Engine servicing costs?

phoenixpete · 09 March 2016, 08:07

Trying to find someone to do a full service on my Honda BF90D including a printout of engine diagnostics,hours etc. I would need a mobile mechanic to do the work at the WPNSA in Portland. I had a quote from Golden arrow marine in Poole which was £528.64 + vat and 2 hours at £65 +vat for travel expenses.

I just think this is far too much money. Not only the service cost but £156 for travel!!! from Poole to Weymouth!

I just got my Pick up serviced for £289 and they service the whole truck not just the engine.

What are peoples thoughts and opinions on this price? Any better ideas? Places?

Pikey Dave · 09 March 2016, 08:37

Just to play devils advocate, comparing vehicle servicing to outboard servicing is a non-starter, boats are in an economic league of their own. E.g. You can buy a decent brand new car for the cost of an outboard, & it will come with a cabin, 4 wheels & a radio😏 Re. The travel costs, his time is time, regardless of what he's doing, he could argue that travelling is more expensive than time spent " on the job" after all, he's got fuel & vehicle costs to factor in. You want him to come to you so you pay for the service, you could always save yourself £165 & take the boat to him😄
Nobody ever said that boating was cheap.

phoenixpete · 09 March 2016, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Just to play devils advocate, comparing vehicle servicing to outboard servicing is a non-starter, boats are in an economic league of their own. E.g. You can buy a decent brand new car for the cost of an outboard, & it will come with a cabin, 4 wheels & a radio😏 Re. The travel costs, his time is time, regardless of what he's doing, he could argue that travelling is more expensive than time spent " on the job" after all, he's got fuel & vehicle costs to factor in. You want him to come to you so you pay for the service, you could always save yourself £165 & take the boat to him😄
Nobody ever said that boating was cheap.

Yeah i know

just letting off a bit of steam really. Just think they take the michael, just because we have a boat doesn't mean we are millionaires

I was interested to see if any one had any suggestions of people or outfits to consider and their experiences of costs etc.

Phil M · 09 March 2016, 11:09

I had the same last summer for my 20 hr service. By a year old, and due another service, it was still only at 25 hours. I have decided to skip the one year and go on the anniversary of the 20 hour instead (it was a crap year weather wise last year hence the low hours). My car costs half as much and does 18-20 months between services!

Captive market I guess.

Phil M

andyjcox1 · 09 March 2016, 11:09

It is a lot and there are certainly cheaper people around but I can recommend the guys at golden arrow in Poole. They have worked on my boat. I have gone with cheaper before but you do get what you pay for.

Iankristy · 09 March 2016, 13:49

Do it yourself? I paid about £120 from memory for plugs, engine/gear oil and gear oil pump, fuel/ oil filter and impeller for a mariner 90 4str. Wasn't too tricky. You could drop into a marine mechanics with boat and get a readout for an hours labour. Save your self nearly £400 👍

Xk59D · 09 March 2016, 14:07

be careful skipping either the year or hours if in warranty!!!!

check your warranty conditions for when things need done or it may come back to bite you.

jonp · 09 March 2016, 20:17

Outboard dealers often go by the hours the manufacturer states it should take to do a service rather than what it really takes, which is normally half that time.

I chose not to go through my Yamaha dealer on my new Yamaha and use an independent mobile outboard mechanic who has a far better reputation than any of my local authorised dealers.

By doing this I've voided my 6 year warranty but at the same time cut my service costs down to 1/4. Just like the Honda 4 stroke I have great faith in my motor as do the companies giving them 6 year warranties over here which is why I'm willing to risk any major problems.

I also clock around 400 hrs per year which equates to 4 services making my savings more worth while.

By the way I owned a Honda 90 which I sold with over 3000 hrs of faultless use apart from once getting water in the fuel which wouldn't be covered under warranty anyway.

Jon

jonp · 09 March 2016, 20:22

Just to add most decent mobile mechanics don't mind you watching to see how to do it yourself or if you just want to learne how to do a part service like oil and filter. Things like impellers and checking all the anodes on the power head Etc I would rather leave to the mechanic.

Jon

Tim M · 09 March 2016, 20:38

That sounds like a lot! Close to £800. Shop around. A small one man band will be considerably cheaper than Golden Arrow who have workshops, staff wages etc to pay for. I just paid £55+vat for a diagnostic printout at my local Yamaha dealer, so that shouldn't really add much. If you are a competent DIYer then doing it your self is very feasible. You'll save lots of money, know its all been done, and learn lots about your engine in the process.