I'm really enjoying this series of videos as you do jobs for cash. I'd be as bad as you pricing jobs. I think there's definitely a case for an initial "have a look at it" fee before giving an estimate for the repair. Also a pricing quote range would help, if it's a nightmare you request the higher end and if it goes smoothly, the customer feels they get a better deal. There are fewer guys like you these days fixing things, just like there are fewer roof thatchers - more demand that supply lets them charge more for specialist work. You need a "manager". Hehe. Thanks for your filming and rambling and fixing.
My friend pays me about $100 for your described "an initial "have a look at it" fee" every time he has a problem with his boat. I always feel like he is overpaying me in the moment, because sometimes it only takes 15 minutes, then I realize later on he is saving himself hundreds if not thousands before going to a shop with more tools than me. I can't price my jobs for friends either, I always under charge. Over the years I've tried charging somewhat closer to a real shop and I always feel super guilty for it, which probably means I should never be a pro mechanic. In any case, I always seem to be able to get things to run!
I always enjoy your content. This new direction is your best move yet. Were you, at some time, a dealer's mechanic? Your knowledge and comitment to quality parts makes me think so. I've saved worse motors for friends but you are right on the money. This is barely a parts motor. Being located in the northeast on salt water I deal with corroded motors all the time. Keep up the great content and comments. See you on the next one, Dave
My mechanic gave me a 2009 50 mercury 2 stroke for free. Said he didn’t wanna deal with it. I replaced the tilt tube , replaced the starter replaced the lower unit and installed new water pump , thermostat, tilt & trim relays and had all 3 carbs cleaned and new gaskets put on. Now she runs strong. When I brought it to his shop he was shocked that I got it running. When he showed me the pics of the motor before I picked it up , I thought it would be a lost cause.. I slowly worked on it and brought her back to life. I’m glad I didn’t give up
Having just borrowed my friends $60,000 ski tow boat (for the 6th time in last 10 years), and had the alarm go off leaving the dock, our boating vacation this time was like time #3 where we parked the boat in the closest cove and stayed all day, and did the same on day 2. We also had to get it towed to the dock on time #2 when the start battery was dead from a faulty isolator. So yeah, it is important to have a good running boat. My old FourWinns with Evinrude 150 outboard never left us stranded. I bought it from someone before xmas when they were evicted from their rental, and knew I got a screaming good deal...if the engine ran. It turned out it didn't want to start until I cleaned the flywheel so the mag produced good spark, and ran great ever since.
Everyone who thinks a mechanic can do magic to a pile of junk for half free, should watch this video! I hope you will keep filming these repair/diagnostics/attempt of repair videos of customer motors. Interesting AF to a person who always has grease under his finger nails.
I had bought a new tracker V14 tinny got a free trailer and put a used johnson 15 on it and a new Bimini top. Was cheep to use and a blast on lake mead. 3 years and tried selling it. not many lookers until i cleaned the outboard and clearcoated it. lol sold it the next day
Yes, unfortunately there are shady people when it comes to selling used boats, cars and such. Especially to folks who don't know a lot about boats. I recently bought a 2000 Wellcraft 160. Nothing wrong with the motor after I disconnected the VRO and went to a mix. However, he couldve been more forthcoming in that the livewell system leaked like a sieve. I finally narrowed it down to a bad stuck open sea cock that the live well pump was connected to. Folks, if the sea cock handle says it's shut off, that don't mean it actually is. Got a 3/4 compression plug coming today that'll serve as a temp fix til I get the valve changed out.
Always the highest quality content Brandon! I especially enjoy hearing about your customer relations and how you deal with these kinds of “challenges.” Working on friends’ stuff is even more fun. Quick question, I’m working on a Honda carburetor now that has a plastic needle seat that is leaking around it. Guessing it’s a bad o-ring, but it doesn’t want to pop out easily and I’m terrified of breaking it. Have any sage advice on how to get it out?
