maintenance recourse?

[yvon358]

Hi,<br />I'm new to this forum... any help will be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />My question really has more to do w/legalities and recourse than actual engine repair (although, if I can't get the boat fixed, I'll probably ask your advice).<br /><br />We took our boat in for repair because it began to backfire, hesitate, and lose speed btwn 30 and 40mph. After $1,500.00 worth of repairs we took the boat out and the problem actually seemed worse. Still backfiring and hesitating, although now, it cut out and we were dead on the water.<br /><br />Called the mechanic who tried to walk us through some things but to no avial. We eventually got it started but had to throw it into gear to keep it going. It cut out several times and we kept repeating the process until we got back to shore. We took the boat back for repair. The mechanic said it was a different problem and charged us another $200.00 to fix it. Well.... the boat has no problem starting now, however, it still backfires (albeit, less than before) and now won't even go above 35mph.<br /><br />My question is this... do I have a right to ask for my original $1500.00 back? They did a lot of stuff, however, none of those things fixed our problem. I'd be willing to pay the $200.00 because we have no problem w/the boat starting (although that problem didn't start until after we took it to this particular marina). But I'm wondering if I have any recourse as far as my original $1500.00 is concerned.<br /><br />Please email me privately (w/a copy to the forum if you wish), if possible. I'm so computer illiterate and don't want to miss your answers.<br />Thanks,<br />yvon358@netzero.net

 

[rodbolt]

Re: maintenance recourse?

Hello<br /> I am not a lawyer but have been dealing with this excact problem for years in both the auto and marine industry. make detailed copies of all work done. ask for all the old parts back. ask for copies of any diagnostic printouts. what type of boat ,motor year horsepower etc etc. I have a 1995 225 in my shop now that was "rebuilt" and ran less then 3 hours before tossing a rod through the block.now the customer doesnot wish to pay. the marina that did the work says the 30 day warrenty has expired the boat is here the man lives in MD.next time the repair bill is that high demand a water test with a marina autherized rep. you may have to pay an extra 50-100 dollars<br /><br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[Walt T]

Re: maintenance recourse?

You should consult with an attorney. Laws vary from state to state, but you are the victim of flat out incompetence or fraud, period. Sometimes a phone call from an attorney is all that's needed.<br />I doubt you will get your original 1500 back, but the shop should ethically charge you no more until the problem is fixed.<br />You don't say what engine/drive you have, we could possibly help with that information.<br />At the very least, stop going to that mechanic and make sure all your boating friends know about him.<br />We boaters have to look out for each other.

 

[yvon358]

Re: maintenance recourse?

Rodbolt..<br /><br />Thanks so much for your quick reply. I will do the things you suggested but does this mean I have any recourse? With all the work they did, is it fair to return my money? <br /><br />My view is if all that work would not have fixed the problem, I would not have authorized it. My assumption was they were repairing the problem, hence authorizing $1500.00 worth of repairs. They even stated it was fixed after both times in the shop. They did take it out for a test on the water but said they had no problems w/it.<br /><br />This is a very large marina. I assumed (you know what you get) because it was so large it probably had a good reputation. We really don't know where to go at this point. I would like my money back, though, so I can try to get it fixed elsewhere.<br /><br />Thanks again,<br /><br />yvon358@netzero.net

 

[MrBill]

Re: maintenance recourse?

Rodbolt and Diesel both give good advice. The suggestion to get the old parts is a good one. My son just had a charging problem and was told it was the alternator, being 65 miles from home he had the mechanic replace it ($365). Knowing the Ol'Yankee in Dad, he requested the old alternator. A week later, same problem, system not charging...I bench tested the old alternator and was in front of that mechanic in a heartbeat with my $365-hand out.<br /><br />The point that I want to get across is that proper diagnosis is critical and requires a logical and repeatable process. With the diagnostic printouts and old parts you can tell if the mechanic really knows what he's doing.<br /><br />$1700 is a lot of money, and you desrve some answers...what was done, what parts were replaced, and why? If you haven't already, go to the owner or Manager of the Marina and discuss the issue, if they're reputable they'll want to fix it, if not you'll need to tell everyone how rotten they are. Always pay by credit card...if service is not properly rendered, refuse payment, trust me it works. Good luck...and let us know who that marina is...

 

[Bondo]

Re: maintenance recourse?

