How long to service an engine?

scottie said:
how many boatowners would be prepared to pay a garages hourly rate for someone working on their boat?
Click to expand...
Not so long ago when I was involved with a marine engineering company I was struck by the differential in hourly rates -my garage costed labour at nearly £100 per hour, while we struggled to get boat owners to accept our guys at £35 per hour. Not quite like for like, but still a heck of a big differential.
 
Resolution said:
Not so long ago when I was involved with a marine engineering company I was struck by the differential in hourly rates -my garage costed labour at nearly £100 per hour, while we struggled to get boat owners to accept our guys at £35 per hour. Not quite like for like, but still a heck of a big differential.
Click to expand...

Garage is providing premises and factilities. Diagnostic tools etc. A marine engineer is a bloke with a van.
An annual service for my car is not 5 main dealer hours.
 
sighmoon said:
Happy New Year!

How long would you expect it to take to service an engine, (i.e. change all fluids and filters)

It's a new engine with all round access. Let's assume that the engineer is sat waiting for it to warm up before he changes the oil.

I've my own rough idea, but I'm flabbergasted by the number of hours that have appeared on my invoice.
Click to expand...

Think yourself lucky they charge by the hour rather than by the day. :)

I tend to spread it out a bit. I changed the gear box oil just before Christmas. Took less than an hour - but that included a couple of breaks to make then drink a cup of tea - no point in hanging on too long in an uncomfortable position when you can sit down for a break.

Engine oil & filter - probably 90 mins but I could do it faster if I had a better pump to suck out the old oil. Again, took a tea break whenever I felt like it.

It was about 12 months ago that I last changed the coolant, but I think it was about 2 hours elapsed time - open drain - do something else whilst coolant runs out - close drain and refill - repeat a couple of time to flush - mop up engine bilge. Very little actual work in the time but a professional accounting for his time would have to charge for it.

Seriously though, you shouldn't find it difficult to do that level of servicing yourself. Think of the money you'd save. And perhaps more importantly you'd know your way around the engine better if you had to sort something out at sea.
 
scottie said:
How many people are expected to work a 9 1/2 hr day with no breaks
Click to expand...

Certainly I've never been paid for my 30 minute lunch. Most of my jobs have allowed me to drink and eat at work so often I don't actually take lunch. Heaven forbid that I'm away from my work to get a coffee/tea morning or afternoon.

I thought it was pretty normal. Do people really get time our in the morning and lunchtimes for coffee and social?
 
Changing the coolant. Now that is a new one on me. Not something I do in the two hours....or ever. Tightening head bolts is another one I would not even dream of doing. The engine is still fine after 10 years.
 
I had my Perkins 4236 , fully serviced , belt , oil ,etc and checked all connections and hoses. sorted out some wiring for me ,
old oil out, checked batteries with fluids and found one bad cell and replaced with a new battery I had on the boat and ran the engine a few times to get to temp.
Even spend about 40 mins on trying to get the old generator started , but had access issues ,
arrived at 9 , started at 9.30 finished 1.30 , let a clean boat , no lunch , no cig breaks and gave me a few pointers
Travel expenses were broken down on invoice
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top