Winterization

[wiegs]

Im going to take my 03 glastron in for winterization and the dealer is suggesting that I replace the impeller and is going to charge $300+ on top of the winterization cost. The total will be around $800. That seems really steep to me. My boat has the 4.3 volvo engine with the penta SX drive. Current hours are 115. The engine temp all summer was 175. Should I replace it or what until I see some changes in the temp?

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: Winterization

You should replace it seasonally, at least on my Mercruiser. $800 seems pretty high.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Winterization

So you are saying $500 to WINTERIZE????? FIND ANOTHER SHOP NOW!!! Shouldn't be more than $150-200 MAX. And as far as impeller goes, wait till spring to change it, and DO NOT pay them $300 to change a $40 part that takes 30 mins (or less, depending on pump access) to replace.

 

[wired1236]

Re: Winterization

Agree that it's a $40 part and you can do it yourself. I have the same engine but an '06. It's as easy as changing your prop and should take you just as long to find your socket wrench as to replace it. Don't pay someone else to do it. The instructions are in the box. If you've never changed it, it's cheap insurance and I would do it. And by the way, my engine runs at ~130 deg but those gauges are known for not being too accurate. I just keep an eye on any major changes from "normal" and for you that seems to be 175.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Winterization

So you are saying $500 to WINTERIZE????? FIND ANOTHER SHOP NOW!!! Shouldn't be more than $150-200 MAX.

OP didn't describe what's done in the 'winterization'. If they winterize the motor, pull the outdrive, inspect it, grease the gimbal and change lube, $500. is not out of line.

I do agree that $300. to replace the impeller is nuts.

 

[KJSmitty]

Re: Winterization

Im going to take my 03 glastron in for winterization and the dealer is suggesting that I replace the impeller and is going to charge $300+ on top of the winterization cost. The total will be around $800. That seems really steep to me. My boat has the 4.3 volvo engine with the penta SX drive. Current hours are 115. The engine temp all summer was 175. Should I replace it or what until I see some changes in the temp?

For a few years I utilized my VP service center for winterization on my 2003 Volvo powered Cobalt. Total with pulling the drive was $360. Include oil, oil filter, fuel filter and gear lube. Did not include the impeller due to I wanted it changed in the spring instead. The impeller was another $110 (parts/labor).

And yes, the impeller is extremely easy to change on the 2003/newer Volvo's and is on average a $30 part...

I too advocate that you change the impeller every year (at the beginning of each season). I found one of the three that I have replaced on my VP torn/cracked with only 20 hrs on it. It was a first yet non the less made me a believer.
I now do all of my own winterization/maintenance and rarely spend more than $150 a year (and $50 of that is engine oil). This spring I changed out the original bellows as well and it was extremely easy. About $90 in parts and less than 30 min since I already had the drive off. Even if I hadn't of been a previous trained/seasoned Nissan/GM Tech (past career), I would still consider boat Mx to be extremely easy -yet must say I am speaking for my VP/boat of course...

Cheers

 

[wiegs]

Re: Winterization

Here is what is included with the $800 price tag. I have called other shops and they are almost the same as far as cost.

-Add stabilizer to fuel system
-Run engine to operating temp
-Change fuel/water separating filter
-Drain & change gear lube
-Drain engine & run on antifreeze
-Fog engine
-Change oil & filter
-Pull drive
-Check engine alignment
-Grease engine coupler, splines & u-joints
-Replace drive gasket & o-rings
-30 point checklist
-impeller replacement

 

[Aviator5]

Re: Winterization

I don't know where are you located, but it is WAY too much.
For that price it should include shrink wrapping too.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Winterization

That still sounds pretty expensive compared to around my area.

I do winterizing and service for a few people every year.That job including parts,oil,filters,ect and a new impeller would be around 400....

What labor rate are they charging?

 

[jkust]

Re: Winterization

I literally just got off the phone to set up the 100 hour service on my 2003 4.3carb Mercruiser with 108ish hours.

It will be $934 consisting of winterization and fluids/filters, drive maintainance and impeller. No tune up parts are included in that price. It is the local Chap dealer. The Marine Max is a bit cheaper with tune up parts but they put three scratches in my transom gel coat through to the white last season and I'm not taking it there again. Labor rates in Minnsota for car dealerships and boat dealerships are insane compared to some other regions. By the way the impeller is $310.