I think your doing the right thing by fixing for others! Around here where I live these boat doctors are very rich. An you have more talent in your pinky than they do in their body! Great video!!
Its missing alot to be electric stsrt to fully convert it I have both the 35 and 25 of those models good engines really tough with some love the engines dont give me any problems oh that pullstart shit is evil. its the worst to troubleshoot engine issues plus that tennis elbow its only good for an emergency bad starter or solenoid oh btw great job buddy
On those motors you need to pull choke 3 x to squirt gas into it and choke closed. Choke mechanism needed for cold start or Nada. Also the kill switch is often faulty you will get no spart
Some people want everything for nothing if a marina well if you can get a marina to look at it it would take them months and the price would be astronomical because everything that goes into the water is way more expensive than land vehicles of any kind and good luck on 300 bucks. Great videos though.👍🤘
Not charge! This is way people think a tech is worth nothing. We should be paid for every minute. I have never seen a carpenter, plumber, hvac tech work for free. Why in the Transportation field, do we work for free.
I think I might have told the guy The he'd be looking at about 300 parts 300 labor. Then offer to buy the motor for $100 and he could put that toward a running 25HP For 5 or $600
Such " get it to work for a low budget" customer request is typical of people that have picked up engines on the curbside or bought it for parts. The only thing I'll accept to do for a fixed amount is a visual inspection along with basic compression and ignition tests. That usually allows me to tell the customer if it appears as an economically feasible project, period. I flatly refuse to bear the financial risk of fixing an engine that I know nothing about. Regards !
I know a mint boat like that with those low hoirs (if it works) would sell for a decent amount of money. He will probably end up buying it and flipping it for 3 to 5 k
Need your help, after installing a new replacement of water pump on 88hp spl johnson....water pump is pumping water to top to find out there is water leak on top of engine near the flywheel....what is the problem and what to look for to see the source of the water leak
That happens soooo many times and it makes me wonder if its hot or what ? I usually just get the motor no cash ! lol. That one has a shallow water drive , just dont see many 35hp with that mostly 25 and under , must have changed the transom bracket also .
Yeah, but they were available as an add-on kit. 9.9/15s, and 20-35s I see them on often enough. The tag on the brackets is for the 35hp, powerhead plug is the 25.
@@BrandonsGarage around here the shallow water brackets are rare on motors over 25hp , isnt the C.I. the same on a 25 and a 35 ? i know the 9.9 and 15 are .
@@BrandonsGarage i have a 79 and 80 -35hp motors and none have the bracket ? strange , must be a local thing. Do you have any videos on Merc Mariners 20hp ? just got a set of them and i never worked on them before !
I'm really enjoying this series of videos as you do jobs for cash. I'd be as bad as you pricing jobs. I think there's definitely a case for an initial "have a look at it" fee before giving an estimate for the repair. Also a pricing quote range would help, if it's a nightmare you request the higher end and if it goes smoothly, the customer feels they get a better deal. There are fewer guys like you these days fixing things, just like there are fewer roof thatchers - more demand that supply lets them charge more for specialist work. You need a "manager". Hehe. Thanks for your filming and rambling and fixing.
You have them authorize a budget. And a "ill call you if it goes over" If you come in under budget they are always stoked!
My friend pays me about $100 for your described "an initial "have a look at it" fee" every time he has a problem with his boat. I always feel like he is overpaying me in the moment, because sometimes it only takes 15 minutes, then I realize later on he is saving himself hundreds if not thousands before going to a shop with more tools than me. I can't price my jobs for friends either, I always under charge. Over the years I've tried charging somewhat closer to a real shop and I always feel super guilty for it, which probably means I should never be a pro mechanic. In any case, I always seem to be able to get things to run!
I always enjoy your content. This new direction is your best move yet. Were you, at some time, a dealer's mechanic? Your knowledge and comitment to quality parts makes me think so. I've saved worse motors for friends but you are right on the money. This is barely a parts motor. Being located in the northeast on salt water I deal with corroded motors all the time. Keep up the great content and comments. See you on the next one, Dave
Love the series! Love the angle that the money / profit brings in. Very funm please keep documenting!
