1st motor service...

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I own a fairly new C-Dory Venture 23 with the Honda 150. I am going to schedule the 20 hour motor service ( I let it get to 40 hours).
The charges I am quoted are @ $280.00. I will be leaving the boat off at a dealer on the trailer.
Does this sound reasonable? Just a oil and gear case change, and general check up on a new motor!

In younger days I saved $ by doing my own car oil changes, but now am wiling to pay $50.00. But getting close to $300.00 seems excessive. Any thoughts?

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Other than changing the engine and gear case oil, and oil filter (which are easy to do) and a cursory inspection, what else are they going to do? Perhaps hook it up to a computer for a diagnostic test?

Unless it is something really specialized that needs to be done, I like to do the basic maintenance stuff myself as I then know it was done, and not by a trainee/flunky who these tasks are usually assigned, that doesn't really care.
 
I insist on doing my own service just to insure that I know it was done and done reasonably right. That not only includes the oil/lube changes but also lubricating the various throttle/shift joints and the anodes (exhaust included) and changing spark plugs.

If one does it , the cost is low and you tend to do it both more often and you notice the condition of everything. When the gear oil turned white, I took the engine in to a dealer to change the seals. So, you do what you feel confidant doing and take it to a GOOD repair service for the rest. And it will take time to find a good dealer; I went through several. Honda doesn't have a bunch.

BTW, I use silicone spray to lubricate the moving joints. It should penetrate. And for the oil filter, I get the one which is for the Accord car. Cheaper and equivalent at your local auto parts store.

Boris
 
I felt bad that I let it go to 40 hours, but looking at the oil it is very clear. I don't allow my cars/truck to go long between oil changes.

I am going to give it a try, doing the change myself. I have more time than$ !

I will check out u-tube videos for examples.
And thanks for all tips.
 
Get the official shop manual, full of great info about your motor, worth every penny especially the day you will have to start messing with your water pump impeller.
 
Can confirm, that's a deal.

Paid more than twice that per motor for the 100 hour service on our Suzuki DF150AP's.

Decided to buy the service manual from Browns Point Marine for $100, and will do the next 100 hour myself.
The parts kit alone is about $130 per motor, then add on top of that oil/lube/grease.
 
I have always done my own services. If there is a problem with the engine down the line, you need your receipts. (Some feel that when an engine is under warrantee that they should have a "dealer" do the work.

I do use "genuine" Honda O rings and seals. I use quality filters.

Be sure and do the lower unit--also do the zerc fittings--check the entire motor over, I use "Corrosion" block spray on the outside of "bright" items under the cowl.

I just finished rebuilding the Sea Star hydraulic cylinder--Mostly installed, when the rain started this PM...Bleeding tomorrow or early next week.

You are paying "shop rates"--which can be up to $200 an hour. I think that in our area most shops are $125 an hour. Independent mechanics are "cheap" at $50 an hour...A real bargain if you get a good one!

I do have the "Honda Shop" manual for my 150, but I also have the Seloc manual, which I believe is more than adequate for the average boater, and a bit cheaper.

Clymer also makes manuals for some of the motors.
 
Using genuine Honda parts when you replace something is a very, very good idea. Or, if you own another brand of outboard, use their genuine parts. You have a heck of an investment in that motor, at least I do, and these outboards don't need that many parts. I use Boats.net since they give some discount on parts and usually have them in stock.

Also I try to use the best service items I can find. For example: Bosch claims a 99 % filtration of particles >20 microns. That's better than Fram. So for the extra $1, I'll buy Bosch.

Other aftermarket service parts may be cheaper, but they're made cheaper. So use Honda etc. parts. They were good enough for Honda to use them to originally assemble the engine, whey not use them to keep the engine going?

Boris
 
It actually really bothers me that they charge shop rates for an oil change. I understand when the work is technical, requires skill and experience, and is difficult to perform. But come on, $280 for an oil change that they will probably assign to the mechanic's helper/lube tech/boat detailer/bearing packer at 10 bucks an hour to complete is borderline criminal. It's not very hard to do yourself - probably way faster than hooking the boat up, driving to the dealer, having them do it, and then picking it up and towing it home.
 
That would be me as it is more work getting it into the dealer than it is just doing it myself. And, that includes just about everything. I'm guessing Jack's motor repair service is done by our very own Jack in Alaska :-) Great minds think alike!
 
journey on":1bz9doha said:
Using genuine Honda parts when you replace something is a very, very good idea. Or, if you own another brand of outboard, use their genuine parts. You have a heck of an investment in that motor, at least I do, and these outboards don't need that many parts. I use Boats.net since they give some discount on parts and usually have them in stock.

Also I try to use the best service items I can find. For example: Bosch claims a 99 % filtration of particles >20 microns. That's better than Fram. So for the extra $1, I'll buy Bosch.

Other aftermarket service parts may be cheaper, but they're made cheaper. So use Honda etc. parts. They were good enough for Honda to use them to originally assemble the engine, whey not use them to keep the engine going?

Boris
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But you might want to consider where you get your Honda parts from. Getting them from a marine store will cost a lot more for the same part than getting them from the local auto dealer or motor sports store. A lot of the Honda engines are derived from their car engines and can use a lot of the same parts. I used to get my Yamaha O/B parts from the local Yamaha motor sports dealer (moto-cross bikes, Atvs, etc.). Even if they don't have them in stock, they usually have access to all the manufacturer's parts whether they regularly sell that piece of equipment or not.
 
Well, ssobol, the Honda 150 that Judy owns is 15 years old and has ~1000 hrs on it. In those 15 years, it hasn't used many parts, so I might as well use the same parts and I'm interested in getting the right parts, soon. Not that the boat has been used recently, but I have hopes.

So in San Diego there are several Honda outboard dealers I've visited and had to argue with. I left them alone. Boats.net has answered my questions when I've called and sent me the right parts. So put not going to local non-outboard dealers up to a fear factor. And when I've needed service, I tend to go to LA. That's where I can find a dealer who really knows Honda outboards. For instance, I mentioned above that I had the gear case resealed. No way in heck was I going to pull the prop drive shaft out to replace the seals, so I dropped the gear case and hauled the unit to a dealer in Inglewood. Worked well and my son helped me lift the unit back in place.

I think my problem is that on-line parts dealers have taken over the parts game, leaving little incentive for the local dealers to stock parts. When the dealer has to order a part, they also want freight and tax. I might as well order it on-line, save some money and not have to drive back to the dealer. It's a sorry commentary on the service industry, but there it is.

Boris
 
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