Is the quote insane?

[poolecw]

I just got quoted $600 for rebuilding the carbs on my '84 Johnson 150 V6. I got the same quote from two different shops. That seems way out of line to me. Am I wrong on this? If a rebuild costs $15 each, thats $45 in total parts. At $80/hr in labor, they are estimating 7 hours to rebuild three carbs.

Looks like I will be learning how to rebuild some carburators.....LOL

 

[MASTER Brian]

I wouldn't pay that, but probably not out of line for a shop. In my opinion they aren't that hard to rebuild, if you just pay attention to what you are doing and are somewhat mechanically inclined. My suggestion is to start with one carb, take pictures or whatever you need to do to remember how it came apart, and tear it down and start the rebuild. IF you get stuck on where something went, then start the 2nd, until you get the 1st back together, then finish the 2nd, if stuck again, start the 3rd, by this time you should have a pretty good idea of what you are doing! I'd buy some chem tool or something to soak them in to clean out all passages, then blow them with air to insure they are clean. I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I've successfully rebuilt the carbs on my E-150 XP and my Johnson 50hp, as well as a few jetski carbs.

Once rebuild and on the boat, I pay the local shop about $100 to have them tune them! Some people are patient enough to figure that out, I'm not one of them! I don't like messing with stuff on the water!! Plus, if they tune them, I know they are right!!

Good luck!!

 

[HighTrim]

As stated, cleaning the carb is the easy part. What takes some time, that some forget about, is the tear down, cleaning, rebuild, reinstall, greasing,oiling, then the linc n sync and tuning after putting in the test tank. That is often the most time consuming part of the whole thing, other than waiting for the carbs to soak. It is high, but not out of line for a shop quote. BOAT= Break Out Another Thousand!

 

[glenn property of pam]

watch a few u-tube videos and then decide if you are going to do it correctly or skip the part where they remove the welsh plugs. If you plan to skip that part then break out $600 and pay someone to do it.
Shops have to charge time and material but on older motors they have to add some fluff as 30 year old nuts bolts and screws can be a pain to get out.