Enjoying this “getting paid” series :-)
O yeah!
Soon he will have to get another tub for all the money
@@-Viceroy- I’ll look after the full ones for him 😂😂😂
I've been away for too long. Feels like being home again watching your work. Thanks for contributing to my happy place.
My mechanic gave me a 2009 50 mercury 2 stroke for free. Said he didn’t wanna deal with it. I replaced the tilt tube , replaced the starter replaced the lower unit and installed new water pump , thermostat, tilt & trim relays and had all 3 carbs cleaned and new gaskets put on. Now she runs strong. When I brought it to his shop he was shocked that I got it running. When he showed me the pics of the motor before I picked it up , I thought it would be a lost cause.. I slowly worked on it and brought her back to life. I’m glad I didn’t give up
Having just borrowed my friends $60,000 ski tow boat (for the 6th time in last 10 years), and had the alarm go off leaving the dock, our boating vacation this time was like time #3 where we parked the boat in the closest cove and stayed all day, and did the same on day 2. We also had to get it towed to the dock on time #2 when the start battery was dead from a faulty isolator.
So yeah, it is important to have a good running boat. My old FourWinns with Evinrude 150 outboard never left us stranded.
I bought it from someone before xmas when they were evicted from their rental, and knew I got a screaming good deal...if the engine ran. It turned out it didn't want to start until I cleaned the flywheel so the mag produced good spark, and ran great ever since.
I don't know why I never thought of a small impact driver on my lower unit drain/fill plugs and tilt trim fill plug. Doh!!
Everyone who thinks a mechanic can do magic to a pile of junk for half free, should watch this video!
I hope you will keep filming these repair/diagnostics/attempt of repair videos of customer motors.
Interesting AF to a person who always has grease under his finger nails.
Honesty always gets rewarded!
I had bought a new tracker V14 tinny got a free trailer and put a used johnson 15 on it and a new Bimini top. Was cheep to use and a blast on lake mead. 3 years and tried selling it. not many lookers until i cleaned the outboard and clearcoated it. lol sold it the next day
I would not even try to get out with a boat poweted with that piece of junk.
It's not worth getting fixed. You were right not to go too far.
Yes, unfortunately there are shady people when it comes to selling used boats, cars and such. Especially to folks who don't know a lot about boats. I recently bought a 2000 Wellcraft 160. Nothing wrong with the motor after I disconnected the VRO and went to a mix. However, he couldve been more forthcoming in that the livewell system leaked like a sieve. I finally narrowed it down to a bad stuck open sea cock that the live well pump was connected to. Folks, if the sea cock handle says it's shut off, that don't mean it actually is. Got a 3/4 compression plug coming today that'll serve as a temp fix til I get the valve changed out.
One day that Riverfront Property will arrive!!
Always the highest quality content Brandon! I especially enjoy hearing about your customer relations and how you deal with these kinds of “challenges.” Working on friends’ stuff is even more fun. Quick question, I’m working on a Honda carburetor now that has a plastic needle seat that is leaking around it. Guessing it’s a bad o-ring, but it doesn’t want to pop out easily and I’m terrified of breaking it. Have any sage advice on how to get it out?
90 degree ice pick thingee/dental tool thingee?
I think your doing the right thing by fixing for others! Around here where I live these boat doctors are very rich. An you have more talent in your pinky than they do in their body! Great video!!
I love that he left the paper towel cleaning the bench, hilarious!
Sometimes the truth hurts, but it's easier to rip the bandaid off quick.
Its missing alot to be electric stsrt to fully convert it I have both the 35 and 25 of those models good engines really tough with some love the engines dont give me any problems oh that pullstart shit is evil. its the worst to troubleshoot engine issues plus that tennis elbow its only good for an emergency bad starter or solenoid oh btw great job buddy
On those motors you need to pull choke 3 x to squirt gas into it and choke closed. Choke mechanism needed for cold start or Nada.
