honda motors

[jennykatz]

Why are Honda parts so darn expensive . I have been looking at parts that you need for maintenance etc . I looked at a primer bulb it was $ 95 ouch when you can buy a moeller or sierra for $10-25?? . I remember talking to some of the service guys they said merc was the least expensive then Suzuki,then Yamaha and Honda was in the stratosphere . Honda seems way out of whack with parts and prices of motors . How is it out on the west coast ?? It seems boat prices and engines are more money out in seattle compared to florida . and trailers are 2/3 of what they are on the west coast ? and they are aluminum . I wonder if this thread will go anywhere ?

[Wefings]

Jim call me , we treat C Brats right !
Marc

[BrentB]

Yamaha parts are pricey even from online stores.
Engine parts are proprietary and you do not have a choice is my understanding on market forces. There are OEM oil and fuel filters but I still use Yamaha filters inside the motor and for the external fuel filter I use RACOR filters which are pricey, too.

[jennykatz]

Thanks Marc .I started this thread to gain some insight into what engine costs the most to run? E-tec gives their 3yr sales pitch but I would not want to leave the lower unit oil in for 3yrs plus they are very expensive ?

I think all engines have their plus and minus I like the yamaha for cleaning out their engines easy hose fitting I guess all the newer engines have this feature

If we were to rank engines from 1-5or so what would be the most expensive to buy and to fix here's my gut feeling and some experience working with some of the Florida dealers.

most expensive to buy
1- Honda and 2-Evinrude

3-Yamaha

4-Suzuki

5 -Mercury

Now most expensive to fix ? Tell me what has been your experience/

[dave]

I recently had a 100 hour service done on our Honda 150 for $675.

[Sarge]

My previous boat had twin Mercury Verado 150s - for the 100 hour service done by the local dealer's mobile mechanics...$1300 (for both) so in-line with what you paid Dave.

I sold the boat and now have a single Yamaha 225. I'm becoming a big Yamaha fan.

[journey on]

To start off, the 2 ea Hondas on Journey On are good motors. But they do need parts and service.

Tthere are 2 ea separate issues I have with Honda. First, parts. That I take care of by buying my parts through Boats Net Honda Parts. This offers 3 advantages. First they're cheaper, though probably not enough to make everybody happy. Second, they know what they're talking about. Local Honda dealers, and there aren't many, are confused when I start asking for parts, sad but true. And finally they have to order the parts. So, if I try to buy them locally, I have to wait AND pay shipping. From Boat.net, I do pay shipping, but the part is cheaper. And ofttimes the wait is shorter. And I have a higher level of confidence that I get what I need.

Second is service. As chronicled elsewhere, the kicker on Journey On wouldn't start, and I had it serviced at a Honda dealer. When I got it back it still wouldn't start well, but got me through the summer. And the dealer wanted me to bring it back as I was leaving, though I live 1200 miles away. I have it apart now at home, and to be blunt, they didn't do a good job with the carb.

In addition, they charged me the same as a new carb would have cost me from Boat.net. So in the time it took to "service" the motor (a week) I could have ordered a new carb, and installed it myself. And it would have run.

This is the second time a Honda dealer has nailed me for bad service. So, I've finally found a dealer I trust in Long Beach: Avalon Yacht & Boat Sales. But that's 100 mi away, so it's back to doing the majority of the service myself.

Moral: If you find a good Honda dealer, love him to death. And learn how to do your own work.

One question: what in a 100 hr service costs $675? Change the oil and check everything?

Boris

[dave]

Journey On

I asked the same question when I got the bill. I was told Honda parts are more expensive. I live in SW Florida with lots of shallow water and sand. I had both thermostats replaced and of course the impeller. All filters, and lower leg. I don't remember what else,

[starcrafttom]

I don't think there is anything in the modern out board yearly service that anyone, that includes Pat Anderson , here on the board can't do themselves. Your not adjusting valves, which is not hard anyway. your changing fluids, pump, and filters. dropping the lower unit to change the pump is the most intimidating until you do it the first time. I will be doing mine in a few weeks to get ready for winter fishing and crabbing.

[jennykatz]

Tom I agree I usually do the fluid changes ,filters , water seperator etc . I leave the water pump to the pro's . I think all the service places (marina's) charge about $90-115 per hour for labour . I usually do everything at least once a year or every 100hrs (9months) depending on use . Just an example the timing belt for yamaha was $60-75 the Honda was $85 like I said before primer bulb $90 for a Honda Bulb .I used a moeller for $25 instead . I went down the list of maintenance parts and Honda just seemed a 20-30% higher on everything Just my observation .

[Will-C]

The Japanese build good outboard motors but have always had higher parts prices, maybe it's the shipping, maybe they have us over a barrel. But the old boat show adage always comes back to haunts me. If you have to ask how much it costs you probably can't afford it. Check out the little splined washer that goes on after the prop on a Yamaha . That thing is a about the size of a silver dollar and maybe twice as thick and is about 40 bucks. I carry all that in case I drop something while changing a prop. You have to pay if you want to play I guess.
D.D.

[BrentB]

great discussion

A Yamaha bulb is nearly $60
http://www.simyamaha.com/Yamaha_Primer_Bulb_p/6y2-24360-70-00.htm

[journey on]

Brent,

A yamaha primer bulb on boat.net, p/n 6y2-24360-52, is $16.80 at boat.net. Used on 115-300 HP

Your yamaha primer bulb, p/n 6y2-24360-70 is $59.16 at sim yamaha.. It doesn't say on what it's used.

A primer bulb is a pump, just need one that fits the fuel line.

The motto: shop around.

Boris

[wapiti]

In Canada the price for a fuel pump for my Honda90 from my dealer was $186. I ordered two from Boats.com for about the same price plus shipping. Unfortunately there is only one Honda dealer near my place which can service my Honda outboards. So as already indicated by other Brats most minor servicing is done at home.
Wapiti

[BrentB]