In the future, you don't have to use anti-freeze. Just drain the water.

A Wise man once said: "Air Don't Freeze" (at least on this planet!!)

Ayuh,.... Ditto that...

 

[sprobst]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

Yes. If you can change your own car oil, you can change your boat oil.

Be careful about some of the youtube videos that explain winterization. Some of them advocate winterization kits that suck antifreeze from a bucket into the muffs. There is much controversy about this method since there's no way of knowing whether the thermostat is open or closed and the antifreeze might not be making it into the block using this method (and might simply be coming back out in the exhaust). The better, safer method (and the method explained in the manual) is to drain the block and exhaust manifold. There's other things involving winterization (like changing the drive oil) and pulling the drive to inspect the driveshaft, ujoints, and bellows...but, you could do that too. It's not hard. Post back in the fall and you'll get lots of help.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

A wise man once said... air dont freeze
Ayuh,.... Ditto that...

Thats funny as heck !!!
Changing oil in a boat IS alot like changing the oil in a car. The difference is the accessibility to the drain plug and filter. You can climb under a car-not a boat. To reach the drain plug on the boat you may have become a contortionist to the point where you have your left big toe hooked into the corner of your mouth., at which point you will drop the wrench, which will land 2 in out of reach in the bilge.:facepalm:

 

[Bondo]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

Thats funny as heck !!!
Changing oil in a boat IS alot like changing the oil in a car. The difference is the accessibility to the drain plug and filter. You can climb under a car-not a boat. To reach the drain plug on the boat you may have become a contortionist to the point where you have your left big toe hooked into the corner of your mouth., at which point you will drop the wrench, which will land 2 in out of reach in the bilge.:facepalm:

Ayuh,.... 'n ya end up with 4 quarts of oil in the Bilge, insteada a carry-away can....

 

[jeep2001]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

Thanks guys what about the hose you put down the dip stick tube to drain the oil? Is this a good or bad way to drain the oil? Is the filter hard to get at on a 4.3 motor? Do the dealers drain it by the drain plug or the dip stick (just wondering).
Mike

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

Most marine engines have a dipstick tube already designed to connect a vac pump for oil removal.

They also usually have threads that you can screw a hose to and start sucking!!

You can also connect a tube to the pan and snake it out the transom drain and let it drain by gravity. (I think new Mercruisers come that way)

Thanks guys what about the hose you put down the dip stick tube to drain the oil? Is this a good or bad way to drain the oil?

You can do that too. It just takes a little longer because you're sucking it through a small tube.....

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

My 2010 mercruiser has a drain tube that runs to the outside of the transom. Brass plug right next to my bilge drain plug. Not sure when they started this style...

Easier then changing oil on a car!!!!

 

[calvinator]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

and surf YouTube for howto videos.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

Changing the oil on a boat is easier than a car. For the car you have to crawl underneath it. The boat you do from the top. No muss, no fuss. Oil changes and all other maintenance are best done in the fall. Summerization is merely reinstalling the battery. When a dealer charges you to "summerize", it means that he is checking to be sure that he winterized it properly.

 

[jeep2001]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

Thanks everyone do you guys think all the water hoses are connected to the engine and the dealer didnt disconnect any of these? I know they ran antifreeze through the engine to winterized it?
Mike

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Summerizing seems expensive

There is no reason to leave hoses off, especially if they used antifreeze. But you should at least look at the engine and make sure all the drain plugs are in too.