Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

[enginesilo]

This is my first time ever owning an I/O. My boat is a 2005 Searay with the 3.0L engine with about 33 hours on it.

I am debating on winterizing it myself and was curious to know about how much does it cost in Filters, gaskets, o-rings, seals, etc? I am trying to get an estimate on the guess that everything on the engine and boat are just fine, so this would be a regular winterization service without additional repairs.

Also, what is the best manual to buy for the 3.0L engine with the Alpha One drive for 2005?

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

Before you attempt to winterize, get a manuel or read the sticky on the top of this page. You should be able to contact Merc & order the manuel. You'll need gear oil, engine oil & filter, fogging oil, antifreeze, gasket set if you pull the outdrive. The real cost will come if you make a mistake, so take your time & do it right.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

I do my own on my 3.0. Cost of supplies is less than 35 bucks.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

I have mine done at the Marina that has always maintained mine. $156 and that includes everything and Spring Prep too

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

You know 156 bucks is bargain,consider this if done wrong they are responsible for the repairs.

You would be saving 100 bucks.

If i had a new boat i would also let them do it. And i don't let no one touch my stuff.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

Yeah, maybe if it were still under warranty, I'd let them do it. But if I had a boat new enough to still be under warranty, $156 wouldn't be anything to me...

There's no way I'm letting anybody else touch my boat. What happens if they let it sit on the lot and freeze before getting to it? What if they do it wrong, and come springtime, I've got a cracked block?

Even if they DID end up eating the repairs, that's probably a good half the season I'm gonna be without a boat, waiting on them to fix it.

I can do it in an evening for $30, and KNOW it's done right. That extra $120 can go toward something I want...

I should start billing my bank account for all of the money that I save my wife and I, by doing my own repairs/maint. If I just told my wife, "I just saved ue $120 on that winterization", or "I just saved us $3000 on that engine build and install" I'd have a LOT of really cool toys... Maybe even a boat that was under warranty.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

Hahaha.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

Yeah, maybe if it were still under warranty, I'd let them do it. But if I had a boat new enough to still be under warranty, $156 wouldn't be anything to me...

There's no way I'm letting anybody else touch my boat. What happens if they let it sit on the lot and freeze before getting to it? What if they do it wrong, and come springtime, I've got a cracked block?[unquote]

I always wait on the work to be done so I don't have to make four trips just to get the boat winterized. The Marina has a standard check list and when each item is finished the Mechanic that does the work initials that, that task has been completed. That way nothing is missed or at least they would know who didn't do their job. I sleep good at night knowing they are responsible and nothing is missed. It's a cheap insurance policy.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

Yeah, maybe if it were still under warranty, I'd let them do it. But if I had a boat new enough to still be under warranty, $156 wouldn't be anything to me...

There's no way I'm letting anybody else touch my boat. What happens if they let it sit on the lot and freeze before getting to it? What if they do it wrong, and come springtime, I've got a cracked block?

I always wait on the work to be done so I don't have to make four trips just to get the boat winterized. The Marina has a standard check list and when each item is finished the Mechanic that does the work initials that that task has been completed. That way nothing is missed or at least they would know who didn't do their job. I sleep good at night knowing they are responsible and nothing is missed. It's a cheap insurance policy.

Maybe it's just because I've worked in shops, but I don't trust a check mark, any more than I trust a politician.

The way I see it, that check mark is just a convienient way for them to turn it back into your problem. "Well, it's not our fault, cause we've got a check mark right here that says we did it right. How do we know you didn't take it out after winterization? The check mark doesn't lie!"

Like I said, maybe it's just because I've seen what sometimes goes on on that OTHER side of the bay doors...

 

[JustJason]

Re: Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

NonTox antifreeze.... 10 bucks a gallon.... a 3 liter takes 3ish gallons
Oil.... 2 bucks a quart.... a 3 liter takes 5
oil filter.... 4 bucks for a cheapie..... 7 bucks for a good one
gear lube..... 11 bucks a quart.... alpha takes 2
fuel water seperator 10-15 bucks
stabilizer.... 8 bucks a bottle
any other fuel filters $$$
and then there's the grease, fogging oil, storage seal......

