Mercury outboard question?

[3kids]

I recently got a 1987 70 horse thunderbolt from a friend thats just been sitting for awhile.. I took it in to a merc. marine mechanic to get it running better and fix whatever needed to be fixed.

Well after $527 for a new switch box and installation i finally was able to take out the boat last thursday. Ten minutes into the boat ride I was running with loss of power. I took the boat back immediately and asked the guy to diagnose the problem and how long he gauranteed his work.

He got back to me and said he'd have to rebuild the cylinder, probably b/c of the old gas/oil mixture.. I put new gas and oil - 50:1 ratio before i took it out on its maiden voyage.

My Question. Should this have been discovered during the inspection and testing period? ie. compression test or any other tests he should have done?
Is it worth it do go through with the rebuild?

thanks for your responses..

 

[Dave1027]

Re: Mercury outboard question?

OMFG. This proves exactly what I was posting about in another thread about how most people in the boat biz are crooks. If I were you I'd go get my money back for the switchbox and try to find a decent merc mechanic. Good luck finding one. If the guy refuses, sue his ***. That's what I did. They only pull their crap because they usually get away with it.

Only decent outboard motor mechanic I have ever had the pleasure to deal with was a Johnson Evinrude guy. He refused to touch black motors.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Mercury outboard question?

A compression test should have been the first thing done, yes. Unfortunately, he can always say (and it is remotely possible) that it tested fine at the shop, then blew when you took it out. Ask him for some kind of proof that he tested the compression.

In any event, if this guy charged $527 for installing a switchbox, he's surely a crook--even if that price included the whole battery of ignition component tests, which wouldn't take more than 20-30 minutes, and which you should also get some proof of.

I agree that in any event you should try to get at least some of the money back--maybe the labor costs, since there didn't seem to be any labor. That motor is barely worth $527 running, much less blown.

If the motor is in otherwise good shape, it may be worthwhile to get a rebuild--though likely not with that guy. But IMO, unless you can DIY it, I'd part that baby out and be looking for a repower.

 

[3kids]

Re: Mercury outboard question?

Thanks guys.. that's what i thought. I had the discussion with him already today.. he told me, "you pay for parts and the labor i'll take care of" but at the 600.00 cost to fix it.. thats a no.

anyone else got an opinion that would be helpful.