Carburetor Cleaning Cost

[wessnapp]

As we get into the cooler months, It's time to start general maintenance on my outboard: 150 Johnson (J150VXSSS).  

What should I expect to pay to have my carbs cleaned?  Any of you in Tampa Bay have a general rule of thumb or going rate?  Not sure if people are charging by the hour or in this case type of job.  

Thanks!

[Georgie]

Wes,

Not to be smart at all, but unless you're all thumbs, carb overhaul is something you could probably do yourself instead of paying for labor.  Gasket kits/solvents etc. are fairly cheap, and with a proper manual the procedure is relatively basic.  I'm on the east coast though so I can only recommend my local guys if you want it done professionally, but I can inquire re: standard rate if you want for comparison?

[wessnapp]

As long as I can remember, every time I attempted to do something on my own it would result in having to hire a mechanically minded person to rectify both the original problem and the one I created.  Following a manual is just something I can't do.  However visual and live demonstrations I'll remember for life.  Strange how individual's minds work differently.

Once I have been shown what to do and have the confidence that what I am doing is correct, I would love to clean the carbs on my own.  Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who is willing to take the time to show me how to do it.  

I have been calling around and found a very regular response:

3-4 hours of labor
$95 - $110 / hour
Parts are $30/piece - I need 6

boats.net sells the kit for $21/piece including tax and shipping.

[seabob4]

C'mon Wes, you can do it!!!

[Georgie]

OUCH!!!     Those numbers certainly help me appreciate why I just keep fixing my old OMC crossflow clunkers instead of spending money on a new engine.  I could NEVER afford to have the professionals maintain a new engine w/digital/computerized electrical system and fuel injection.  A friend of mine had to replace two injectors in his Merc a summer ago and I think they were like $80 or $150 each just for the parts!

I understand the apprehension given your past experiences.  For what it's worth, the labor estimates you're getting seem realistic although I'd think they border a bit on the high side.  Anyone who's done enough of these carbs should be able to remove them, open them up, soak in deposit remover, and replace the rubberized parts/gaskets in pretty short order.

I didn't ask earlier.  Are you having problems already, or just trying to be preventive?

FYI - I use boats.net a lot. It's a good, thorough site with a HUGE inventory and very helpful schematics/layout.

[Georgie]

SB-

Ahh, yes.  The ol' "peer pressure" approach.  

[seabob4]

I know Ryan, I know.  Actually, I think Lewis (slvrlng) just did his on his 175, same motor...

[dburr]

 Following a manual is just something I can't do.  However visual and live demonstrations I'll remember for life.  Strange how individual's minds work differently.

Once I have been shown what to do and have the confidence that what I am doing is correct, I would love to clean the carbs on my own.  Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who is willing to take the time to show me how to do it.  

I have been calling around and found a very regular response:

3-4 hours of labor
$95 - $110 / hour
Parts are $30/piece - I need 6

boats.net sells the kit for $21/piece including tax and shipping.

Hasn't one of the Brethren poste a video on YouTube about this? Lewis maybe or was that just a bada$$ sounding motor?

Wes I feel for you uneasiness, my wife is always wondering why I can jack up someone else's house but not my own.. The answer, "I was helping HIM and it's not MY house so I don't care" doesn't seem to cut the mustard..  
Try one carb... Lewis just did this so you are not in it alone.  With a clean work area and decent light to see little parts it really is not a big deal.  There are little tricks like before backing out an adjusting screw, mark it then screw in and count turns till seated so you have an idea where to set the adjustment to start.  When blowing out the needle passage ALWAYS have your finger over the passage so you don't blow the seat across the shop...

You can't break it anymore then it already is so you don't have anything to lose but your time and effort and you will learn something so it isn't a loss..  

GO FOR IT    

It isn't peer pressure, it is moral support.... Yeah, that's it....

[wessnapp]

Bob, to be honest, I would love to do it myself. I just don't trust myself the first go around. I would really need someone to show me how to do it and answer any questions I may have through the process. Watching videos on Youtube have been informative, but I know, with my luck and all, that there will be an anomaly that will need to be addressed. Probably something like having to remove an item that I wasn't expecting or not knowing where and what to clean or what to leave alone or .....etc......

That being said, I am going to order the 6 Carb Rebuild Kits and figure out the way to go.

[seabob4]

Wes,
You know you have our full fledged support.  Between Farley, Capt. John, Bruce, Lewis, and the rest, you can do it!!!  We'll even stand behind you and catch the parts!  

[wessnapp]

Shoot - I'll put a big cooler of beer & ice in the driveway to anyone who wants to stand over my shoulder, catch parts and direct me through the process.

[Georgie]

Wes,

Have you contacted boats.net to verify that the carb overhaul kits are sold per individual carb barrel, and not in pairs, threes or a full set?  Would hate to see you buy more than you need.

[Aswaff400]

wes, andrew's shop is right across from my office, give him a call, he knows me so tell him bruce and aaron sent you,

another person i highly recommend is  Ken Cambell, South Side Marine, 727-460-1255... he services alot of our outboard boats in the high and dry, he also services our work boat which has the EXACT same outboard as yours. his shop is right next to wendys on 4th st and 15th ave south

[slvrlng]

Wes, get a oem manual for your motor. I found mine on ebay for 23 bucks. The carbs on your motor are just like mine, and wingtime's. they are really easy to do. You will need an air compressor and about 4 cans of carb cleaner. I bought my kits from marinengine.com and they ran 17.00 bucks each. I also bought a new set of CDI plug wires and a new in motor fuel filter. If something goes wrong while I am running now I feel like I can fix most problems on the motor. The main thing about the carbs on these motors is they are simply a tube with a couple of needle valves in it. The butterflies and all the moving parts are actually underneath them and normally a simple spray with the cleaner and you are good. save the money and learn something! Trust me if I can do it so can you!

[slvrlng]

See, 15.88 each that is a deal! Those are also OEM BRP kits with the floats!

http://www.marineengine.com/newparts/pa ... ne=&Model=