ProfitOfDoom wrote:
Some of you may have seen another thread started by me about buying a 99' 245 sundowner. Well everything looks alright and before I paid I asked them to give it a inspection,so far the engine side of things is good "really nothing out of the ordinary is wrong" However they said they see some dry rot in the bellows and will need replacing. I forget the exact total but it was around a $1,000-$1,200 which included all bellows,seal kit,shift linkage and what ever odds and ends needed to complete the job. Ok,I thought that was a bit high,,had buddies bring their boats t the shop for bellows and it only ran around $700-$800 but these were mercs ,so im not sure if there is a difference and make it cost that much more?
But the problem that hit me the most was that he said,when replacing the bellows they would remove a housing and have to drive out two pins and there is a good chance they could crack that housing while removing the pins,And if they do it will be a extra $800 to replace the housing. Does all this sound right?
I mean the boat was decent,havent bought it yet,I can still run away and only have to pay $270 for the work that was already done. But considering all the work and the price I would pay for the boat I would still be just under blue book and know everything is new back there.
I guess Id just like to know if cracking the housing is a common problem when doing this job,,and does the repair cost sound about right?
***It also includes anodes,drive fluid****
The only pin to remove is the rear one; the one that holds the end of the trim cylinder rams to the outdrive the other end does not need removing ). I've never heard of one of them being seized in place. Regarding the shift linkage, if nothing is wrong all that's needed is a stainless split pin; $0.50 in the US ?
Seal kit? If they are replacing all seals, plus anodes and gear oil the quote seems reasonable based on UK prices!