How long ought a good mechanic take...

sighmoon

sighmoon

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How long ought a mechanic take to sort out a cooling issue?

Let's assume a worse case scenario - there's a blockage somewhere, and it takes a long time to find, involving stripping all the sea water hoses off the engine, and putting them back on again. In this case, engine access is excellent, and he doesn't have to dismantle the accommodation to get to anything.

The mechanic I'm using seems to be working in lawyer hours. Or maybe my expectations were overly optimistic.
 
sighmoon said:
How long ought a mechanic take to sort out a cooling issue?
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How long is a piece of string?
A lot depends on the engine and how familiar the "mechanic" is with that engine. E.G. on a Bukh20/24/36 the first place to look is the pump - easy to get at. The next place to check is the raw water injection pipe - not so easy to get at - Flywheel removal required. Then one should check the stat housing and exhaust manifold and then if all else fails remove the exhaust manifold. Finally if fault / blockage still not found then it is a matter of removing the head.
So to answer your question anywhere from an hour to 2 days
 
sighmoon said:
How long ought a mechanic take to sort out a cooling issue?

Let's assume a worse case scenario - there's a blockage somewhere, and it takes a long time to find, involving stripping all the sea water hoses off the engine, and putting them back on again. In this case, engine access is excellent, and he doesn't have to dismantle the accommodation to get to anything.

The mechanic I'm using seems to be working in lawyer hours. Or maybe my expectations were overly optimistic.
Click to expand...
All done in a day, maximum,but I would be pleased to sort out a cooling blockage in a few minutes,if its just a plastic bag or something simple. If it is a chronic problem of crusty heater exchanger tubes,needing careful labour,at least a day. Sounds like there is a lack of comms between you and the mechanic? There is a limited amount of pipework to inspect before a diagnosis!
 
I'm being told 20+ hours (@£50 / hour!).

The problem was in some of the tubes, so he hasn't had to take the head off or pay too much attention to the heat exchanger.

He tells me this half way through, so I can't see that I have much choice.
 
So what you are paying for is knowledge. He has found the problem and told you what it is. If he had done a quick job and charged you and not fixed the problem you would have been unhappy as well. Its because its a boat and people with boats have money. There are less people with boats around who use them so there is less work for the technicians. Suppose you could have had a look yourself and saved some money.
 
ribrage said:
If its easy why not do it your self ?
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In this case, the boat is 5 hours drive from home, and I had a reasonable expectation I'd be treated fairly. Lesson learned.

I have no objection to paying a professional for a service - that's what capitalism is about, and is how people have jobs. I'm not disputing that his mechanical skills are greater than mine, only that the hours billed may be exagerated.
 
Well, I reckon he knew your circumstances. Had you over a barrel & plain & simply conned you. As you say, lesson learned.
 
sighmoon said:
I'm being told 20+ hours (@£50 / hour!).

The problem was in some of the tubes, so he hasn't had to take the head off or pay too much attention to the heat exchanger.

He tells me this half way through, so I can't see that I have much choice.
Click to expand...

£1000 to find and clear out some cooling hoses, jeez. i charge £25 an hr and i reckon i could of had that solved in 2 or 3 hrs.!
 
The lesson you should have now learned is to ask for an estimate and ask for a call with an update if the cost is going over a certain figure.

I've just had a special engine part made and some alloy welding done and am having some TIG welding done on a very thin sump pan at the moment. (I'd prefer to do it myself with brazing, but don't have gas gear any more.)

He has been able to give prices in round figures before I hand the job over and he has stuck to them.
 
Sighmoon,

try to think of it from the other side.

I have carried out plumbing work for people who wanted to kiss me all over for turning up after a phone call, but when the job is done and there's no longer water pouring through the ceilng they quibble about the - quoted - bill.

Being available at short notice is expensive to the mechanic, plus his tools and knowledge weren't free to him.
 
Seajet said:
Sighmoon,

try to think of it from the other side.

I have carried out plumbing work for people who wanted to kiss me all over for turning up after a phone call, but when the job is done and there's no longer water pouring through the ceilng they quibble about the - quoted - bill.

Being available at short notice is expensive to the mechanic, plus his tools and knowledge weren't free to him.
Click to expand...

But £400 a day (based on 8 hr day) for (presumably) a one man band is seriously taking the piss
 
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