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Posts: 186
Location: Waconia, MN | Hoping I could get a little advice. I have an older 4 horse evinrude that has always run very well with no problems. I haven't had a tune up since getting it in 2007. I called the local Marine to schedule a tune up. The gentleman on the phone stated that the tune up would run about $150 and that I would probably need a new water pump since its been that long without being serviced. He stated this would be about another $250. Does this all sound right to you guys? I just want to know that I'm not getting jobbed, thanks!
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | Do not pay that much! Very simple to do yourself. There is another post about this already that is only a few days old. Just look down the page some more. | |
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Posts: 880
Location: New Berlin,Wisconsin,53151 | Can you handle a wrench at all. You need to replace the spark plugs and run some carb cleaner thru the system. You can buy them both at most Farm & Fleeets. | |
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Posts: 3484
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I see you are from the twin cities area...
Both of these projects are something that you might be able to do on your own.
If the motor has not given you any troubles, the extent of a tune-up would be replacing the spark plug, and adjusting the carb, with a long shot of getting decarbonized.
Here is what I suggest: go to your local marine dealer that sells mercury products and buy a can of mercury powertune. It is like seafoam in a pressurized can. With the hood off, get the motor started and warm. Then, set the motor at a higher idle. From there, spray the powertune into the carb throat (you may have to remove an air box first) a little at a time so the motor doesn't quite die, but will sputter. Then, after a little bit of that, spray in more until the motor dies, and continue spraying for another 3 - 4 seconds. Let the motor sit for a half hour or so.
After the half hour, restart the motor (you get to make white clouds for a bit). The motor will blow white smoke for a bit as it burns out the gunk and powertune. Once the motor is clear of all of the smoke, replace the spark plug.
Start the motor back up and let it idle for a bit. If the idle is rough, there will be a small set screw on the front that adjusts the fuel/air mixture. turn it 1/4 of a turn counterclockwise. If it sputters more, turn back to where you started and go 1/4 turn clockwise... If it sputters less, it is getting a better fuel mixture. If it sputters more, then the original position is extremely close to where it should be. The difference in how it runs when you turn that screw should be easily detected.
The lower unit consists of a few more steps, which might involve removing a screw for the shift linkage from the lower part of the engine...not hard, but can be a pain.
If you have time on Saturday and would be willing to bring the motor to hastings, we could do it together if you'd like...
Steve | |
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Posts: 572
| wow, I would take Steve up on his offer. What a nice guy.
I doubt if your motor really requires much more than normal maintenance. Anyway, Steve has not only offered advice, but more than willing to help. Isn't that great to see. Thanks to Steve.
And when Steve sees your motor, it may not require much at all. Good luck. and, I would stay away from someone who says the water pump will need to be replaced...impeller, maybe.....just my 2 cents... good luck.
And, Steve made the comment about if your motor isn't giving you any problems......
We need more people like Steve.
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Location: Des Moines IA | I just did the oil, gear lube, fuel filter and plugs in my 02 Suzuki this year for the first time. It's really pretty easy. Nice thing is, I can run Royal Purple synthetic in her at cost, rather than paying the dealer premium for synthetic oil. | |
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Posts: 3484
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | I should also mention that with the impeller change, a full pump replacement is really only needed if you have somehow had sand pulled up in your intake, which would essentially scour the housing of the impeller making it less efficient. The full pump replacement has the housing, the gaskets, impeller and shaft pin (name of it escapes me right now). So...depending on the condition, the whole thing might need replacement or it might just need the impeller changed and you can reuse the housing.
The impeller replacement requires taking out the bolts that connect the lower unit to the mid-section of the motor (probably 4 or 5 at most). The lower unit will be free at that point save the shift linkage. If the lower unit drops only an inch or so and gets hung up, the shift linkage has a connector that needs to be removed. Once removed, it will come out easily. In many cases there will be a little bolt that sits under the front part of the engine that needs to be removed. If you follow the linkage, it should lead downward to the lower unit, and the other to the shift mechanism(whether it is on the handle, or port side of the motor)
The impeller change itself is a matter of removing 4 bolts for the housing, which then slides right up the main shaft of the lower unit. the impeller then has a little half-wedge "key" that holds it in place. Sometimes this can be tough to remove but essentially the impeller itself will release from that. Then, reinstall the new impeller and key (again, a little pain to do once in a while) reinstall the housing, then reinstall the lower unit.
One major point of note: When reinstalling the lower unit, be sure that the copper tube for the water pump system is placed correctly in the lower unit. I didn't do this one time on a 6hp Johnson motor and ended up taking the entire lower unit back off just to get it right. Attach shift linkage bolt if needed, and fire it up...should be sucking water up well at this point.
So...if you get a bit active and decide to do the job yourself, it is not too hard of a job. My only recommendation is take your time, and if you have a second body around who is willing to help out, the second set of eyes are always a good thing.
Steve
Edited by VMS 4/14/2011 2:19 PM
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Posts: 3484
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | forgot one thing...I never answered the original question...
I would say that when you take your motor to a dealer, you are paying a decent amount for labor costs. Not sure what the going rate is, but I would venture to bet it might be somewhere upwards of $60 - $80 per hour if not a little higher maybe. so...the cost of the tune-up might be a standard amount based upon number of cylinders of the engine. It might also involve lower unit oil change as well. Dealers will charge more for fluids and parts than if you purchased them from the local fleet farm or napa.
The $150 for the tune up does not seem out of line in that regard.
An impeller change is a little more in-depth (so to speak) so it might take a little longer in labor, and if the entire housing needs to be replaced, the dealer will get their cut on the parts as well. Most impeller replacement kits that I have seen for motors of that size are no more than roughly $20, with an entire pump replacement kit running around $35 - 40 or so. combine that with the labor, and $250 isn't too far off in my humble opinion.
Definitely can save some money if you are handy with a wrench and are up to the task. Most people find the first time through is a little more hairy, but after replacing one, It'll seem like there was not much to it in the first place.
Steve | |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | Wow, great offer from Steve!! Parts and maybe a beverage or 2 and it's done. Like he said, I'm not sure if that price is out of range, but if you can turn a wrench at all, then these are fairly simple tasks. Good luck. | |
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Posts: 186
Location: Waconia, MN | yeah, that was an incredibly nice of you Steve. I just wanted to thank you again for letting me come over and helping me get my motor running better than it ever has before! You saved me at least $200 and it was well worth the hour drive to get there. Once again, thank you so much for giving up your Saturday to help me out, there is no way I could have done that without you! You're a hell of a guy! | |
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Posts: 3484
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Derek,
It was my pleasure, and thank you as well for the lures!! I walked away learning something too, which is always a good thing for me. It was a lot of fun meeting you and the extra set of hands definitely came in handy!!
If anything else comes up, don't hesitate to shoot me a call or PM...I'll come your way next time and if it is summer, the boat will come along too. There's fish to catch out your way.
Steve | |
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Posts: 186
Location: Waconia, MN | There sure are, I'll send you a message in a month or so and we should try to set something up. Thanks again! | |
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