Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

[vonway]

how much should i expect to pay to have my mechanic replace the esa on my 88 v8 omc .. ? <br />I know it costs $100.. and I could easily replace it myself, however i figure i would throw him a bone , since he figured out my problem from previous posts, with not running ... rough runnin. Any ideas..?? thanks

 

[BEANSTALKER]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

Most mechanics average 30.00/hr, that's what i charge my customers & this part can be replaced & adjusted in 20 minutes or less. The most he should charge is $50.00.

 

[vonway]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

I believe my guy charges $60/hr. but still 20 minutes ... i should not expect to pay more than 150.00... we;ll see. is it difficult to adjust?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

There is nothing to adjust on the module itself if thats truly what the problem is, 2 mounting screws, 1 ground wire screw and 2 connectors and your done.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

not on the 88 OMC V8. The original ESA is obsolete and the replacement required a minor wiring mod and a mod to the mounting bracket. I did it myself and it took over 1/2 hour. I have same outdrive and engine

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

Also, if you replace the ESA, I suggest you get the CDI/Rapair 123-9898-P as it is compatible with Pertronics if you some day decide to upgrade to electronic ignition. Price at go2marine was $84. I just got one last week to work with my Pertronics distributor upgrade.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

vatter41, did you finish your electronic ignition upgrade? If so, how did it go, any problems or adjustments you needed to make? if not, let us know when you're done.

 

[vonway]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

thanks for the input vatter.... hey, i wish i could get the ignition upgraded, however, when i purchased the boat the original owner had just put in a upgrade kit, and seemed to work fine untill the fall, when it suddenly started running rough, and this past winter, my mechanic found that it was my problem and said the unit was not compatible with my dist. (pertronix) anyway, he replaced the distribuor with a mallory and back to points... I kinda hate them... im not old school and i like technology, especially with starting an engine and maintenance... ohe well... Actually the condensor and points had to be changed/ adjusted just this past week ,, Already!

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

I have installed the ignition and it seems to work just fine b ut not substantially different from the original as far as engine performance (I dont know about efficience as I have only had the boat on the water for a half hour since the upgrade). It turned out all I had to do was to undo the wiring changes (to eliminate the overstroke switch) the replacement OMC ESA required a couple of years ago. The Pertronics distributor required an ignition controlled +12V (and so did the new Pertronics Flame Thrower coil, no ballast resistor required). I got this from the ESA wireharness right near the distributor so no long wires to run. The distributor just dropped in. I think this system is going to payoff in less maintenance and somewhat improved high RPM efficience in the long run. I just havent had the time to spend on the water to really compare. (Wife has decided to throw a BIG party and LOTS of Honey-Do stuff to do!!) I'd rater be running 60MPH with my hair on fire (as she says) on the water, believe me. This also has releived some of my bogging issue but not 100%. I am going to bite the bullet and pull off the drive and inspect the exhaust system. I know the issue is not in the engine side, I replaced the engine and every exhaust parut inside the boat. New fuel system too (carb, intake manifold, steel lines High side and new rubber lines low side, new fuel pump, new pick up tube and antisiphon, vent clear). Seems only exhaust in the drive left.

 

[vonway]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

your 5 liter does 60mph... what size boat is that in..?

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

Almost 60, more like 55 to 57 depending on water conditions (smoother the better). I have an 88 Bayliner 1950 Capri (Open Bow) which orginally had a Chevy 305 on an OMC drice. I have put in a slightly modified 350 (maybe 300HP). I have the best results on top end with a Stainless 14.25x21.

 

[vonway]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

damn my 21 ft..only does betw 35-40 tops at 4000rpm... prop is a 15x17

 

[vonway]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

but only 305 and 235 hp

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

my old 5.0 did 52 easy with a 14.25x19 at 4800 rpm and pretty much the same 55 with the 21 pitch SS. I think my boat weights around 2800 lbs. Yours is a bit bigger and likely heavier. What kind of boat is it??

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

Most mechanics and shops have a 1 hour minimum. If they travel to your site, you may have more charged for milage and/or time.<br /><br />The national average is around $65 per hour, but talk to your mechanic and see what he charges.

 

[vonway]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

thanks seahorse.... vatter , it is a Fourwinns Sundowner - cuddy 21'

 

[vonway]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

Maybe my speedo is incorrect .. how could i know???

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

yknots...best thing to do is pick up or borrow a handheld GPS and do a comparison between it and your speedo, regular boat speedo's with a water pickup through a pitot tube or even through a lower unit pickup are rarely 100% correct or reliable<br /><br />vatter41...if your pumping out 300 hp to a regular Cobra drive, how long do you figure it's going to last? Maybe you need to look around for one of the bigger Cobras's they put on the big blocks in the late 80's?

 

[vonway]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

Well, yesterday the mechanic came out and put on the new ESA that he purchased./. installed in like 20 min. and when he tested the shifter, it hesiated for a couple seconds, really didnt seem right. the old one was better. so after a few adjustments , and no luck, he decides the part isnt the same... it was what the boat called for, but didnt work the same,. After comparing the two parts, he realizd some sort of jumper wire on the original, and the new didnt have this. So the old is back on and runs good for now. Any advice

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Cost for mechanic to replace ESA.. OMC

Boatin Bob, I have thought about this. A I understand, the upper is the same as the King Cobra anyway. One of these days I'll have to replace the drive anyway so when that time comes I'll make the switch (if I still have this boat). I am just starting to shop for a newer one. As most boaters say, (and Cubs fans) wait till next year!!