Motor in shoprun around about repairs

[jbeeler]

"Hey there everyone...just a n

"Hey there everyone...just a newbie looking for input. I am a new boat owner, I have purchased an 18 ft Lund with a 1997 Mercury four stroke. It was my bother-in-laws and I have used it for years without a problem. last month it started to idle really rough, I took it to my local marina and asked them to investigate. Well they said it would take a week....four weeks later and a phone call telling me I need new gaskets for all four carbs, O-rings and a nozzle, all which will cost over $600.00 so far!
Am I getting abused???
Jbeeler"

 

[galamb]

"Going rate for a carb job is

"Going rate for a carb job is 200 for the first and 150 for each one after that. So your quote sounds about right for 4 carbs.

A manual is 35 bucks, and the parts you have listed would run about 100 bucks total. Alternately, complete carb kits sell for around the 100 dollar mark (for each carb) for most 4 strokes.

That's the one fact that Merc forgets to advertise when they talk about how quiet and fuel effient 4 strokes are - the fact that the maintenance costs on these is astronomical and unlike a 2 stroke which can take some neglect, a 4 stroke is not forgiving..."