Tune ups
- Thread starter Stolat
- Start date
- Joined
- May 25, 2003
- RO Number
- 11591
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- 1,986
Plugs, Wires, Distributer Cap, points (if equipped), Rotor, Clean or replace Spark arrestor,
though not strictly engine parts add replacing fuel filters.
What is included is often determined by inspection. Dist cap and wires may look good or be in bad shape.
Some mechanics are very cautious and replace most everything hoping to avoid call backs and unhappy customers. Customers may object to high bills but they will object to failures even more. Parts aren't very expensive compared to labor.
What is included is often determined by inspection. Dist cap and wires may look good or be in bad shape.
Some mechanics are very cautious and replace most everything hoping to avoid call backs and unhappy customers. Customers may object to high bills but they will object to failures even more. Parts aren't very expensive compared to labor.
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 2612
- Messages
- 849
I would expect a tune up to include the timing to be checked/adjusted..
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2004
- RO Number
- 12714
- Messages
- 615
It depends on your service history. If this mechanic does your boat annually he should be telling you what it needs this season. If he is seeing the boat for the first time he will want to replace everything. Full tune-up is cap,rotor,plugs,plug wires and filters including setting timing and adjusting carbs. A 1993 boat should be electronic ignition so no points or condenser but the pick-up sensor should be inspected because they get rusty. So what is your concern? Do you think he did more than he should have or not enough?
New mechanic for me, I've been with him for a year. Was billed for a tune up which included new cap, rotor, spark plugs & fuel filters. I was told the wires were good. I picked up the boat a week later than expected due to some issues in the yard. It turns out my boat wasn't winterized correctly. Thankfully (I think) the engines were winterized however the sea strainers weren't back filled with anti freeze so they were blown apart when the water froze. They needed more time to address blown sea strainers which they did at their cost.
Picked up the boat a week later, boat idled fine, got on plane fine but bogged when I went to WOT on starboard side. Engine was surging then dropping RPM, then surging, then dropping RPM. Port engine was fine.
Addressed issues with mechanic when I went back with partial payment of bill. Told him I was going to review a/c sea strainer as well as starboard engine issue. Found an error on the bill as I was billed for 3 batteries when only 1 was replaced. Mechanic admitted his mistake when he wrote the bill up. Was he trying to recoup cost of blown sea strainers though???
Reviewed spark plug wires to see if they were properly seated to distributor cap & plugs. Inspected distributor cap, it was last years and was not replaced although I was billed for it.
Flame arrestor was not cleaned.
Those, amongst some other things, are my issues. Not sure what to believe in as so many things were not done.
Picked up the boat a week later, boat idled fine, got on plane fine but bogged when I went to WOT on starboard side. Engine was surging then dropping RPM, then surging, then dropping RPM. Port engine was fine.
Addressed issues with mechanic when I went back with partial payment of bill. Told him I was going to review a/c sea strainer as well as starboard engine issue. Found an error on the bill as I was billed for 3 batteries when only 1 was replaced. Mechanic admitted his mistake when he wrote the bill up. Was he trying to recoup cost of blown sea strainers though???
Reviewed spark plug wires to see if they were properly seated to distributor cap & plugs. Inspected distributor cap, it was last years and was not replaced although I was billed for it.
Flame arrestor was not cleaned.
Those, amongst some other things, are my issues. Not sure what to believe in as so many things were not done.
Geo(GVP) said marine plug wires almost never go bad. They're SS wires with heavy silicone insulation. Not like auto that may have carbon powder wrapped paper instead of actual wiring. Unless you can see sparks at night(dark), don't waste your money. Had this boat 18 years now and haven't changed plug wire yet.
...and if your new mechanic doesn't come up with a good excuse, don't go back. In fact, learn how to do your own tune-ups and other basic maintenance.
...and if your new mechanic doesn't come up with a good excuse, don't go back. In fact, learn how to do your own tune-ups and other basic maintenance.
find a different mechanic. Tell him exactly what was supposed to have been done so he can check all the work.
I agree wires rarely fail IMO because they don't operate in the same hot environment as they do in cars. They do get corroded on the ends and that can lead to spark over and burning of the insulator.
Everyone should inspect their wiring at night with the engine running. Do it while everything is working fine so you have a base line idea of what iit should look like. What you will see is rather amazing really
I agree wires rarely fail IMO because they don't operate in the same hot environment as they do in cars. They do get corroded on the ends and that can lead to spark over and burning of the insulator.
Everyone should inspect their wiring at night with the engine running. Do it while everything is working fine so you have a base line idea of what iit should look like. What you will see is rather amazing really