Raw Water Hose Replacement

[stavidlin]

So I finally got my boat back from the mechanic and he ran the diag and put it out on the water.

He got error code 3; low water pressure.  

I just changed out the impeller.

He has isolated it to the raw water hose that goes from the Bravo III outdrive to the engine.

This is what he quoted me:

To change out the raw water hose and insert and replace the block pressure sensor.

Parts required:
Block pressure sensor
Drive gasket kit
Raw water hose
Insert x2
Gasket

Total Parts $170.02
Labor $ 1377.50

15 hours labor.  

I guess the outdrive has to come off and he has to work inside of it.

Does that sound about right?  This has not been my year.  

On an aside note, the engine was running a little hot so i decided to change out the thermostat.  The only thing i found was the outer ring.  Someone had punched it out so it was running without a thermostat.  I know it wasn't corroded out because it looks like it was cut off.  Why would someone do that?   

[alswagg]

What the He**!  You are being ripped off bad.  Yes, to replace the raw water intake hose in the transom area you have to remove the outdrive, but that is easy. 1 hr R&R if you are slow.  2 hr R&R to replace the intake hose if you are slow.  3 Hrs should cover it in labor.  I would also check the pump to transom hose, they get pinched somtimes.  Heck even if you had to pull the engine, 5 hrs R&R is it. 
Too bad you are so far away.  I would be glad to help out.  Why is the Mechanic replacing the sensor????  Al

[stavidlin]

What the He**!  You are being ripped off bad.  Yes, to replace the raw water intake hose in the transom area you have to remove the outdrive, but that is easy. 1 hr R&R if you are slow.  2 hr R&R to replace the intake hose if you are slow.  3 Hrs should cover it in labor.  I would also check the pump to transom hose, they get pinched somtimes.  Heck even if you had to pull the engine, 5 hrs R&R is it. 
Too bad you are so far away.  I would be glad to help out.  Why is the Mechanic replacing the sensor????  Al

Al, i think it would be cheaper for me to drive it up to you and let you do the work!  I'm tired of getting ripped off with these mechanics here in NW Florida.  and one of them cut out the thermostat to make it run cooler.  I wish I knew who did that.  Looks like i will be doing some shopping around.

[alswagg]

sent you a Private message.  Al

[stavidlin]

sent you a Private message.  Al

Asked the mechanic why his quote was so high and he insists that it is a complicated process, he has to remove the bell housing, all sorts of cables, etc and it takes a while "to do it right". 

I asked another mechanic how much to replace the raw water hose from the bell housing to the transom and he quoted me a more reasonable price. $400 for parts and labor.

Wish I could find a marine mechanic that is consistent here in Ft Walton.  Sad Sad Sa :angry:d.