I don't know if you'll Ever get your money back.......<br />But, I see a Dirty Fuel Filter..... <br />Maybe a Clogged/ Dirty Carburator.....<br /><br />I also see a bunch of Thieves working at your Marina.....

 

[yvon358]

Re: maintenance recourse?

I posted this morning asking about any recourse I might have regarding our boat troubles. Thanks for all the suggestions.<br /><br />I'm giving the details of the problem... many of you have been so kind as to offer to perhaps "diagnose" our problem. Here goes:<br /><br />We own a 1990, 21', Larson I/O. The block was replaced w/a rebuilt Jasper in 1995. The engine is a V6, 175hp, Mercruiser.<br /><br />Two weeks before Hurricane Isabel we took our boat out and it started backfiring. It hesitated and lost rpm's... wouldn't go over 3,000rpms.<br /><br />Here are the repairs... Marina said boat wouldn't start (we never had that problem) so they tightened battery cables. Found bad ground on block and repaired. Port exhaust manifold has hole btwn 3 & 5... removed port side exhaust manifold. Steel plug in cylinder head is rusted through. They replaced both exhaust risers, manifold, and gaskets. Replaced spark plugs (they said we had the wrong plugs in... my husband has been doing basic maintenance for years... plugs were manufacturer recommended... the only thing my husband can think of is perhaps the auto parts store gave him the wrong ones). This cost us $1,500.00<br /><br />Final water test 'OK'.<br /><br />We took the boat out and it ran worse. It not only backfired and hesitated, it totally cut out. We could not start it. Kept trying to start it... eventually ignition caught... we threw it into gear... got about 10 yards and it cut out again. We repeated this process until we got back to shore.<br /><br />Took the boat back... they said it's a different problem... boat won't start. Diagnosis = bad ignition coil and intermittent voltage due to twisted ignition amplifier harness. They replaced both. Said they ran it up to 4500rpms in the water and it was fine. This cost us another $270.00<br /><br />P/u boat again.... still backfires only much less. Doesn't hesitate, however, it now won't go above 35mph.<br /><br />My original question was ... would it be fair of them to return our 1st $1500. or is that being unreasonable? I would rather get my $ back and go somewhere else than continue to get the run-around. 3 strikes, you're out, in my book.<br />All help greatly appreciated. You folks have been great.<br /><br />yvon358@netzero.net

 

[andrewgroup]

Re: maintenance recourse?

Make it a point to pay for all repairs with a Visa or Master Charge repair. Their lawyers work for free on your behalf. Submitting all of your material and documentation to them is easy and the results in situations like this is normally fast.<br /><br />If you wrote a check, then check with the state attorney generals office to determine if boat repairs are covered my lemon laws and you will likely have to run the course of repairs. Requesting specific details of repair work done so far is a good tip.<br /><br />You could request them to provide you with another diagnosis report before any more work is performed. It's possible the work they are saying needs to be done was the original trouble. I would also request copies of the mechanics certifications to service your boat. Ask what was the service persons name prior to asking for the certs.<br /><br />After recieving a report from them, consider taking the boat to another shop with certified mechs and request a diagnosis report.<br /><br />Also talk to a local sign shop for the cost of making a large sign so you can protest outside on public property about your disastifaction with the shop. Also consider taking advantage of your ISP's free web site and put that information on your sign....(This is 100% affective) the owner of the business does not want to see you protesting his business.

 

[mabbott]

Re: maintenance recourse?

The back firing is an indication of water in the fuel. Add the proper amount of Dry Gas or typical water absorber. About $1.00 per bottle. Change your fuel filter. My fee is free.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: maintenance recourse?

y---You could try small claims court, but from what you describe, they probably did $1500 of work, it just did not fix your problem. You get a court date and take all your documents, argue in front of the judge till he/she gets tired of listening, and see what the judge says.<br /><br />Attorney work at this point is going to cost you $100 per hour or more. You might get results with one letter from your attorney to the marina threatening a lien against their assets until your boat is fixed properly. They have to fix your boat before they can borrow any money at the bank.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Bondo]

Re: maintenance recourse?

they probably did $1500 of work, it just did not fix your problem.

And you Really Did Need the work Done.......<br />I don't Think you have a Case At All......<br />Just Bad Luck,+ a Half-A$$ed Mechanic, Who Missed out on More Work that Needs Doing(Your 1st Problem).....