We are having a yanmar mechanic do our oil change before our big cruise and would like to know what we should expect in the amount of time it should take him to change the oil and 3 filters.
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Time is relative...
Changing the oil and fuel filters plus bleeding the engine takes me less than an hour and I'm no pro. A mechanic may charge a book rate though that has no relationship to the actual time it takes...
Changing the oil and fuel filters plus bleeding the engine takes me less than an hour and I'm no pro. A mechanic may charge a book rate though that has no relationship to the actual time it takes...
DIY!
If you are going on a "big cruise" you should be doing these minor maintenance items yourself. Filters and oil changing, including the tranny, are the least of the things you should know. IMHO
If you are going on a "big cruise" you should be doing these minor maintenance items yourself. Filters and oil changing, including the tranny, are the least of the things you should know. IMHO
I second Ed's opinion
And, to embark on a "big cruise", you should, among other things, feel comfortable changing belts and bleeding your diesel, none of which are mysterious, but all of which are best tried in non-critical moments. Also, regarding mechanics fees, it is a lot easier and quicker and cheaper to change the oil on some boats than others.
And, to embark on a "big cruise", you should, among other things, feel comfortable changing belts and bleeding your diesel, none of which are mysterious, but all of which are best tried in non-critical moments. Also, regarding mechanics fees, it is a lot easier and quicker and cheaper to change the oil on some boats than others.
Need to Know
Robin, You might have the yard tell you when the mechanic will be doing the work. Then go down and observe the process. Tell them you are going to observe. They have always been very cooperative when I've wanted to be there. You might also want to buy an extra hour or so of the guys time and have him go through some of the procedures like bleeding, belts, stuffing box, impeller, spares to carry, necessary tools, etc. You really will need to know these things if you are going on a trip. Might be the smartest money you ever spend. Les Andersen s/v Mutual Fun
Robin, You might have the yard tell you when the mechanic will be doing the work. Then go down and observe the process. Tell them you are going to observe. They have always been very cooperative when I've wanted to be there. You might also want to buy an extra hour or so of the guys time and have him go through some of the procedures like bleeding, belts, stuffing box, impeller, spares to carry, necessary tools, etc. You really will need to know these things if you are going on a trip. Might be the smartest money you ever spend. Les Andersen s/v Mutual Fun
Thanks Guys
We know how to do an oil change but chose to use a mechanic . We were billed for 3.5 hrs which we felt was way too long. Just wanted some more feedback before we discuss it with the mechanic. Thanks.
We know how to do an oil change but chose to use a mechanic . We were billed for 3.5 hrs which we felt was way too long. Just wanted some more feedback before we discuss it with the mechanic. Thanks.
Sounds like about 2 times what it should.
Robin: That sounds like it was about 2 times what it should have taken. Was he local? If not, you have travel time to and from the shop. We had a fuel filter change, oil change (crank case and tranny), govenor adjustment valve adjustment and some training lessons last year and it all took less than two hours. The fellow had to travel 1.25 hours each way but we split that with two other owners.
Robin: That sounds like it was about 2 times what it should have taken. Was he local? If not, you have travel time to and from the shop. We had a fuel filter change, oil change (crank case and tranny), govenor adjustment valve adjustment and some training lessons last year and it all took less than two hours. The fellow had to travel 1.25 hours each way but we split that with two other owners.
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