Mechanic Problem

Something just does not sit right with me on this thread. It seems like we are getting half of a story.

Assume this guy is in fact a knowledgeable mechanic, and you wanted to have the water pump replaced. Usually mechanics will want to perform a pressure and/or vacuum test to understand if the seals were OK. Instead of leaving his equipment at your location overnight, he wanted to do the tests in his shop (possibly to prevent vandalism and/or theft of his equipment).

Let ss assume that during the test, he may have found a bad seal (or other broken part). He replaced the seal and charged your friend another $200 for parts and labor. He may have replaced this for one of two reasons: 1) he assumed your friend did not want a bad seal (or other broken part) and just went and replaced it, or 2) he did not want your friend to come back to him in the middle of the summer and blame him for a blown drive for a condition that was unrelated to the water pump.

We all get the point that this should have been documented, however, is it possible that he explained this to you and it just flew over your head?
 
Well that was not the case he put the water pump in came back put the drive on and the pump was not working. At that point he took a working pump and now made it so it did not work. He had to remove the drive and take the pump back and do the job over, there in lies the problem. At that point he calls and says he fixed the problem but now he wants extra money for the time he spent and he says he is not installing it until hes paid and he does not want us to test it. Now if I am out of line in this then the world aint right. How are we suppose to pay for this guy while he learns how to do the job right and then pay before its done and then take the job and not test it. If you do things that way then I need you for a customer. I thought I was fair we paid for his extra time anyway even thought the mistake was his fault. testing the boat took a few miniuts he was not sure he did the job right and wanted the money and wanted to run. I wouls like to report him but the question is where this guy is not right and should be stopped.
mm
 
I had a problem with a mobile mechanic who came highly recomended. Job was to pull drive replace gimbal bearing, replace bellows lube and put back together, price was reasonable. Went back together without a problem and performed well. One day I noticed my drive lube reservior was empty so I filled it. Next day a puddle of oil was under the stern, boat ws in my driveway. I called the mechanic and he said oh yeah that hose was broken before he worked on it and that someone plugged it. Now I can't be 100% sure since the boat was new to me but I would have noticed the plugged line. I suspect when he pulled the drive he didn't disconnect the hose and broke the through hull fitting. Not much I can do really as its his word against mine. I've moved on and decided to do as much work as I can myself and look for someone else.

Regards,
Tom
 
If he screwed up the first time, he should not have charged more than quoted. However, should there have been some additional work needed he should have called the owner and given him a choice of whether he wanted to pay for the work. Several years ago I had to take my car into the dealership to have the tranmission replaced. It was covered under warranty; the manufacture had issues with the transmission and extended the warranty on the transmission above the normal warranty. The dealership called me and said the front motor mount should be changed. I would have to pay for the motor mount and some labor. I agreed.
That is how things should have been done in this case. The mechanic should not have done a repair without approval. It almost sounds like this is method of operation. Get the job, tack on additional parts/labor, hold out for cash, and become irrational. Those who do their own work know that once something is taken apart, there may be some questionable parts that should be replaced. It's a matter of paying now, or tearing apart again and pay later. It's referred to 'while I am at it'.
I think we all learned from this. The same thing could have happened if it were done by a marina/dealership (although not as common).
 
What is raising a flag is that you said in your prior post:

quote:
Originally posted by mario2101

my friend gets back and says the trim does not work the tach does not work and the speedo does not work
Click to expand...


If the trim did not work, how did you put it up to tow the boat. If the trim it was already up, how did he put it down to take a spin. You do not touch the tach when you work on the outdrive so I suspect this was already broken. There is also a very good chance that the speedo already had a problem prior to the work being done.

Things are just not adding up.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Robski97

Hope walter doesnt read this... if so there goes the neighborhood !

Rob

Click to expand...


No problem,
Tell him you understand, deliver and install the drive, take a test ride to make sure all is good, if all is good, push the guy overboard, oops, done.
 
No problem,
Tell him you understand, deliver and install the drive, take a test ride to make sure all is good, if all is good, push the guy overboard, oops, done.
[/quote]
I like your style, Walter. If you're ever up this way, I'd like you to visit some people with me. Some lobster and some fine wine afterwards. My treat.
 
Well the trim worked on the motor and not at the control so we use the button on the motor to test it. The spedo goes to the drive use to work now it does not, the tack works at the engine somehow. These were issues after the boat was in the water that turned out to be wires he disconnected and then reconnected except the spedo he did not know what was wrong with that and at that point we just let it go. He fixed the other two things on the boat in just a second. But had we not tested the boat in the water we would not have found that and would have been stuck fixing it ourselfs. Now that may sound petty but you pay a guy over 800 to put a water pump in and you kinda hope everything else is the same. Myself I use Pearl Grey Marine and have always been satisfied they are upfront and fair and I guess I got use to being treated good and was a little shocked at how underhanded this guy was.
mm
 
Lesson learned don't use a backyard mechanic for anything especially not a boat. As far as impersonating an officer you should have asked to see his ID all officers even retired one's carry one. I would have reported that to the police officer before anything else. Lets say he was a LEO that still doesn't give him any priviledges in a situation like this, in fact it makes him look like a jack a**s. I am glad everything seems to have worked out. Forget the IRS they look both ways at the complaintant and the guy you turn in. Tell your friend in the future anything he can not tackle to use your marina that has done right for you.
Bill
 
I've had both of my drives off a couple of times and I can't recall ever having to disconnect any wires.
Where is the "Button" located on the drive for the trim? (I need to know because obviously mine is missing)
 
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