cost estimate of engine test

[mainecorvette]

Hi, I wrote a week or so ago about testing a Merc 4.3 without an outdrive attached, and many thanks for the great advice (run a hose into a port or use a cooling tool). My boatyard gave me an estimate of 5 hours to do the test. I can't imagine it would take that long to hook up a battery, run a fuel supply, stick the hose in, start engine. What would be a realistic time to perform this test? maybe five hours is right? Thanks, larry

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... It usually depends on how much Boat has to be removed, before actual mechanicin' can get goin',.....

 

[achris]

What are they testing for?

 

[superfets]

Ta Da. I hope this works. He wants someone to see if his motor that's been sitting for 2 years is still good i believe.

 

[mainecorvette]

yes, checking to see if 2-year winterized engine is OK before I invest in new outdrive. Didn't strike me that it would take 5 hours to get the engine going. Thanks, Larry

 

[Rick Stephens]

If I was doing it in my shop it would take about an hour. Moving the boat, checking all fluids, hooking up and testing electrical, hooking up water, firing it off. Don't forget unhooking and moving the boat back to storage. Only reason I can think it would take a much longer is if I was doing a full tune up, oil change, pulling plugs or any other procedures. And silly me, gotta leave time for a coffee break, I guess...

I don't do this for a living, so I'd have to look around for a hose with a cut off end to stuff in the inlet port.

 

[alldodge]

Sitting for two years can bring its own issues. Depends on where it is and what needs to be done to try and start. You mentioned hooking up a fuel supply, why would that automatically be needed? It has sat for two years, which is some time, depends on what and how your asking.

Battery, fuel supply, water and where is it

Battery and water is easy enough, where is another question. Fuel supply would tell me that I need to replace filters, flush or at least drain the lines, and bring a fuel source. If its a carb motor, may need to do some cleaning on the carb to get it to run, may not. They may be giving you a max estimate, maybe not :noidea:

 

[nola mike]

Testing to see if good to me means a compression test and maybe a coolant pressure test to make sure the block isn't cracked. Getting it *running* could take significantly longer.

 

[km1125]

Lots of variables here, especially when your're having to "fab some stuff up" to get it to work. Have to think about what you're going to use - hoses, adapters, clamps to get gas and water into the engine and then tear down that stuff when done. If it hasn't been run for years, it may take some troubleshooting just to get it to start. They might be able to do it for less, especially if they've already been able to see what they are getting into. If they're quoting sight-unseen, then 5 hours is reasonable.