 

[KJSmitty]

Re: Winterization

Sounds to me like they are charging two extra hrs labor for their so called "30 point inspection" and maybe some run time with the antifreeze etc.....

Much of that list could be performed concurrently and the 30 point inspection is fluff (should be included regardless)... I could see maybe $500 total for what is listed but that's about it....

My VP center did everything listed minus the 30 point and antifreeze run and totaled ~ $470..

 

[sethjon]

Re: Winterization

Im going to take my 03 glastron in for winterization and the dealer is suggesting that I replace the impeller and is going to charge $300+ on top of the winterization cost. The total will be around $800. That seems really steep to me. My boat has the 4.3 volvo engine with the penta SX drive. Current hours are 115. The engine temp all summer was 175. Should I replace it or what until I see some changes in the temp?

Winterizing should only be about 125-150. the impeller replacement should be about 200-250. You definitely have found the most expensive shop I've ever heard of.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Winterization

Here is what is included with the $800 price tag. I have called other shops and they are almost the same as far as cost.

-Add stabilizer to fuel system
-Run engine to operating temp
-Change fuel/water separating filter
-Drain & change gear lube
-Drain engine & run on antifreeze
-Fog engine
-Change oil & filter
-Pull drive
-Check engine alignment
-Grease engine coupler, splines & u-joints
-Replace drive gasket & o-rings
-30 point checklist
-impeller replacement

Don't know where you live but that price is outrageous. I'm in So Cal where its usually most expensive and I'm tellingg you thats a rip off.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Winterization

I literally just got off the phone to set up the 100 hour service on my 2003 4.3carb Mercruiser with 108ish hours.

It will be $934 consisting of winterization and fluids/filters, drive maintainance and impeller. No tune up parts are included in that price. It is the local Chap dealer. The Marine Max is a bit cheaper with tune up parts but they put three scratches in my transom gel coat through to the white last season and I'm not taking it there again. Labor rates in Minnsota for car dealerships and boat dealerships are insane compared to some other regions. By the way the impeller is $310.

There has to be another shop close to you. I agree that dealerships are way too high but the other shop is stickin it to ya.

 

[jkust]

Re: Winterization

There has to be another shop close to you. I agree that dealerships are way too high but the other shop is stickin it to ya.

Ya I want to get the full tune up for that price, which Marine Max includes.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Winterization

Is there a quote on there for labor time and price per hour or are the just throwing numbers out there? That is way way way high. I do all my own work but if I paid for it would think somewhere around $400 would be fair including parts.

 

[fossill]

Re: Winterization

2 hours labour and 200 in parts and you're looking at 400 bucks. Dealers need to make money to pay the employees along with making a profit to stay in business.
Boating is a very expensive hobby.

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterization

No one here can see access to your engine and/or the raw water pump and see what it will take to change, and you really don't say what boat you have, and Glastron had a bunch of different models in 03.
I remember a couple of newer Mercruisers where I used to work, that had to have the engine removed in order to change the impeller in the engine driven pump.
Many places have $500 winterization specials that covers all engines and outdrive. Some take less, some take more. Raw water cooled engines should NEVER be run on muffs with antifreeze for freeze protections.
Have a look at items 6 & 7 in this thread.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=342393

 

[scipper77]

Re: Winterization

Here is what is included with the $800 price tag. I have called other shops and they are almost the same as far as cost.

-Add stabilizer to fuel system
-Run engine to operating temp
-Change fuel/water separating filter
-Drain & change gear lube
-Drain engine & run on antifreeze
-Fog engine
-Change oil & filter
-Pull drive
-Check engine alignment
-Grease engine coupler, splines & u-joints
-Replace drive gasket & o-rings
-30 point checklist
-impeller replacement
-Buy beers for entire shop
-Take wife to casino
-repay booky to avoid broken legs.

Fixed it for ya

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterization

Fixed it for ya
-Buy beers for entire shop
-Take wife to casino
-repay booky to avoid broken legs.

No you didn't. All you did was throw gasoline on a fire. Maybe prices in his area is more than yours. Don't jump to conclusions and think that every marine shop is out there to screw their customers, they aren't. Like most, they are trying to stay in buisness.
If you don't like someones price, don't go there. Do it yourself if you want cheap labor and low cost for parts by shopping the internet to find the cheapest parts available. But don't expect a shop to do that.