Also the kill switch is often faulty you will get no spart
If you call me on Sunday you automatically get charged more.
I really like the ( if you're going to do it, do it right, mentalities) seems to be a good winter time project
Some people want everything for nothing if a marina well if you can get a marina to look at it it would take them months and the price would be astronomical because everything that goes into the water is way more expensive than land vehicles of any kind and good luck on 300 bucks. Great videos though.👍🤘
Not charge! This is way people think a tech is worth nothing. We should be paid for every minute. I have never seen a carpenter, plumber, hvac tech work for free. Why in the Transportation field, do we work for free.
One more job, and riverfront we come!!!
I think I might have told the guy The he'd be looking at about 300 parts 300 labor. Then offer to buy the motor for $100 and he could put that toward a running 25HP For 5 or $600
It would be interesting to see if he does a follow up with you.
The fuel line connection fell off, no fuel going in.
What state are you in? I would love to pay you to work on my outboard!!
Such " get it to work for a low budget" customer request is typical of people that have picked up engines on the curbside or bought it for parts. The only thing I'll accept to do for a fixed amount is a visual inspection along with basic compression and ignition tests. That usually allows me to tell the customer if it appears as an economically feasible project, period. I flatly refuse to bear the financial risk of fixing an engine that I know nothing about. Regards !
Great video
But I would have thought you try to make it kick over
I wouldn't have been able to give up, even for days and for free. I think he has too many projects going on, lol.
That's stand up of you not charging the customer
Your one small step closer to the river and one large step in your business acumen .
I know a mint boat like that with those low hoirs (if it works) would sell for a decent amount of money. He will probably end up buying it and flipping it for 3 to 5 k
Brother. You shouldn’t work for free There should always be a minimum charge for just looking over the motor
I got a 1988 johnson 9.9. needs a water and fuel pump. last time it was used in 2012. Is it worth anything? or should i just give it away?
I HAVE A 35 JUST LIKE THAT....BUT A REAL 35...LOL...LONG SHAFT....TILLER ...PULL START...IT'S HARD TO FIND HONEST PEOPLE THESE DAYS
The fuel line was not connected while you were pulling cord.
Matt Walsh is a verb now!!!????
Need your help, after installing a new replacement of water pump on 88hp spl johnson....water pump is pumping water to top to find out there is water leak on top of engine near the flywheel....what is the problem and what to look for to see the source of the water leak
Well that's new. This is probably going to have to be a tomorrow video.
That happens soooo many times and it makes me wonder if its hot or what ? I usually just get the motor no cash ! lol. That one has a shallow water drive , just dont see many 35hp with that mostly 25 and under , must have changed the transom bracket also .
Yeah, but they were available as an add-on kit. 9.9/15s, and 20-35s I see them on often enough.
The tag on the brackets is for the 35hp, powerhead plug is the 25.
@@BrandonsGarage around here the shallow water brackets are rare on motors over 25hp , isnt the C.I. the same on a 25 and a 35 ? i know the 9.9 and 15 are .
@@BrandonsGarage i have a 79 and 80 -35hp motors and none have the bracket ? strange , must be a local thing. Do you have any videos on Merc Mariners 20hp ? just got a set of them and i never worked on them before !
Well Dave, the shallow water bracket was standard on my Canadian '92 Johnson 30 hp and appears as such in the OEM service manual. Regards !
@@danielrobert7181 is that a canada service manual , because mine dont show for a 35hp , 25 and 28 hp it does !
If you have a 300$ budget you shouldnt be boating
Sounds like the reed valves are bad.
On the couple pops and fireballs it did it sounded almost like the timing was backwards.
@@mjodr it will be interesting to see what Brandon finds when he pulls it apart.
You're right junk.😢😢😢😢😢