And that's if you decide not to pull the drive.

So if i'm at 100 bucks in parts.... bare minimun

You guys are missing steps
and rolling the dice

See you all with cracked blocks in the spring

 

[MBAKER]

Re: Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

I just checked the other day, and was given 3 options,

option 1= basic winterizing, drain water, etc 180$
option 2= option 1 +oil and filter change 270$
option 3= option 2 + remove, lube and inspect outdrive 380$

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

Thanks for all of the replies so far!

I am up in the air on doing it myself. The last owner took it to a mechanic about 40 minutes away from me who does the winterization and spring tweaks for under $200.

However, I would like to learn it so I can do it myself and know I am doing it right. I've owned jet ski's for the past few years and I winterize those with my eyes closed now that I've done it a few times.

I am a total newbie to I/O's, and haven't ever removed an entire drive so that is all very new to me. I've changed lower end oil in an Outboard, and replaced prop but that was it. Don't know much about how a normal gimbal bearing should function, etc.

The boat is really new so I don't expect any major problems. I think I am going to attempt it

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

NonTox antifreeze.... 10 bucks a gallon.... a 3 liter takes 3ish gallons

Closed cooling? I'm thinking the basic winterization isn't going to include a coolant flush.

Oil.... 2 bucks a quart.... a 3 liter takes 5

$10

oil filter.... 4 bucks for a cheapie..... 7 bucks for a good one

You can get a FRAM, or a Bosch for 4 bucks. You talking about a Mercruiser or something?

$14

gear lube..... 11 bucks a quart.... alpha takes 2

I can get synthetic blended gear lube for about $2.50/quart.

$19

fuel water seperator 10-15 bucks

I got one this summer for $7

$26

stabilizer.... 8 bucks a bottle

There's a Recipe for Sea Foam around here somewhere. You can make 5 gallons of it for less than $20. That's enough to last you a lifetime of winterizations!

Or you can pay $8 per bottle... You're STILL only up to $34...

any other fuel filters $$$

You think they're gonna just GIVE you "any other fuel filters"?

Don't count on it. That's gonna cost you extra. Gurantee you can buy it, and put it on cheaper than they will sell it and install it for...

and then there's the grease, fogging oil, storage seal......

I'll betcha you're going to be paying a surcharge for "shop supplies" as well. The fact is, things like a tube of grease, fogging oil, etc. Are not single-use items. You'll still have PLENTY of grease for future winterizations, as well as to do some periodic lubing during the season... Should be able to fog a few engines with a can of fogging oil as well. Same goes for a can of storage seal...

And that's if you decide not to pull the drive.

So go ahead an pull the drive! It's a $6 gasket.

$40

And if it's due, another $12 for the impeller. How much is the marina gonna charge you for an impeller replacement?

$52

So if i'm at 100 bucks in parts.... bare minimun

Where'd the other $48 go?

Even WITH counting the possible other problems that AREN'T going to be part of your regular winterizaion package, you're not even CLOSE to the $100 mark. Especially if you take my advice, and invest in mixing a bucket of sea-foam, and spread the cost out over the rest of your lifetime!

If it REALLY cost $100 just for parts, how would a marnia even stay in business doing all of that work for just a $50 differential?

You guys are missing steps
and rolling the dice

What steps are we missing? All of those EXTRA steps you mentioned are just that, EXTRA. So when your marina finds that it needs to be done, you're going to be paying EXTRA as well. If you walk in and buy that $150 winterization package, and end up doing all of those 'extras' (which SHOULDN'T be 'extras') after all, you're not going to get out of there for under $300.

See you all with cracked blocks in the spring

I'll see your cracked block, and raise you a new fuel injection system!