Boat Mechanic

[Stump bumper]

My boat has been down for a while now. I finally have two dimes to rub together and would like to get someone to look at and if in reason to fix it. The problem is the Motor ( 2004 115hp Mercury)runs great on the hose, but as soon as I put in the water it dies. I rebuilt the carbs and pretty sure it is an electrical problem. I only have about $250 to spend right now and first off just need someone to check the compression and run a fire check. The problem I have had with shops in the past is they give me a quote then when I go pick up the boat there is another $100-$200 in other stuff they have found.

What I need is a mechanic that can check it out and understand that is all I have if I give the OK.

I am not looking for the "best guy in town" just someone who understands I am working on a limited budget and needs some business right now.

Also someone who would tell me what is wrong (for a diagnostic fee) then understand I might have to do the labor myself due to lack of funds.

[J-Doc]

You can check the compression yourself. Its easy and you can buy a compression tester for about $20-25 at Autozone.

I would suggest posting your question on iboats.com before taking it to a mechanic. This sounds like a common issue and there is probably an easy solution. Knowledge doesn't cost a thing either. They are a really helpfull bunch and I've learned a lot from them.

As for mechanic, Mobile Marine repair. Tell him you were referred by "Bozo" and he should know who that is. If not, tell hime Joe Ryals buddy and that will clue him in. Joe has spent enough cash there he has paid for his daughters tuition! Haha! Daniel is a good guy and understands money can be tight.

[Stump bumper]

I have been to iboats several times, lead me to rebuilding the carbs, that did no good. Now I need to find out what electrical compenent is bad since they are too expensive to start replacing one at a time and I had suggestions on iboats that covered the entire engine even though no one had the same problem before.

I do have the abilty to take any part off, or take the engine apart, but I need to know what parts are bad. I don't mind paying someone for the work but just hate when I have to pay for work I have already done or can't afford at the time.

Last time I had someone work on my boat they took out brand new plugs threw them away because "they" liked another brand and charged me another $100. Today I talked to a shop that wanted to rebuild the carbs right off. When I told them I had already done that their reply is they would do it "right". Last time I will go there, they could be right but to assume anything I do is wrong and say it to my face is not the way to get my business.

[Feathers and Fins]

I dont know who to use around here for a low budget but the problem you described I have had happen.

Works great on the hose but on lake it doesnt, Had that happen and it ended up being my water pump Hose had enough pressure to keep the water flow good but take it off and the it didnt... changed out the pump and all was good again.

Hate to say it but with the motors the way they are today it may need to go into the shop and have them find by elemination whats really wrong. But check the water pump first. Its gotta Pee just like you and mee.

[Stump bumper]

I dont know who to use around here for a low budget but the problem you described I have had happen.

Works great on the hose but on lake it doesnt, Had that happen and it ended up being my water pump Hose had enough pressure to keep the water flow good but take it off and the it didnt... changed out the pump and all was good again.

Hate to say it but with the motors the way they are today it may need to go into the shop and have them find by elemination whats really wrong. But check the water pump first. Its gotta Pee just like you and mee.

It does pee when I put it in the lake, but dies as soon as I put it in gear. Sound anything like your problem?

[Feathers and Fins]

No mine's alarm went off within a couple minutes of being in the lake and then shut down without going in gear and the peeing was very obviously slowed down. I could put it in gear but the alarm would go off then it would shut down..

[wormer]

Have you tried running it off a auxiliary tank with good gas. I bought my boat used and rebuilt the carbs, replace the fuel pumps and all gas lines. It still would not run right on the water. I had to drain the fuel tank twice to get rid of the water in the tank. Just a thought.

[Guest]

I've had the same experience with boat motor mechanics.

Could your problem be an old powerpack??

That has been the issue with several motors that Ive owned..

They would run half throttle and die when I tried to plane off.

[Bird Watcher]

Brad McCaslin at McCaslin's marine in Carl Junction is the most honest, stand up boat mechanic I've ever found. I've went to him several times over the years with your same scenario. He's not alwaws the mechanic I've used due to location (sometimes I've lived quite aways from him) I've also used mechanics in Grove and Joplin, but He's who I go to if I have something going on like you described. He'll stop at whatever point I ask him to, just check what I ask him to. He's ok with me doing some of the work and him doing the rest as long as I talk to him about it first. The only downside is that he can have a long waiting list. You might be able to get in to his shop this time of year though. I'd call him and talk to him about it.

I had the same exact symptoms as you one time and it was my stator. You can check that with a multimeter off your solenoid if you know what voltages you should see. I agree with J-Doc too. Compression is easy to check and it's apparent if you have a problem. It's also the first thing I'd check. Everything else is moot if that's your problem. Trust me, unfortunately I've scorched three outboards in my time.

[J-Doc]

Sorry you had a bad experience at iboats. Truth be told, rebuilding the carbs was still a good investment and could prevent other issues before they were worse. Plus increases your fuel economy/performance.

As for the issue at hand, its an elimination game. You could buy a repair manual and it can walk you through the thingw to check for but unless you are experienced or a marine mechanic, it seems too scary to do it yourself without knowledgable guidance telling you what to do and that its ok. That's why I stopped wotking on mine. I didn't feel comfortable doing it anymore.

As for who to take it to, make some calls and gauge for yourself. I agree the guy that insulted you unintensionally did not mean to insult you, its just that he has probably seen so many shade tree mechanics in his day he assumed the worst vs giving you a chance. The thing is, he could spend your money chasing other solutions and not fix the problem. If your carb rebuild was the issue, he would get the blame and no one would be happy so he prefers to do the work himself and know that he has repaired the motor and you are happy.

I would say, save your money up a bit more and take it to someone when you have a bit more cash and can get everything fixed right vs fixing what you can. I need a rebuild so I know this is not what you want to hear but it does pay to fix it right. I got bad advise and now I need a rebuild where it could have been much cheaper to fix my problem earlier. Now a rebuild is inevitable.

Oh and five mechanics will tell you five different reasons for your problem. It just takes the right mechanic to spend your money wisely.

Good luck on your journey and please share yiur experience if it was good.