www.iFourWinns.com https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/ |
|
Rainwater in engine compartment https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=11945 |
Page 1 of 1 |
Author: | RedRocketSS [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:29 pm ] |
Post subject: | Rainwater in engine compartment |
As you can probably guess, our boats engine compartment was filled up with rainwater due to the plug left being in. The boat came out of storage in late April and sat until early June, outside, with the cover on it. We got a lot of rain in that time span. The plug was installed before storing the boat and I didn't even think to remove it when it was brought back home. Anyway, we drained the water, cleaned out the engine compartment well, and let it dry out. The water was roughly halfway up the block. I checked the oil which looked perfect and was right at the full mark. Went down to the basement, grabbed the battery, put on the muffs, lowered the drive, and fired it up. The boat started started right up as it always does and idled perfect. I let it run for 5 minutes or so and shut it down. Checked the oil again, and it was still at the same mark. To be on the safe side I called our local boat servicer who we generally use for winterization, and asked if there was anything else that should be checked out. They suggested pulling the lower unit to check out everything as well. I figured might as well have them do it since it had not been done in a few years anyway. To make a long story short, they went ahead and replaced the starter, trim pump, and pulled the lower unit. They did all of this without consulting with us first which frustrated me since I told them that the starter and everything else worked. I realize that the starter or pump could go bad in the future, but are these necessary items that need replaced right now? I realize the starter being submerged in water is not good, but figured that is something I could replace myself when the time came. Anyone have thoughts on this? The bill is over $1,000 so it's not been easy to swallow. |
Author: | 230 Mike [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 1:38 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Rainwater in engine compartment |
IMO no shop should ever do any work without prior authorization. Having said that, if the starter on my boat had been submerged I would definitely want it replaced. You know that if it fails, it isn't going to happen sitting on the trailer. The trim pump should have been fine other than maybe replace the relays on it which are cheap. If the drive hadn't been serviced in a few years then yeah, that should be done, but there's nothing about what happened here to make it any more urgent, unless they were concerned about the gimbal bearing. I believe I'd have some words with them. |
Author: | RedRocketSS [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 1:56 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Rainwater in engine compartment |
Thanks for the reply Mike. I certainly agree that the starter would have been on borrowed time if left alone. It could have made it several more years, or died out in the water this weekend. My Dad actually talked to the place yesterday and he mentioned that they replaced some relays, but he also said the trim pump. I have not been able to talk to the shop yet as every time I have called today it's rang non-stop, or it's busy. I have not been able to confirm what all was done, or has been done. Only the cost of ~$1,000 from what they told my Dad. Apparently the starter and trim pump parts were $250 each. I find that a little outlandish. |
Author: | 230 Mike [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:51 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Rainwater in engine compartment |
Actually for a marine starter that's about right. On the other hand, that's way too much for the relays on the trim pump - but way low for a whole new pump. So what they actually did to the pump is a bit of a mystery. |
Author: | LouC [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 3:31 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Rainwater in engine compartment |
I've bought 2 new inboard starters and paid about $150-170 for them each. The trim pump I'd question, because normally its mounted above the level of the water as you describe it. |
Author: | RedRocketSS [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 3:57 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Rainwater in engine compartment |
Well I got a hold of them. They did replace the trim pump due to it having water in it, and he said it was intermittently working when they tested it. Strange how it was working just fine in my driveway. They tried replacing the relays at first but that didn't work. He also said that they were shocked it didn't cause MORE damage. I know for a fact the starter is the original one, so I am sure it was only a matter of time before it went. I believe it could have lasted us this year, but who knows. I still need to talk to my Dad to see what he wants to do about it since the boat is technically his. I really need to start doing my own maintenance on the boat like I do with all my vehicles. It wasn't my choice to take it into the shop, as everything seemed to be working properly in the driveway, but Dad wanted to make sure everything was good to go. Oh well, live and learn I guess. |
Author: | 230 Mike [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 4:25 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Rainwater in engine compartment |
Well, better safe than sorry - but there's still no excuse for them doing work (especially such expensive work) without going over it with you first. That would be infuriating. |
Author: | pet575 [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 2:42 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Rainwater in engine compartment |
Agree on the unauthorized work. However, I wouldn't have trusted that starter after it got hot a couple of times so replacing it was definitely the right thing to do. |
Page 1 of 1 | All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ] |
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/ |