Another Stupid Question From Yet Another Rookie

[BarryBum]

OK, here is the story. I had (key word here....HAD) a 15 foot bowrider with a 1971 Model Johnson 100hp outboard. I sold the boat a few weeks ago (looking for a pontoon now), the week before I sold the boat my wife and I had the boat on the lake, and it ran fine. The boat has always been very hard to start. I had to prime it a lot, but after about 5-8 minutes of trying to start it, it always started. Now after the initial hard start, it ran perfect. Cranked with just a bump of the key. I talked with some other owners of the older Johnson and they all told me that they were hard to start. OK, here is the good part. When I sold the boat, I told the guy that bought it, that the boat was hard to start. I offered to take him to the lake and show him the ropes but he refused, so I just put the muffs on the engine and showed him how to crank it. I told him again that the boat was hard to start. After about 5 minutes of trying the boat started and it ran for a few minutes. I showed him how easy it started AFTER the initial hard start. He was happy and took the boat and went on his way. Well, this morning he shows up and my house wanting me to pay half of the $500 bill that it took to get the boat "fixed". Supposedly, he took the boat to a jack leg mechanic and the mechanic told him that the coil pack was bad and this was the reason for the hard starts and it was only running on 3 cylinders. Now, i am not a genuis, but I have been around enough cars to know, that if a cylinder is dead, you would DEFINATELY know it. Like I said, I just had the boat out the week before he bought it, and it ran fine......34-36 mph fully loaded. My question is mainly this.....would a bad coil pack just mean hard starts, or would a bad coil pack mean no run at all? And would a dead cylinder be easy to detect when the boat was in the water and running????<br />Any ideas, comments or suggestions are always appreciated. Thanks

 

[Admin5]

Re: Another Stupid Question From Yet Another Rookie

Per your post title, I am sure someone here is going to help you out. Please don't ever feel embarrased or stupid about asking any legitimate question here. You'll soon see that no one ridicules but just tries to help.

 

[ShafferNY]

Re: Another Stupid Question From Yet Another Rookie

"Buyer Beware". If he bought the boat knowing the problem, then it's his problem! Did you write "as is" on the bill of sale, if so he can't do a thing about it. <br /><br />That is the exact reason I hate to sell anything, because you always have that one person that keeps pestering you after they buy sometime. Once you buy it, it's yours. The only time I don't mine the new owner contacting me is if he/she needs some information about the vehicle.<br /><br />As for it not running on all four cylinders. Yes, you definitly know the difference and lack of power. I don't think that a missfiring cylinder would cause hard starts, that sounds more like a fuel problem.

 

[Down South]

Re: Another Stupid Question From Yet Another Rookie

Hello BarryBum, <br />It sounds like you sold the boat in good faith that everything was well with the exception of the hard start. You explained this to the buyer to the best of your knowledge. It was the buyers responsibility to check the boat out or have it checked out before he bought it. Reguardless if it were a electrical problem or not after he bought the boat he also bought the problem.<br />I hate situations like this to. I wish everything were like roses all the time. It makes us all feel bad when we sell something and there is a problem we were unaware of.<br />Truth is, it's his baby now and his responsibility. Paying for part of the repairs is completely up to you unless you signed a contract or gave a warranty on it.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[gw204]

Re: Another Stupid Question From Yet Another Rookie

Agreed. You made the buyer aware of the hard start problem. It is always the buyers responsibility to have the boat checked out before buying if not guarantees are made by the seller. As much as it sucks for him to pay that bill and knowing he will probably bad mouth you to everyone he knows, it's his own fault.<br /><br />If you choose to go above and beyond and help him out, I recommend having your mechanic check the motor out to verify the accusations. I don't know about anyone else, but I smell a scam!! It could very well be as simple as the method of starting. That what my hard starting problem turned out to be last summer.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Another Stupid Question From Yet Another Rookie

I totaly agree with everyone including never be afraid to ask a question. <br /><br />It would be a different story if he came to you first and asked. But to just show up with his hand out......hummmmmmm. <br /><br />You wouldn't believe how often this happens.<br /><br />Sorry you have to go through it.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Another Stupid Question From Yet Another Rookie

Just thought of something. If you went to a Chevy dealer and bought a vehicle (new or used) and went back and handed him a bill for 500.00, what do you think he would say?<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Another Stupid Question From Yet Another Rookie

Besides, that motor has only one coil that feeds a distributor cap thru a rotor. Maybe he meant a pulse pack.<br /><br />Either way it was his choice to go it alone and authorize repairs wit or without an estimate.<br /><br />Sorry about the multiple posts but that kind of stuff bothers me.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Another Stupid Question From Yet Another Rookie

BarryBum, you did everything in good faith here. You made the buyer aware at point of sale and showed that person, your proceedure with that problem. <br /><br />A bad coil is evedent from start thru the entire rpm range. A coil on a motor will usually be worse with heat and moisture then not running, cold and dry which was the reverse in this case.<br /><br />Tell this buyer to take the old part and have it tested at an auto store if he has any questions. Many stores have testers for Batteries, Alternators, coils, modules etc. and I am pretty sure there is nothing wrong with it. <br /><br />You may have to resort to the threat of having the local constabulary remove him from your property, if he doesn't leave immediately.<br />If there are any grumblings, call them.<br />I would NEVER suggest this drastic messure at all but some people who show up at your door demanding money are angry already and defy logic.<br />You and your family's safety come first, period.

 

[fireman 757]

Re: Another Stupid Question From Yet Another Rookie

I agree with everyone else. This guy now owns this boat and the repair bill. Print this post out and show it to him. If he tells the truth he would feel the same way you do if he had sold the boat to you.