T

<SPAN id=_ctl1_ctlTopic_ctlPanelBar_ctlTopicsRepeater__c tl1_lblFullMessage>Ok, here is the deal, and I hope that someone has some good advice for me. I am new to saltwater fishing, and I just got my boat in May. I took it out for the first time, and I was running about 20 miles out at about 3\4 throttle when all of the sudden it was like I just throttled the boat all the way down and shut her off, the problem is that I did not touch the throttle (it had also started to idle very rough the prior few times that I had started the motor earlier in the day). I was very fortunate that I was running with another boat, and he towed me in. I took it to the mechanic that I had hired to check the boat out before I bought it, and I paid him to do the 100 hour service on it before I put it in the water the first time. I called him the next morning to tell him what it was doing and he said that he would check it out. He called me a few days later and said that it was the high speed fuel pump and that it was going to be expensive. I also had a bad trim switch and asked him to replace that at the same time. The total cost was right at $1100 and he told me it was good to go. The very next time that I took it out the very same thing happened, going about thirty miles per hour and all of the sudden it throttled down and would not idle, but it only did it once and then cranked and ran fine. I went out the very next day and put it in the water and it would hardly idle at all and when I tried to accelerate, it would die on me (the same symptoms as before). I pulled it out of the water and left it at his shop (he was closed). I called him the next morning and he said that he would check it out and if it was the fuel pump it was covered. He called me and said that it was not the fuel pump, but that I had water in my gas tank and this was the problem. He said that it could have come in through the vent, a bad o ring around the gas cap, or a bad seal at the tank. He said that he would need to drain the water off the bottom of the gas tank.He told me that it would be 9 days before he could get to it. I had a friend that told me about another mechanic and I picked the boat up and took it to him (the place was closed when I picked my boat up and I left him a message that he could call me the next day and I would pay him with a credit card for checking it out. The new mechanic that I took it to called me the next day and said that he could not find water anywhere in the engine or gas tank, but what he did find was a water fuel separator filter where the fitting had corrosion all over it and it was not getting a good seal, a small hole in my gas line, and a fuel filter that was old and dirty. He said that the engine was sucking air due to these things and that this was probably the problem all along and that he had doubts if the fuel pump was actually bad. He charged me $75 for this work and the boat runs great (better than it has since I bought it). In the mean time the other mechanic charged me $117 just for checking it out. The new mechanic said that the things that were wrong have been there for a while and should have been caught on original inspection, and then again on the 100 hour service. My question is should I call the original mechanic, call the better business bureau, post his name and just the facts on here? What should I do? My feeling is that I have never owned a boat and this guy seen me coming from a mile away. Your advice is welcomed!

NATEC

Get a 10 micron filter installed no matter what. You failed to mention what the repairs were that cost you $1100. Work with your original mechanic, if he is trustworthy you can build a relationship. Did your boat run fine for the first 20miles offshore? Are you aware of the problems ethanol gas can create? Welcome to boat ownership.

DOUBLE "D" & LV

I would at least call him on it. Ask him why the filter was not changed during the annual service and why there was no water found in the system. See if he will refund the diagnosing fee since it was the wrong diagnoses. Sounds like you may need to stay with your new mechanic depending on how the old one treats the situation.

Tuna Man

And get the old "bad parts" from him...you will have a spare pump. ME...no matter how the first mechanic treats you I'd drop him like a hot rock. I wouldn't trust his knowledge again.....thats me,but I wouldn't stop there.

scm67

Who was it? Theres alot of so called "mechanics" out there that aren't competant. They can't keep any repeat customers so they have to rape everyone that comes through their doors. I've known one or two like that. I'll warn people to stay away from them at all cost. I've got a ton more faith in the guys changing oil at wally world to work on my boat, than I do ina couple of self proclaimed"BOAT MECHANICS" that I've run across. You may save someone else from getting screwed by this clown. If what you said is true, then I don't see it as slander or bashing. Just fact.

There are alot of top notchmechanics in the area and on this forum. Find one you like and stick with him. Even if he cost a little more. It's well worth it. Some of the best in the area frequently answer questions and walkus through diagnosing/troubleshooting all kinds of problems on here. Saving us a ton of money and grief.

I would talk to the first guy,if I could keep my cool that is. Try notto be too confrontational!Hopefully you'll get some money back. I'd use the new guy from now on, and have him test the fuel pump in question, if you can get it. If it is good, it sounds like you have a good case for small claims court if it comes to that. I don't believe insuing people. But,$1100 is alot of money to pay someone just to get screwed. I'd probably persue that one.

No offense meant to the guys at wally world!