Marine Mechanic In Rogers/bentonville Area?

[J-Doc]

I'm looking for a really good mechanic with reasonable rates in the Rogers Bentonville area (or greater area if you know a great one).

I've been to only one so far and I'm just needing second opinions cause we've all got opinions.

[spahog]

Wolfe Boatworks - second to none IMO.

[fishinwrench]

Uh oh...somebody got a scary estimate

C'mon, Lets hear about it.

[J-Doc]

Uh oh...somebody got a scary estimate

C'mon, Lets hear about it.

I have low compression in one cylinder (70psi) and the other three cylinders are at 100-110psi. Last fall, all cylinders were at 120psi range and within 5-10psi of each other.

So, I called just to get a rough ballpark range for seal/ring replacement, warped cylinder replacement, or worst case scenario. I got the worst case scenario and that was it. I was told over the phone $3,500-$3,800 to overhaul the motor due to cracks in the cylinder wall. The mechanic felt it would definitely be a damaged wall because I paid another mechanic to “decarb the motor”. He said large carbon deposits will break up and then scratch the cylinder wall and the decarb will damage the rings and seals.

The mechanic has 30yrs experience and I was told he is really good. Sounded to me like he would “fix it right” the first time and didn’t want any callbacks or chance of warranty work and wanted to go to the limit right from the start.

[skeeterp]

Bella Vista Marine. Mark runs the place, Ricky is a great mechanic, they will do you right.

[fishinwrench]

Ok I understand. During the process of teardown and inspection the tech needs to come to a solid decision on what caused the cylinder to fail in the first place, guesses do not count. The theory that the decarb job caused the cylinder to score is nothing but a guess IMO. (at least at this point).

Going by the estimates you quoted I first thought it was a 6 cyl. outboard, then I reread and noticed that it is apparently a 4 cyl.

So if they aren't replacing ALL of the pistons then in my opinion they are a little high, since you should be able to refresh all 4 holes and replace all 4 pistons for under 4000.00 (parts and labor)and that should also include a fresh water pump and fuel/oil system overhaul.

To be totally honest it kinda sounds like you were quoted the price of a replacement powerhead, instead of a rebuild.

Can I ask specifically what make, model, and HP the outboard is ?

[fishinwrench]

Oh, as far as the difference in compression of your other 3 cyls from the 120 of last season...was that taken on the same compression guage ?

I have 3 compression guages and they all read differently. The important thing is that they all are within 15% of each other USING THE SAME COMPRESSION GUAGE.

[Stump bumper]

My best advice is to buy a repair manual and take as a learning experince and get dirty if you have friends that are good at repairs and buy some beer that helps too (don't bring out beer until repairs are complete).

The best place I have found for parts is King's Marine they have the lowest mark up and I can get parts there for same price as iboats without the shipping and if they don't have it, they will get it in one day. (479) 636-5242.

Good luck

[fishinwrench]

My best advice is to buy a repair manual and take as a learning experince and get dirty if you have friends that are good at repairs and buy some beer that helps too (don't bring out beer until repairs are complete).

Sure, if you have the proper tools and the confidence. Just remember that there's no warranty on DIY projects

Can a person read a fishing manual and have the same amount of success that you do, without the actual experience you've gained from doing it for years ?

[Gilly]

Grease up to the elbows is the way I learned, seriously. The first engine I ever built was a big block Chevy. Kinda scary when you're all done and have nuts/bolts left over. But if you have the patience it's gratifying, imo, to be able to do it.