Drive Service Begins

Willhound

In another thread last summer I outlined my issues with an upper drive seal leak that was present when we purchased the boat and was eventually "fixed" by the broker/dealer.
By fall I was losing drive oil again and in consultation with our mechanic had decided to do a full service this spring before launch. I'll then know it's done right and I shouldn't have to worry about it for hopefully several years.
Next week he's going to pull the drive and at minimum we're going to change out a full upper seal kit, gimbal bearing, all bellows, cable seal,water pick up etc.
I think hes being very reasonable at $1400 all in. If the upper yoke looks bad we'll change that too for a total of $1850. Included in those prices is the labour to install a new Mercathode anode and full sacrificial magnesium anode kit that I procured myself.
I also discussed as an add on having him touch up and repaint the drive and if the shift cable looks the least bit worn we'll add that on also. With any luck I should be good for a while. Fingers crossed.

Handymans342

What about your trim/tilt indicator pucks?? Its critical they only trim up to a certain point which should be checked and measured

Willhound

They're in proper limits and working great. I have pretty good faith in this particular mechanic, he helped me out quite a bit as a first time cruiser owner. If they need adjusting we'll do it.

Handymans342

Just make sure he checks it 

Dream_Inn

It all sounds like you are getting everything needed done!  Make sure the alignment is checked since the drive will be off again.

Willhound

Good advice, thanks guys.

Handymans342

Report back with findings

Willhound

Yes Sir! Of course. 

Handymans342

You would be surprised at how many marinas just pull the drive and never check these pucks. I know mine wasnt from 2 different marinas

reneechris14

Price seems fair ,I have seen other posts around the same value. 

Willhound

reneechris14 said:

Price seems fair ,I have seen other posts around the same value. 

CDN $ so discount by about 27% for USD. 

rasbury

I'd say a great price...

Willhound

I think so too. He's quoting 9.2 hours labour without the yoke change and 10.1 with which he tells me is almost half of what the book suggests and I believe him. He stands by his quotes too. I can tell you that he quoted and billed 3 hours to trouble shoot and repair an electrical/no start issue last summer when I can confirm (because I was there for a lot of it) that he spent about 7 hours on it overall. In his words " I don't charge for my own mistakes...it was something that I should have thought of and checked sooner". 

rasbury

Yep, you have a good one. I had a similar experience with a fellow that worked on mine...on the coupler he quoted me I think 1600 bucks (maybe a little more) and handed me a bill for 1300...I was shocked.

Dream_Inn

Treat that mechanic well, because they're hard to come by and he is treating you well!

Willhound

Oh yeah! He gets Cuban cigars and my handmade Port!