Hot Mess

[jamjh1969]

I have a 1986 Johnson 175 outboard with a VRO bypass. I've sunk almost $4000 into it so far and want to make sure I'm not getting hosed. So far on the first round he has installed a new wiring harness, stator, flywheel, coil packs, plugs, all new throttle body and cables, adjusted linkage, and some other stuff I can't remember but it was a lot. When I got it home and tried to start it, it would blow the fuse. After some research I found a wire that I think went to the VRO pump, so I disconnected it and the motor would start but the kill switch wouldn't work and I would have to push the key in for the choke to shut off the motor. Round 2, I took it back he said he fixed the electrical but it needed the lower unit replaced. Thankfully I had an 1987 Evinrude 150 XP that I was able to use the lower unit off of. When I got it home I hooked up the water ears tried to start it and it blew the fuse. I replaced the fuse tried to start it again and got it to turn over but not start and the key switch started rotating freely. I tightened the nut around it and it held in place and I got it started and was able to engage forward and reverse but didn't think to test the kill switch. So, I took it to the lake tried to start it and it blew a fuse. I replaced the fuse got it started let it idle for a bit took the kill switch off and it kept running and I had to push in the key to choke it and shut it off. I restarted it and when I put it in gear it died immediately. From then on when I tried to start it, it would turn over and immediately die and I couldn't get it started again. So anyone got any ideas as to what is going on and if this guy is hosing me over? Sorry so long winded, but I'm trying to give as much detail as possible.

 

[tphoyt]

Wow!
Sounds like you need to ask around about the mechanic and see what you can find out.
I hate to say it but you could very well be being dragged over the coals. What was the original problem you were having and why were all these parts replaced? Were they used parts?

 

[jamjh1969]

Wow!
Sounds like you need to ask around about the mechanic and see what you can find out.
I hate to say it but you could very well be being dragged over the coals. What was the original problem you were having and why were all these parts replaced? Were they used parts?

The original problem was the motor was old and maintenance wasn't really ever done by the previous owner. I mainly bought it for the boat and hoped the motor could be fixed. Got the boat for $4500 and the boat by itself booked for almost $9000.

 

[tphoyt]

Personally I wouldn’t steer anyone into a $4,000 fix on a neglected motor but that’s just me. Hard to say without actually seeing what you have there.

 

[jamjh1969]

I'm going to try to find a for sur known reputable mechanic and see what they say. This guy had good reviews, but now days anyone can get themselves good or bad ratings by manipulation of the system. That's why I really don't trust ratings or reviews anymore.

 

[tphoyt]

Agreed. Word of mouth is the best review these days. It’s hard to find a shop that will work on the older motors. Just start asking around and you may find someone doing this stuff that has a known good reputation.
Best

 

[jamjh1969]

Thanks for the input I really appreciate it.

 

[Chris1956]

You also might see if the new mechanic has experience with the older motors, like yours. Maybe look for a mechanic in his 50s or 60s. A lot of shops will not work on motors older than 20 years. I presume you boat in freshwater.

 

[garbageguy]

Agreed. Word of mouth is the best review these days. It’s hard to find a shop that will work on the older motors. Just start asking around and you may find someone doing this stuff that has a known good reputation.
Best

Yes, agreed.
Even the Marina I've had good working relationship for over 10 years (in/out, storage, slip, etc), and now I'm kinda stuck with their service dept b/c I recently have no way to move 'er, or place to work on 'er - just doesn't seem to want my service business. So I'm considering my options now, including using a local mechanic who is good and trustworthy. It seems this marina who brokered this boat (originally bought there), is no longer interested in taking my $ to service it. Their interest (profit) must be in newer boats with credit-card-captains. It must also be difficult for them to find any good employees in the world as it is today.

 

[jamjh1969]

It's getting harder to find marine mechanics now days especially trustworthy ones.

 

[airshot]

Hopefully you paid the bill with a good credit card, then you could stop payment and make the mechanic fix it right or he wouldnt get paid. Nowadays, I use my garenteed services credit card to pay for services, if there is an issue, the funds are held until the issue is resolved.

 

[topgun3690]

Hopefully you paid the bill with a good credit card, then you could stop payment and make the mechanic fix it right or he wouldnt get paid.

Don't know the law where you are, but if you do that where I live the mechanic can put a lien on your car, boat or whatever.....and repossess it until you pay. Would have to fight it in court.....it is a racket designed to protect the shop.

 

[airshot]

Been there, done that...fact is he did not fix it and the court should see that. It is also against the kaw to charge folks for work not done correctly. If you have a reciept that says it is fixed and it doesn't run....case closed !!

 

[topgun3690]

" It is also against the kaw to charge folks for work not done correctly " This is a Civil case, not a Criminal one.....sadly the law favors the shops in these cases.

 

[airshot]

I feel for ya, finding good people is a crap shoot. Over my 60 years of driving I have had to take a few shops to court...the only one I lost was the one I hired an attorney to present my case, after that I just did it myself, but kept records of everything and lots of pictures !!