Can I get my money back?

[rainman1999]

This is a long, ongoing problem, ever since I bought this boat. It is a beautiful boat, clean and well kept, only 10 years old. A 1999 Stingray 240cs with a 5.7 L mercruiser EFI, Alpha-one which I bought in the off season after hearing it run on muffs only. I did the simple stuff, drained the fuel, new water-separating filter, plugs , distributer, rotor,oil and filter. Along came spring and it just won't run right. No hole shot, no top end, low WOT RPMs. This thing sounds great, screams on the muffs, actually. I was baffled so I decided to bite the bullet and leave it to the pros. Told him to put her on the diagnostic machine cause whatever was wrong had to be electrical, sensor or whatever, just please figure it out! Well he fixed her(supposedly) $330.00. MAP sensor and adjusted the shift cable. I was smiling all the way to the launch! Well, I gave her some throttle and there was no difference at all,whatsoever! Called him up and he said it must be the Prop. I put the original prop back on ( I had one from my other boat, but it was a 19 in. pitch also.) and no difference.Now I am a little upset. He says bring it in. Now $330.00 dollars later, new fuel regulator kit and 3 hrs labor( new plugs cause the new ones were all fouled up) Took her out today with 4 adults and 2 kids and at WOT I couldn't even plane off, 12 mph, and maybe 3000 rpms. It is worse than I recall. The first few times I drove her I could eventually plane out and get 30mph anyway. So I need A real mechanic to take her for a water test because on the muffs just isn't the same. I told him that from the get go and he said, "We got a dyno, don't worry we'll figure it out" He is a legit marina and I am wanting to punch him at this point. can I get a refund? I don't doubt he spent 3 hours both times, but I can change each sensor until I get it right myself, I don't need to pay 70.00/ hr for guess work!! I want to get my money back, or my boat fixed right, period. Am I wrong? sorry for the long post.

 

[buddybarnhill]

Re: Can I get my money back?

i deffinitley think you should get your money back that is bull crap complete and utter crap im the same way i can change all the sensors lol and it dont take 3 hours to put a fuel kit on lol

 

[mkast]

Re: Can I get my money back?

i deffinitley think you should get your money back

So, how long have you been a lawyer?


Go back to the vendor.
Give him a chance to right the wrong.
Don't walk in there with an attitude.
Remind him about the money already spent, when the time is appropriate.
You have spent XXX amount of money, go in there with the attitude of trying to get something for your money.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Can I get my money back?

ran it wot on muffs? you are going to hear it from the boyz

 

[Don S]

Re: Can I get my money back?

Is he actually a Mercruiser certified dealer? with mechanics that have been to EFI Mercruiser training, tech manuals and service bulletins, using the proper Merc test equipment, and also has Merc Technical assistance hot line if needed? or just someone that works on boats?
If it's the latter, good luck.

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Can I get my money back?

I had the same problem years ago with a boat I had. Ran great on the muffs, but once in the lake it ran like crap. Ended up being the points, but it took a different mechanic (one that was on the Lake that could RUN IT UNDER A LOAD) and problem was fixed.

A buddy of mine is going through the same thing. His boat ran like crap took it to a guy that adjusted the carb, new spark plugs, fresh oil etc and still runs like crap ($600.00 later). Took it back and said it had blown head gasket ($700.00 later), still runs like crap. Now he says it is one of the valves sticking ($500.00 yet to be paid). Will it ever be fixed?? Should he pay???

Take it back and like stated earlier DO NOT COP AN ATTITUDE! Tell him you just want what you paid for a good running boat. I am pretty sure if you give him a chance he will fix it.

 

[rainman1999]

Re: Can I get my money back?

He is a certified merc dealer. And has a new shop, his shop burned down 2 years ago. everything is new, a $10,000 computerized diagnostic machine. (supposedly) He said all the codes were cleared, I should be all set. Thought I may have the wrong gear ratio in the drive, but the numbers are all original. The engine is a certified merc. remanufactured , all registered with mercruiser so it is only 4yrs. old probably. I don't know what to do. I would be happy to spend the money if it were right. I realize this boat won't take off like my little 19 footer, but something is definitely not right.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can I get my money back?

everything is new, a $10,000 computerized diagnostic machine.

Sounds good, but all the diagnostic equipment Merc has out doesn't cost that much. And codes aren't everything. Usually you have to do several tests to deterimine what is wrong.
Would bet you end up finding a fuel system problem other than an actual engine problem. And nothing like that sets codes.
Everybody thinks that with a code reader that everything you need to do is spelled out for you .... WRONG ......
Not the way it works.
Is your engine TBI or MPI?
Take the boat for a quick run and run it on a 6 gallon outboard tank with new gas in it, and hooked directly to the engine mounted fuel pump, in place of the boats fuel tank and see what happens.
Also, replace the engine fuel filter, and see if there is any water in the old one. Check some fuel pressures, compression on the engine. Lots of things other than "Codes" has to be checked.

 

[rainman1999]

Re: Can I get my money back?

No, I didn't run it WOT on the muffs. I did put it in gear and get it up to 4800 rpms to see if it actually gets there with no load. Under load it's a whole new ballgame

 

[rainman1999]

Re: Can I get my money back?

Don s. would you be willing to come up here and troubleshoot her for me? LOL. It is a TBI engine to answer your question. I wouldn't know how to hook up a 6 gallon tank to my system. I am hanging upside down looking at stuff under the hood.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can I get my money back?

It would get well over 4800 rpm on muffs if you took half of the plug wires off.

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Can I get my money back?

I agree you need it under a load to get to the root of the problem. And like said earlier the codes will not always tell you the problem. Does not sound like a gear problem I would check the fuel system out, do you know where your gas tank is in your boat?

 

[MICHAEL28]

Re: Can I get my money back?

My boat was doing this and it was the thunderbolt ignition system. 1987 4.3. It was great on muffs, but once under a load then it wouldn't get it up out of the water. I removed distributor cap and cleaned off the pick up magnet and it takes off like no other. Whenever it would take off I would smell gas real bad, so I looked into the ignition system because this doesn't have mechanical points it increases spark intensity from motor speed.

 

[rainman1999]

Re: Can I get my money back?

My gas tank is under the deck, can't even see it. 65 gallons worth.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Can I get my money back?

If it's southern ME I may bite

 

[Don S]

Re: Can I get my money back?

Bangor area.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Can I get my money back?

ahhh... that's not to bad.... only 240 miles each way...

 

[rainman1999]

Re: Can I get my money back?

I'm in Lewiston, but I have a slip on the Kennebec river.

 

[rainman1999]

Re: Can I get my money back?

I brought it to a different marina that takes the boats for on the water test before they tell you your "all set". The big question is how deep will I have to dig into my pockets!!?

 

[Don S]

Re: Can I get my money back?

Shops charge by the hour. That includes taking the boat to the water and testing it. Unless they have their own personal ramp, and it's very close buy, consider 3 hours for a test run about minimum.